Celtics (44-28) at Thunder (20-51) Game #73 3/21/22

[Vermont Green]

Pedal to the metal guys !

Give Al the night off.

Agree with this. Theis showing he clearly still knows how to play at an elite level.

I'd think it would be nice to rest Jaylen or Jayson, and give White a chance to start, and give Stauskas some minutes and see if he can defend rotation players.

I don't agree with this.  Maybe rest Al but he really has looked fine.  He is playing his best ball of the season.  Our if someone has a specific injury, but I prefer to let the starters get a nice lead and if it works out, play the starters less but the most important thing is to keep this mojo going.

After the regular season, we will get about a week off before our first playoff game due to the play-in games.  There will be time to rest before playoffs.

this.

no tinkering with the starting lineup because someone takes OKC too lightly.  guaranteed to bite the team in the butt not just in this game but possibly messing with the chemistry going forward for a while

Exactly what I was trying to say.  This beautiful and elusive mojo we have right now is very fragile.  Don't take it for granted.  We have 10 games left, then a week off, then the playoffs.  There is no need to get cute and try to rest people or whatever.  Be smart about it if someone is injured or really needs a rest for a specific reason but otherwise, play every game to the end as if it was a game 7.

[ozgod]

This is the banana skin game where they might subconsciously let up because of the victory margins in the previous 3. And it's a SEGABABA. I want them to play the right way, the way they have been, trusting each other on defense, moving the ball and making quick, decisive actions on offense, and not letting poor offense affect defense.

This might be a game where we see White, Theis, Pritchard and Gwill play more minutes, especially the first two - I'm not expecting much more game time for the deep bench, even if the fans want to see Ime dole more minutes out to them. My sense is that he's not the type of coach that just gives 3-4 minutes to players who he doesn't feel have earned them ahead of others, and he doesn't believe in letting 10 players get on the court like it's a 2K game, and he doesn't use live games to "test out" players - I think he uses practice for that, as opposed to other coaches that might just throw someone in and see if he sinks or swims. He will stick to his rotation but the bench guys in that rotation will get more opportunities.

Of course this is all predicated on us starting the game well. I think he would rather take a win and maintain momentum than treat it like a practice run and disrupt what's been happening.

[slamtheking]

Pedal to the metal guys !

Give Al the night off.

Agree with this. Theis showing he clearly still knows how to play at an elite level.

I'd think it would be nice to rest Jaylen or Jayson, and give White a chance to start, and give Stauskas some minutes and see if he can defend rotation players.

I don't agree with this.  Maybe rest Al but he really has looked fine.  He is playing his best ball of the season.  Our if someone has a specific injury, but I prefer to let the starters get a nice lead and if it works out, play the starters less but the most important thing is to keep this mojo going.

After the regular season, we will get about a week off before our first playoff game due to the play-in games.  There will be time to rest before playoffs.

this.

no tinkering with the starting lineup because someone takes OKC too lightly.  guaranteed to bite the team in the butt not just in this game but possibly messing with the chemistry going forward for a while

Exactly what I was trying to say.  This beautiful and elusive mojo we have right now is very fragile.  Don't take it for granted.  We have 10 games left, then a week off, then the playoffs.  There is no need to get cute and try to rest people or whatever.  Be smart about it if someone is injured or really needs a rest for a specific reason but otherwise, play every game to the end as if it was a game 7.

yup.  9-man rotation is pretty well set.  no need to give minutes to guys who won't get minutes in the playoffs barring a blowout nor a need to tinker with things to see if White can get his shot untracked.  White needs to work on that in the current context of the minutes/role he's playing. 

[Roy H.]

We'll be playing without our two best defenders.  No Smart, no Timelord.

Who does Ime plug into the rotation?  Or does he just go with seven guys?

[SHAQATTACK]

We'll be playing without our two best defenders.  No Smart, no Timelord.

Who does Ime plug into the rotation?  Or does he just go with seven guys?

Nessie and Theis and White play their minutes

[Celtics2021]

We'll be playing without our two best defenders.  No Smart, no Timelord.

Who does Ime plug into the rotation?  Or does he just go with seven guys?

Hopefully Nesmith is able to go, as there are minutes available.  If not, I’m curious which one of the garbage time guys cracks the rotation.  My guess is Hauser.

[Celtics2021]

Here's the Thunder injury report:

Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Dort (shoulder) - OUT
Giddey (hip) - OUT
Derrick Favors (back) - OUT
Ty Jerome (hernia) - OUT
Mike Muscala (ankle) - OUT
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot) - OUT
Kenrich Williams (knee) - OUT

[celticsclay]

Here's the Thunder injury report:

Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Dort (shoulder) - OUT
Giddey (hip) - OUT
Derrick Favors (back) - OUT
Ty Jerome (hernia) - OUT
Mike Muscala (ankle) - OUT
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot) - OUT
Kenrich Williams (knee) - OUT

Now that is Tanktastic!

[Surferdad]

We'll be playing without our two best defenders.  No Smart, no Timelord.

Who does Ime plug into the rotation?  Or does he just go with seven guys?

Nessie and Theis and White play their minutes

Really hope Stauskas gets the nod over Hauser.

[Celtics2021]

Here's the Thunder injury report:

Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Dort (shoulder) - OUT
Giddey (hip) - OUT
Derrick Favors (back) - OUT
Ty Jerome (hernia) - OUT
Mike Muscala (ankle) - OUT
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot) - OUT
Kenrich Williams (knee) - OUT

Now that is Tanktastic!

Yep.  Definitely should hold out SGA tonight.

[csfansince60s]

Wonder who plays/starts tonight.

Al
Theis
GWill (1st off bench?)
JT
JB
White
Pritchard (2nd off bench?)

Who will play from deep bench?

Naismith
Hauler
Stauskas

Like to see all three in spots.

[Vermont Green]

I would start White and Theis with Brown, Tatum, Horford.  That unit is still just fine.  Will be good for both White and Theis to get some run.  For White, maybe starting for a change will change his mojo, give him a different look at the game.

We become a little thin on the bench, Pritchard and GWill the only "regulars" so someone (or two) from the deep bench is going to have to paly some.  That is what they are there for, to play in case of emergency.

Nesmith, Hauser, and Thomas have all been reasonably good when forced to play.  Stauskas and Kornet are vets and should be able to step in and not be terrible.  Should be fun to watch.  If Nesmith isn't ready, no need to rush him.  Let Stauskas and/or Hauser play a little.  Kornet can pick up a few "big" minutes.

[Kiorrik]

Today's the day I realised 80% of why I love the Celtics is Rob and Marcus.

Genuinely disappointed they're out today.

[Goldstar88]

Today's the day I realised 80% of why I love the Celtics is Rob and Marcus.

Genuinely disappointed they're out today.

I agree, but it will be good for Pritchard and Theis to get a bit more burn. Need Smart and Timelord healthy for the playoffs.

[SHAQATTACK]

Here's the Thunder injury report:

Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Dort (shoulder) - OUT
Giddey (hip) - OUT
Derrick Favors (back) - OUT
Ty Jerome (hernia) - OUT
Mike Muscala (ankle) - OUT
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot) - OUT
Kenrich Williams (knee) - OUT

Now that is Tanktastic!

Yeah …..Tanks a Lot for dat