Celtics (47-28) at Raptors (42-32) Game #76 3/28/22

[liam]

People are getting so mad over a game where we don't have 4 starters. Did some players like GWill and Smart make dumb mistakes and force it? Definitely, but that's because they were forced into a position that is clearly not their role.

People are frustrated because that game was winnable with maybe at TO at the end of regulation or at the end of OT.

[hpantazo]

Hard fought performance without 4 of our starters. Credit to these Celtics, they had this won if it wasn't for a blown layup at the end by White.

[Sophomore]

Hard fought performance without 4 of our starters. Credit to these Celtics, they had this won if it wasn't for a blown layup at the end by White.

We missed four free throws the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. Hit even one and win it in regulation…

[kraidstar]

Kind of annoying to see so many “choke” criticisms right now. This game was gravy for the bench unit. I’m fine with it.

Safe to say after tonight I don’t think anyone will be concerned to see the tough, fearsome, well-coached Raptors in rd 1 if it shakes out that way.

These things aren't mutually exclusive. The C's bench was good but blatantly panicked at the end. White, Smart, Grant, and Theis are experienced enough that they should have better composure.

Maybe so but I’m a little stunned at this board’s reaction to a schedule loss that turned into an inexplicably close game. This was a SEGABABA on the road against a playoff team, wasn’t it? Don’t understand the despair.

It looked like we really had it won. Would’ve been another great story about our improbable rise - beating the Raps in their building missing four starters?! Having that disappear stings.

Exactly.  Our boys played valiantly tonight in what would have been a massive upset. Losing is a tough pill to swallow.

[hpantazo]

Trying to look at the big picture and the realistic perspective that Tatum and Brown sat out to tonight, going from 1st to 4th in one night really changes our prospective 1st round matchup in a very good way. Just saying.

[nickagneta]

Fun game. Proud of the performance. This told me a lot about the makeup of this team and Ime's influence on it.

[Roy H.]

Lol @ folks outraged right now.

Our bench + a bad Marcus took a playoff team to the final bell, on the road on the second night of a back to back.

every right to be outraged.  doesn't matter who was available.  when a team has a chance to win, particularly in this kind of situation, they need to be given the best chance possible and the coaching decisions down the stretch and OT were lacking (to be kind). 

credit to the bench for even being in this but the win was there for the taking with smarter play and smarter coaching

By all means, pound away in impotent rage because your vastly outmanned team came up just short after giving maximum effort for 53 minutes.

it'll match your impotent smugness and comfort in a loss that should have been a win.

Who cares?  Our bench lost a game to a playoff team’s starters.  They were exhausted and playing roles they weren’t used to.  They played their asses off, losing to a good team.  Why should anybody be mad about that?

[blink]

Lol @ folks outraged right now.

Our bench + a bad Marcus took a playoff team to the final bell, on the road on the second night of a back to back.

every right to be outraged.  doesn't matter who was available.  when a team has a chance to win, particularly in this kind of situation, they need to be given the best chance possible and the coaching decisions down the stretch and OT were lacking (to be kind). 

credit to the bench for even being in this but the win was there for the taking with smarter play and smarter coaching

By all means, pound away in impotent rage because your vastly outmanned team came up just short after giving maximum effort for 53 minutes.

This is a sports fansite, Roy. If fans don't have passion then you don't have a site.

I think EVERYONE here wanted the C's to pull out the win.  But there are positive things to take away from this game.  People want to poo poo how we played during some tough clutch moments, but overlook the other good things we did all night?  I mean everyone is entitled to.  But big picture is more important to me.  Our team showed up guys and did some good stuff.  Nesmith seemed to finally look like a player who can contribute in the playoffs.  Theis had a double double, Hauser and Kornet were good in limited minutes.  I hope Ime continues to give our bench some more minutes in the leadup to the playoffs.  With Timelord out, everyone is going to have to step it up.

[hodgy03038]

I am very pleased with the effort this team put up on the road with 4 key players out. Bravo.

[kraidstar]

Trying to look at the big picture and the realistic perspective that Tatum and Brown sat out to tonight, going from 1st to 4th in one night really changes our prospective 1st round matchup in a very good way. Just saying.

Especially with Timelord out. Tough loss emotionally.  But not a bad loss strategically.

[Roy H.]

Fun game. Proud of the performance. This told me a lot about the makeup of this team and Ime's influence on it.

Yeah, it was a reflection of the culture Ime has built.  From man #1 to #17, the team plays with effort.

I don’t understand how any fan can criticize a team that leaves its heart on the floor.

[RPGenerate]

The main problem I saw out there was the severe lack of size compared to the Craptors. Not only is Rob not there, but the lack of Tatum and Horford made us incredibly small tonight. Theis, GWill, and Nesmith isn't a winning formula when you need to get rebounds.

[BruceBanner18]

Trying to look at the big picture and the realistic perspective that Tatum and Brown sat out to tonight, going from 1st to 4th in one night really changes our prospective 1st round matchup in a very good way. Just saying.

Especially with Timelord out. Tough loss emotionally.  But not a bad loss strategically.

If you over look the fact that there was no strategy trying to losw you make an amazing point

[Roy H.]

Lol @ folks outraged right now.

Our bench + a bad Marcus took a playoff team to the final bell, on the road on the second night of a back to back.

every right to be outraged.  doesn't matter who was available.  when a team has a chance to win, particularly in this kind of situation, they need to be given the best chance possible and the coaching decisions down the stretch and OT were lacking (to be kind). 

credit to the bench for even being in this but the win was there for the taking with smarter play and smarter coaching

By all means, pound away in impotent rage because your vastly outmanned team came up just short after giving maximum effort for 53 minutes.

This is a sports fansite, Roy. If fans don't have passion then you don't have a site.

People can be passionate without acting like entitled children.

p--- and moan if the team mails it in.  Cheer them when they bust their hump.  If they come up short, disappointment is natural.  Outrage and scorn isn’t.

[liam]

I'm not frustrated with the players and their effort but Ime just throwing a winnable game away by not taking TOs at the end of the game and the end of OT is just bad coaching.