Pacers (25-52) at Celtics (47-30) Game #78 4/1/22

[RJD1974]

Team looks same as early in season again , struggling without the defense and confidence Williams brings . Back to being a 5th seed without our real center …same as years past .

Sure looks like that in the first 2 games without Rob (not counting the Toronto game).  Not showing anything close to the dominance they were exhibiting.  I'm not convinced they can't be better than they've been these past 2 games.  For one thing, Marcus thinks he can (and should) shoot again.  It'll be a good sign when he's back to passing up the 3.  Unfortunately, 2 games in a row he hit a couple of early 3's which seems to change his mindset entirely.

Um, he took 9 shots for the game. He wasn't forcing anything. Other than one late-clock heave, all his threes were either open or wide open. He just wasn't hitting them. And that's okay.

[ETNCeltics]

I think the starters are looking forward to some days off, and that's taken some of that nasty defensive edge off. Plus, looking back to a few weeks ago, we don't seem to match up well with this Indy team.

[trickybilly]

Team looks same as early in season again , struggling without the defense and confidence Williams brings . Back to being a 5th seed without our real center …same as years past .

Sure looks like that in the first 2 games without Rob (not counting the Toronto game).  Not showing anything close to the dominance they were exhibiting.  I'm not convinced they can't be better than they've been these past 2 games.  For one thing, Marcus thinks he can (and should) shoot again.  It'll be a good sign when he's back to passing up the 3.  Unfortunately, 2 games in a row he hit a couple of early 3's which seems to change his mindset entirely.

Smart is like Charles Oakley. If you are the opposition, you hope they hit an outside shot or two early so they fall in love with it and stop doing the things that hurt you the most - offensive rebounding for Oak.

Wow. TP for the most random comparison I've ever seen here