Celtics (50-31) at Grizzlies (56-25) Game #82 4/10/22

[hwangjini_1]

thanks for the season finale thread flc. another tp to add to your well deserved, and impressive, collection.

your break down of playoff seedings was really helpful, i appreciate you laying it all out so clearly.

soooo.... this win or loss really is not THAT important. regardless of where the celtics sit they have to beat some combo of the heat, bucks, and nets in the playoffs. they can do that. this is really a very good team right now.

ideally, the first round opponent is not too tough so that the absence of TL doesn't affect the outcome. but that is my only real concern. if this team plays defense like they have been and play team, aggressive offense, i dont see any team in the east beating them

wow....imagine if i had typed those words back in early january. ha ha ha....folks here would have rightfully asked what i was drinking. 

goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo soon-to-be-playoff celtics!! 

[PAOBoston]

Assuming Philly wins and Milwaukee loses, we either get 2nd or 4th seed depending on what we do with Memphis? So we get the winner of Cavs/Nets (assuming the bucks tank resulting in a tie between cavs and nets) or the Raptors? I really wanted Chicago but it looks highly unlikely now.

Karmic retribution for the Cs trying to manipulate the standings vs the Bucks.

Ours was at least on the segababa, and we didn't rest everybody. They actually played their full roster on Friday after playing us on Thursday, but are throwing the game on Sunday where they absolutely know the situation. Seems a little dirtier and more transparent on their end.

Now if we throw today, then I can say the same thing about us.

I don’t see how they can throw the game today. If they lose and Philly wins, they got to 4th and literally lose HCA. Cs should have just played everyone, beaten the Bucks, and they could have rested everyone today. Instead, today is now a must win.

From what I've read, MIL has the tiebreaker on PHI so can't fall any further than 3, which is obviously super-ideal for them.

From our perspective, 'must-win' is an opinion many don't share. We can either face TOR/MIA as the 4-seed or BKN/MIL as the 2-seed. As I understand it, we are playing everybody today to secure the win, but are also setting ourselves up for the most difficult playoff path. As C21 pointed out, real karma would be BKN losing to CLE in the play-in, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Everyone is seems petrified of Brooklyn but they are a hot mess. They literally might not even win their play in. Cs should do their best to get highest seed and home court advantage. HOme court matters in the NBA during the playoffs.

[bdm860]

Assuming Philly wins and Milwaukee loses, we either get 2nd or 4th seed depending on what we do with Memphis? So we get the winner of Cavs/Nets (assuming the bucks tank resulting in a tie between cavs and nets) or the Raptors? I really wanted Chicago but it looks highly unlikely now.

Karmic retribution for the Cs trying to manipulate the standings vs the Bucks.

Ours was at least on the segababa, and we didn't rest everybody. They actually played their full roster on Friday after playing us on Thursday, but are throwing the game on Sunday where they absolutely know the situation. Seems a little dirtier and more transparent on their end.

Now if we throw today, then I can say the same thing about us.

I don’t see how they can throw the game today. If they lose and Philly wins, they got to 4th and literally lose HCA. Cs should have just played everyone, beaten the Bucks, and they could have rested everyone today. Instead, today is now a must win.

From what I've read, MIL has the tiebreaker on PHI so can't fall any further than 3, which is obviously super-ideal for them.

From our perspective, 'must-win' is an opinion many don't share. We can either face TOR/MIA as the 4-seed or BKN/MIL as the 2-seed. As I understand it, we are playing everybody today to secure the win, but are also setting ourselves up for the most difficult playoff path. As C21 pointed out, real karma would be BKN losing to CLE in the play-in, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Everyone is seems petrified of Brooklyn but they are a hot mess. They literally might not even win their play in. Cs should do their best to get highest seed and home court advantage. HOme court matters in the NBA during the playoffs.

On top of that, there's some interesting stuff going on with the 7-10 seeds, the season could end with several different ties (but all depend on Brooklyn losing today vs Pacers who are on a 9 game losing streak).


4-way tie for 7th (CLE loses, BRK loses, ATL wins, CHO wins). This means Bucks won and not really relevant to C's fans because the highest the C's could be is #3.  Brooklyn finishes 7th.

3-way tie for 8th (CLE wins, BRK loses, ATL wins, CHO wins).  Brooklyn finishes 9th.

2-way tie for 8th (CLE wins, BRK loses, CHO wins, ATL loses).  Brooklyn finishes 9th.

2-way tie for 8th (CLE wins, BRK loses, ATL wins, CHO loses).  Brooklyn finishes 8th.

[SHAQATTACK]

Might as well win the game to tune up for KD and Irving .

You knew in your heart a month ago Nets and Celtics ……opposites attract and we’re hell bent on meeting in the playoffs. 

[PAOBoston]

Might as well win the game to tune up for KD and Irving .

You knew in your heart a month ago Nets and Celtics ……opposites attract and we’re hell bent on meeting in the playoffs.

Feels like it has always been sort of a crash collision. Division rivals. The Ainge/King trade. The Kyrie angle and animosity. The JT/KD relationship. Seems like they were destined to face off.

[FLCeltsFan]

I had assumed that Memphis would be resting players today based on the fact that they are locked into the second seed and in that regard have nothing to play for.  They also had a dominant win last night with all starters playing.  But I was just reading that a win today would give this team the new franchise record for regular season wins so maybe they play the starters and go for the win to make history.  So far none of the starters are on the injury list for rest.

[smokeablount]

I had assumed that Memphis would be resting players today based on the fact that they are locked into the second seed and in that regard have nothing to play for.  They also had a dominant win last night with all starters playing.  But I was just reading that a win today would give this team the new franchise record for regular season wins so maybe they play the starters and go for the win to make history.  So far none of the starters are on the injury list for rest.

That’s good context, thanks FL for the post and the thread. TP

[Goldstar88]

I had assumed that Memphis would be resting players today based on the fact that they are locked into the second seed and in that regard have nothing to play for.  They also had a dominant win last night with all starters playing.  But I was just reading that a win today would give this team the new franchise record for regular season wins so maybe they play the starters and go for the win to make history.  So far none of the starters are on the injury list for rest.

That certainly does make things more interesting. Also, the C’s beat Memphis up pretty good in Boston when they played last month, so they may want to get even at home in front of their own fans, for the last game of the year.

[SparzWizard]

I had assumed that Memphis would be resting players today based on the fact that they are locked into the second seed and in that regard have nothing to play for.  They also had a dominant win last night with all starters playing.  But I was just reading that a win today would give this team the new franchise record for regular season wins so maybe they play the starters and go for the win to make history.  So far none of the starters are on the injury list for rest.

Memphis ain't gonna roll over unlike Milwaukee I see. A'ight. Well may the best team win tonight's game then.

[Phantom255x]

I had assumed that Memphis would be resting players today based on the fact that they are locked into the second seed and in that regard have nothing to play for.  They also had a dominant win last night with all starters playing.  But I was just reading that a win today would give this team the new franchise record for regular season wins so maybe they play the starters and go for the win to make history.  So far none of the starters are on the injury list for rest.

Memphis ain't gonna roll over unlike Milwaukee I see. A'ight. Well may the best team win tonight's game then.

Yes, we see your Ja Morant and raise you a Brodric Thomas! 

[Phantom255x]

Seeing on Twitter, reporters saying Memphis will rest basically everyone including Morant

[Who]

I had assumed that Memphis would be resting players today based on the fact that they are locked into the second seed and in that regard have nothing to play for.  They also had a dominant win last night with all starters playing.  But I was just reading that a win today would give this team the new franchise record for regular season wins so maybe they play the starters and go for the win to make history.  So far none of the starters are on the injury list for rest.

Memphis should go for it. They are young. They do not need to be rested.

I miss the days of Jerry Sloan refusing to rest an old John Stockton and old Karl Malone on the final days of the NBA season. [paraphrasing] "the fans paid good money to see these guys play, so that is what they are going to do".

Resting stars is stealing money from fans as far as I am concerned.

Go out and play. Play hard and play to win.

Especially so for a young deep team like Memphis.

[Goldstar88]

Tim Bontemps: The Grizzlies say Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, Tyus Jones, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams are out and Desmond Bane and Brandon Clarke are questionable for today’s game against the Celtics. If Boston wins, Philly will be the four seed and Boston will be second if Milwaukee loses. – via Twitter TimBontemps

[Vermont Green]

I just saw MIL’s injury report. They appear to be conceding the game. Now what do the Celtics do? 

[Phantom255x]

I just saw MIL’s injury report. They appear to be conceding the game. Now what do the Celtics do?