Poll: Celtics vs. Nets Series Predictions

[td450]

My only concern in this series is if the iso-heavy Nets offense lures the Celtics into playing the same way.  The Nets defense has no chance of keeping up with the Celtics when the ball pops around.  But if KD and Kyrie start making a bunch of iso jumpers, my worry is that our guys try to do the same thing, which will let the Nets off easy.

I haven’t seen them go iso-crazy in months, but the stress of the playoffs may give a chance for those bad habits to show themselves.  Udoka has been very quick with timeouts lately to redirect the team when things aren’t going to plan, and I hope that he doesn’t change that in the playoffs.

Agreed, but this is more than just about the Nets. If we can maintain offensive discipline, particularly when closing games, I think we have the best chance of any team to win the title. Smart and Tatum have to move the ball when it matters most.

Smart can always overreach, and the hype around Tatum right now is worrisome. I hope they understand how much rides on them driving the ball movement.

[Celtics2021]

My only concern in this series is if the iso-heavy Nets offense lures the Celtics into playing the same way.  The Nets defense has no chance of keeping up with the Celtics when the ball pops around.  But if KD and Kyrie start making a bunch of iso jumpers, my worry is that our guys try to do the same thing, which will let the Nets off easy.

I haven’t seen them go iso-crazy in months, but the stress of the playoffs may give a chance for those bad habits to show themselves.  Udoka has been very quick with timeouts lately to redirect the team when things aren’t going to plan, and I hope that he doesn’t change that in the playoffs.

Agreed, but this is more than just about the Nets. If we can maintain offensive discipline, particularly when closing games, I think we have the best chance of any team to win the title. Smart and Tatum have to move the ball when it matters most.

Smart can always overreach, and the hype around Tatum right now is worrisome. I hope they understand how much rides on them driving the ball movement.

I agree in general, I just think if we see these problems it is most likely to show itself vs. the Nets.  None of the other teams in the East are full of players Tatum (and to lesser extents Brown and Smart) might like to have iso-contests with to prove his worth.  The Bucks move the ball, the Heat move the ball, the Raptors move the ball.  The Sixers less so, but I don't see them making the conference finals anyway.  If Tatum can get through this round playing the way he has been, it seems very repeatable for the remainder of the playoffs.

[Vermont Green]

My only concern in this series is if the iso-heavy Nets offense lures the Celtics into playing the same way.  The Nets defense has no chance of keeping up with the Celtics when the ball pops around.  But if KD and Kyrie start making a bunch of iso jumpers, my worry is that our guys try to do the same thing, which will let the Nets off easy.

I haven’t seen them go iso-crazy in months, but the stress of the playoffs may give a chance for those bad habits to show themselves.  Udoka has been very quick with timeouts lately to redirect the team when things aren’t going to plan, and I hope that he doesn’t change that in the playoffs.

Agreed, but this is more than just about the Nets. If we can maintain offensive discipline, particularly when closing games, I think we have the best chance of any team to win the title. Smart and Tatum have to move the ball when it matters most.

Smart can always overreach, and the hype around Tatum right now is worrisome. I hope they understand how much rides on them driving the ball movement.

To me, that is the key word and not just as relates to offense.  We are a young team with a rookie coach (or at least at team of young stars).  There are going to be bad calls bailing out Durant, there are going to be runs by BKN where Kyrie and Durant can't miss, there are going to be stretches where we lose our offensive rhythm.  There are going to be plays where Tatum gets hacked but doesn't get the call.  If we can maintain our discipline through these periods, we can beat BKN.

That is a big ask of this team at this stage of development but this team does have a fair amount of playoff experience.  I don't think it is too much to expect or hope for.  Tatum needs to set the tone.  I know many don't agree with me on this but I don't want to see any posing by Tatum or blowing kisses to the crown.  No complaining to the refs or other negative body language.  I want him to be all business, like Durant is going to be.  I feel this is as important as how many three-pointers he makes.

I think we can do this.  I have not made a specific prediction because I am too superstitious but I feel the Celtics can win this and "probably" will win this.  But it is also going to take more discipline than what they have needed in their recent hot streak.

[footey]

John Hollinger of the Athletic, not known to be a pro-Celtic guy, predicts the Celtics will advance to the finals vs the Suns and lose in 7 games.  Pretty bold.  Hope he is right except for the outcome of the final game!!

[SparzWizard]

John Hollinger of the Athletic, not known to be a pro-Celtic guy, predicts the Celtics will advance to the finals vs the Suns and lose in 7 games.  Pretty bold.  Hope he is right except for the outcome of the final game!!

Sounds like a bold prediction. Celtics beating Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami and then in Game 7 in the Finals? Wow! Do hope we win the championshp tho!

[Vermont Green]

John Hollinger of the Athletic, not known to be a pro-Celtic guy, predicts the Celtics will advance to the finals vs the Suns and lose in 7 games.  Pretty bold.  Hope he is right except for the outcome of the final game!!

Sounds like a bold prediction. Celtics beating Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami and then in Game 7 in the Finals? Wow! Do hope we win the championshp tho!

Game 7 is expected to be played on June 19.  How exhausting.

[Redz]

John Hollinger of the Athletic, not known to be a pro-Celtic guy, predicts the Celtics will advance to the finals vs the Suns and lose in 7 games.  Pretty bold.  Hope he is right except for the outcome of the final game!!

Sounds like a bold prediction. Celtics beating Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami and then in Game 7 in the Finals? Wow! Do hope we win the championshp tho!

Celtics seem to be getting a lot of people picking them to come out of the East and be a shoe in to ease past the Nets.  Not sure I like that.

Does anyone have any gambling insight as to why the Celtics would have higher odds to win the East than they do the championship?

Last I saw they were +330 to win the East and +250 to win the whole thing.  That seems odd to me.

[#1P4P]

I agree with constant ball movement on offense being key to dominating the Nets.

ISO offense is not only a relatively inefficient style of offense, it also allows most of the opposing team to rest on defense.

With 6 of the 8 players in the rotation being low usage players that have been instructed to penetrate and find the open man/shoot a high FG% shot or keep the ball moving, it’s going to be difficult for the ball to stick for long.

I’ve seen Horford turn down wide open looks to make the extra pass, force the defense to work, and take the exact same shot he originally turned down. That right there is great offense and will be the priority above the Jays trying to match KD and Kyrie.

[slamtheking]

John Hollinger of the Athletic, not known to be a pro-Celtic guy, predicts the Celtics will advance to the finals vs the Suns and lose in 7 games.  Pretty bold.  Hope he is right except for the outcome of the final game!!

Sounds like a bold prediction. Celtics beating Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami and then in Game 7 in the Finals? Wow! Do hope we win the championshp tho!

Game 7 is expected to be played on June 19.  How exhausting.

look on the bright side - less time to wait for the C's to start next season

[Donoghus]

Idiot.

Stefan Bondy
@SBondyNYDN
Kyrie Irving is returning (again) to Boston for the playoffs, where he's been Enemy No. 1 among fans. He's over it:

"I hope we could move past my Boston era and reflect on some of the highlights I left at TD Garden that they can replay. Move forward. Just a new paradigm, baby."

[GreenEnvy]

John Hollinger of the Athletic, not known to be a pro-Celtic guy, predicts the Celtics will advance to the finals vs the Suns and lose in 7 games.  Pretty bold.  Hope he is right except for the outcome of the final game!!

Sounds like a bold prediction. Celtics beating Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami and then in Game 7 in the Finals? Wow! Do hope we win the championshp tho!

Celtics seem to be getting a lot of people picking them to come out of the East and be a shoe in to ease past the Nets.  Not sure I like that.

Does anyone have any gambling insight as to why the Celtics would have higher odds to win the East than they do the championship?

Last I saw they were +330 to win the East and +250 to win the whole thing.  That seems odd to me.

I’m guessing they feel the path to the Finals is more difficult than who would be waiting for us if we get there.

[mef730]

Idiot.

Stefan Bondy
@SBondyNYDN
Kyrie Irving is returning (again) to Boston for the playoffs, where he's been Enemy No. 1 among fans. He's over it:

"I hope we could move past my Boston era and reflect on some of the highlights I left at TD Garden that they can replay. Move forward. Just a new paradigm, baby."

Sadly, we have no highlights of him simply giving up in the playoffs.

Mike

[gouki88]

Idiot.

Stefan Bondy
@SBondyNYDN
Kyrie Irving is returning (again) to Boston for the playoffs, where he's been Enemy No. 1 among fans. He's over it:

"I hope we could move past my Boston era and reflect on some of the highlights I left at TD Garden that they can replay. Move forward. Just a new paradigm, baby."

He realises you can't both play the antagonist role and the misunderstood hero role at the same time, right?

[Goldstar88]

Idiot.

Stefan Bondy
@SBondyNYDN
Kyrie Irving is returning (again) to Boston for the playoffs, where he's been Enemy No. 1 among fans. He's over it:

"I hope we could move past my Boston era and reflect on some of the highlights I left at TD Garden that they can replay. Move forward. Just a new paradigm, baby."

You forgot the best part:

Brian Lewis: Kyrie Irving, on if he relished the role of Boston villain after stomping on Lucky: “All’s fair in competitions. When emotions are running high anything can happen, and I just want to go in there with a poise and a composure & not pay attention to any of the extra noise.” – via Twitter NYPost_Lewis

[slamtheking]

Idiot.

Stefan Bondy
@SBondyNYDN
Kyrie Irving is returning (again) to Boston for the playoffs, where he's been Enemy No. 1 among fans. He's over it:

"I hope we could move past my Boston era and reflect on some of the highlights I left at TD Garden that they can replay. Move forward. Just a new paradigm, baby."

Sadly, we have no highlights of him simply giving up in the playoffs.

Mike

touche  -- TP

that's what they should be playing on the Jumbotron before he takes the court