I don’t want to be a wet blanket, however…

[CBS_Take a Report]

All we did was hold home court advantage. Team has looked great and I’m confident in our position of course (win 1 in Brooklyn and we take it at home maybe in 5 or 7 worst case). But I think the margin to swing this series the other way is not that wide.

Just gonna leave this right here.

Keys to game:

- No foul trouble for Al (Theis is an exposure albeit he had a great game w he is)
- Bench needs to hit shots (DWhite, Pritchard, GW)
- Gotta lock down Durant (I’m ok with Kyrie going off)
- Gotta stay healthy (knocking on everything wood near me)

The Bets are a world class team and will be getting what should be a defensive reinforcement soon in Ben Simmons. This feels like it’s going the distance (7 games) still…

[angryguy77]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

[Moranis]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

2 close games and Durant has yet to really show up.  That is why there is reason for concern. 

[Donoghus]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

2 close games and Durant has yet to really show up.  That is why there is reason for concern.

True.

At the same time, I don't think the Celtics have played a great 48 minute game yet either. 

[footey]

Series doesn't start until someone wins on the road, so they (Pat Riley etc.) say.

Still think we are showing to be the mentally tougher team, which gives me optimism going forward that we will prevail.

[seancally]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

2 close games and Durant has yet to really show up.  That is why there is reason for concern.

Concern feels strong. I’d go with cautious optimism.

[Silas]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

2 close games and Durant has yet to really show up.  That is why there is reason for concern.

I think he has shown up and was physically shut down.  I see no reason to believe that the Celtics will change their defense on both Durant and Kyrie.  Go Cs.

[mef730]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

2 close games and Durant has yet to really show up.  That is why there is reason for concern.

True.

At the same time, I don't think the Celtics have played a great 48 minute game yet either.

No reason there can't be a middle ground. This isn't the team that beat everyone by 20 and smothered opposition offenses, but it's a heck of a lot closer to that than it is to "first half of the season Celtics." To be fair, we aren't going to be "smothering Celtics" until TL returns. That should be fun.

There's virtually no way that the Nets don't win one at home, but I'd love to wrap this up in five, since I don't think my heart can take much more.

Mike

[Neurotic Guy]

There's always reason for concern - especially v. a team as strong as Brooklyn.  If the Nets win tomorrow, they go into game 4 with momentum and probably add a new player to the mix who has size, vision, passing skills, defensive skills...   Also, game 4 comes quickly (relatively) on Monday.  So, I'm enjoying the start of the series but worried as usual.

[mef730]

There's always reason for concern - especially v. a team as strong as Brooklyn.  If the Nets win tomorrow, they go into game 4 with momentum and probably add a new player to the mix who has size, vision, passing skills, defensive skills...   Also, game 4 comes quickly (relatively) on Monday.  So, I'm enjoying the start of the series but worried as usual.

Never would have guessed it with your user name!

Mike

[slamtheking]

All we did was hold home court advantage. Team has looked great and I’m confident in our position of course (win 1 in Brooklyn and we take it at home maybe in 5 or 7 worst case). But I think the margin to swing this series the other way is not that wide.

Just gonna leave this right here.

Keys to game:

- No foul trouble for Al (Theis is an exposure albeit he had a great game w he is)
- Bench needs to hit shots (DWhite, Pritchard, GW)
- Gotta lock down Durant (I’m ok with Kyrie going off)
- Gotta stay healthy (knocking on everything wood near me)

The Bets are a world class team and will be getting what should be a defensive reinforcement soon in Ben Simmons. This feels like it’s going the distance (7 games) still…

that should help dry you out Mr Wet Blanket

Nets are going to get an officiating crew that's going to call the game a lot closer -- at least on the C's -- that will allow Durant and Kyrie to get space and hit their shots.  Probably game 3 so that the league can sell the idea of this being a viable series rather than getting that help in game 4 where they could be fighting for their playoff lives.

I agree with your concerns.  I would throw an idea out there that neither Tatum nor Brown have had a great shooting game yet.  Another item to consider is that the Nets supporting cast hasn't had an off game either. 

I don't think Simmons return will provide as big a boost on-court as it will mentally for the Nets if they win that same game. 

would love a sweep but figuring C's in 5 barring any injuries to the C's.  They'll take either game 3 or 4 in Brooklyn and then finish them in game 5

[Vermont Green]

There is no "wet blanket" here.  I don't think anyone is saying the series is in the bag or "mission accomplished" or anything like that.  We have a 2-0 lead which is way better than not having a 2-0 lead.  All we have proven is we can win at home.  Now let's prove we can win on the road.

All the pressure is on BKN but I hope the Celtics treat this like game 7.

[wiley]

The refs will be frustrating...almost guaranteed.  It's not like we blew them out in Boston..should be very tough games coming.  Hopefully, despite refs being tougher on Boston, our defense will still lead to the Nets losing faith that they can prevail.

keys:

1.  Tatum and Brown stay team oriented and avoid excessive dribbling.

ok no number 2, but if things are going bad, messy, horrible, etc...then more minutes for Pritchard and also throw Hauser or Nessie in...see what we can do from 3 point land.

[moiso]

All we did was take a 2 game lead that gives us a 90% chance to take the series. The Nets have nothing more than the legacy of their 2 stars that's making people nervous, not what or how they are currently playing.

Sure anything could happen, but our odd of winning the series is 1/10 less than the chances the sun will rise tomorrow. We're in good shape.

2 close games and Durant has yet to really show up.  That is why there is reason for concern.

I think he has shown up and was physically shut down.  I see no reason to believe that the Celtics will change their defense on both Durant and Kyrie.  Go Cs.

I was going to type the same thing.  I agree, he showed up and so did the Celtics defense.

[jpotter33]

To be honest, I think we’ll actually play better in Brooklyn than Boston.

First, I think all the noise and the environment got the guys a little too pumped up. I think we play Celtics basketball again and look better overall in Brooklyn with less anxious energy. We’ve demonstrated that we’re an elite road team and can win in any stadium in the league already, and I think this will prove itself again.

Second, Brooklyn isn’t a bad stadium to play in. Regardless of their current fortunes, the nets just don’t seem to have the passionate fan base in NY like the Knicks do. And as well as Celtics fans travel and as close as Brooklyn is to Boston, there’s likely to be a large Celtics contingent there, too. Look at Twitter and you’ll see plenty of Nets fans concerned that they’re not really going to have homecourt advantage given their less than robust fan base and concerns about it being a half-Celtic crowd.