Tied 2-2, Do You Believe?

[Dchuck]

“ 1.  Protect the ball - gotta limit the turnovers, particularly the live ball type where we throw the ball to GS at the top of the key that allows them to take off
2.  Stop dropping -  Al and RW especially!  Cant continue allowing Steph to take pull up 3s with space.  If Steph is gonna blow by so be it.  Make him and Klay put it on the floor.  Even blitzing occasionally to take them out of rythym.
3.  Match GS intensity -  they have their backs against the wall.  We gotta come out with force and not allow them to be the bully.
4.  Gang rebound -  have to crash the D boards and limit second chance opportunities.
5.  3rd quarter - come out with pace and stop walking the ball up.  Avoid stagnant, ISO play.  Move the ball and move without it.
6.  Attack Steph -  Marcus abused him particularly down low and Tatum needs to continue attacking downhill on him
7.  Be the bully -  Draymond is obviously gonna pick up his intensity and even expect some more dirty tactics.  We cant allow him to fluster is so they have to play tough BUT smart with him.   Also Al has to play with force when he has the chance down low. “

I posted this in the game thread before the game.  We didnt do any of these.  If we dont in game 5, the series is over.

[Roy H.]

I’m discouraged, but if at the beginning of the playoffs you’d told me we’d have a best-of-three series for the title, I would have been thrilled.

[Who]

When has the last time the Curry/Klay/Green Warriors played a Game 7 in the playoffs? I feel like they've never played any Game 7s other than the 2016 Finals. They've usually swept/cruised by their playoff path.

Idk, if this goes 7 games this could go either way.

GSW have always been kinda soft. No reason for us to fear their mental fortitude in a game 7.

[td450]

This team often reverts to the Celtics of the early part of the season. Ball movement stops, the one on one begins and shooting percentage plunges. It's who they are, it's that youth thing where they read their own personal headlines and react. It's fine if you really are who the media says you are, (ie Curry), but obviously some on the Celtics are not yet there.

You can feel the teams confusion taking place... are they an actual basketball TEAM or a Star-driven group? The Celtics need to realize shooting percentage is important and waisted opportunities on the offensive end will come back and bit you.   

This is the crux of the matter. The 2021 Celtics will likely not win the series. The 2022 Celtics likely will.

This is about Tatum, Smart and Udoka and reversion to old ways. Tatum has just not been very good, and last night he wore his discouragement on his sleeve. We're in the middle of the finals and he's moping.

Smart has gradually been increasing his shots as the playoffs have gone on, and while he has had his moments, the effect is to snuff out the ball movement that makes this team dominant.

Al Horford, Grant Williams and Robert Williams took 11 shots combined. That tells you what you need to know about the ball movement.

Tatum needs to play like he did in April whether he makes his shots or not, and Smart has to go back to 12 shots a game, or we are likely losing this series.

Udoka got us here by breaking these habits. He has to demand we don't slip back now.

[celticinorlando]

Tatum needs to stop complaining for fouls every time down.

He also needs to work on his handles and his finishing at the rim this off-season. He is a turnover machine right now.

[hpantazo]

Speaking of working on his handles, Brown dribbled it off his own foot trying to dribble between his legs on Klay late in the 4th for a costly turnover. The ABC crew of course immediately ignored it and said 'what a great  defensive play by Klay'.

Also late in the 4th, people complain about Smart shooting those threes, but you could clearly see him getting frustrated at his teammates as he was looking for someone to cut when he was at the top of the key. Nobody was moving and he had to do something as the clock was running down. That happened most of the way down the stretch.

We could crush GS if we could manage to keep our  stupidity to a minimum.

[mobilija]

Been here before, right? I believe in this teams ability to bounce back and to win when it matters. They will prove they are better over the long view.

But like others have mentioned....ball movement, player movement, sticking w shooters and crashing the glass have to be maximized. 2022 Celtics and not 2021 Celtics pls.

[Donoghus]

Absolutely.

Just gotta stop shooting themselves in the foot. The championship is there for the taking if they just play their game and limit the turnovers.  They are the better team.

[ozgod]

Speaking of working on his handles, Brown dribbled it off his own foot trying to dribble between his legs on Klay late in the 4th for a costly turnover. The ABC crew of course immediately ignored it and said 'what a great  defensive play by Klay'.

Also late in the 4th, people complain about Smart shooting those threes, but you could clearly see him getting frustrated at his teammates as he was looking for someone to cut when he was at the top of the key. Nobody was moving and he had to do something as the clock was running down. That happened most of the way down the stretch.

We could crush GS if we could manage to keep our  stupidity to a minimum.

This is the thing. It's easy to criticize the ball handler when they end up dribbing the air out of the ball and going iso or taking a bad stepback but in a number of cases it's because the other players start ball watching and not moving off the ball. If the ball is getting stagnant, run out and set a screen or cut to the basket. Do something to bail the guy out. Too often as fans we can end up just watching the ball as well and not watching what's happening around it, and we blame the wrong person.

[Kuberski33]

A lot gets made of 'stars' but at this point winning or losing will be a team effort. If enough of Smart, Grant, Horford, White, PP etc step up, make shots and not turn the ball over, they win the title. If not, they don't.

GS strategy is to keep Tatum away from the paint as much as possible and he's constantly being guarded by smaller, quicker guys who are looking to strip/pressure him and cause TO's. The answer is him moving the ball, trusting his teammates - but most importantly those teammates knocking down open looks.  Do this enough times they'll be hanging banner # 18 next fall.

All of them went ice cold when it mattered last night - hence us being at 2-2.

[Kuberski33]

I will say I think the schedule does us a bit of a favor having an extra day off. Last night's loss was raw and you could tell they knew they punted a great opportunity.  The extra day should hopefully give them time to refocus on an opportunity that remains in front of them.

At their best, they are the better team - I think that much is obvious after 4 games.

[celticinorlando]

Just one complete game…start to finish making free throws, not turning it over…moving the basketball on offense. We have not seen this in this series.

[Who]

Just one complete game…start to finish making free throws, not turning it over…moving the basketball on offense. We have not seen this in this series.

Should we be giving GSW's defense more credit for bothering BOS offense?

It is not a fantastic defense but they can switch well and keep enough foot-speed on the ball defensively to force opponents to play more one-on-one basketball than ball movement orientated offense.

I feel like they are not getting enough credit for disrupting BOS offense.

[Kuberski33]

Just one complete game…start to finish making free throws, not turning it over…moving the basketball on offense. We have not seen this in this series.

Should we be giving GSW's defense more credit for bothering BOS offense?

It is not a fantastic defense but they can switch well and keep enough foot-speed on the ball defensively to force opponents to play more one-on-one basketball than ball movement orientated offense.

I feel like they are not getting enough credit for disrupting BOS offense.

Happens often in sports - not enough credit being given to the opposing team. This is a Finals and you don't get there by being mediocre. Their defense has been very good and Kerr is an excellent coach. 

[SparzWizard]

When has the last time the Curry/Klay/Green Warriors played a Game 7 in the playoffs? I feel like they've never played any Game 7s other than the 2016 Finals. They've usually swept/cruised by their playoff path.

Idk, if this goes 7 games this could go either way.

GSW have always been kinda soft. No reason for us to fear their mental fortitude in a game 7.

Yeah, their mental fortitude isn't that fearful. Just went back and recalled they did have Game 7s vs the OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets.

OKC- blew 3-1 series lead tbh. Anyone wouldn't win with Westbrook as their teammate 
Rockets- missed 27 consecutive 3s and CP3 with his annual postseason choke