Celtics (21-5) at Warriors (13-13) Game #27 12/10/22

[Who]

At least now we know that GS are basically mailing in the regular season to this point. They wanted that game BADLY.

People are overrating the Warriors on here, and I don't buy this claim that they're just "coasting". There's a reason they have such a big disparity in home versus road wins. It's not just them coasting. They're an older team and they simply can't bring it every night like they used to. They'll still be dangerous in the playoffs, but they're also going to have a harder road because of this.

All that being said, they were definitely in our head tonight. Hopefully that's a one night thing and we blow them out when in Boston.

I agree GSW are not coasting and there is a reason they are not winning as much. I disagree on the reason. I do not think it is aging. I believe their top players are giving as much as before. It is the bench that has declined hugely from last season. The losses of Gary Payton III and Otto Porter have been key. Their young players who they had hoped could replace them have been very poor leading to a swing from an above average bench to one of the weaker benches in the league. It is putting a lot of pressure on the starters.

Kerr still spreading the minutes around generously hoping for better days down the road. I am not so sure. They might need some trades to rebalance their roster / bench to get back to the Finals. 

[Csfan1984]

There was a point last night where they could have taken advantage of Warriors being tired but they took bad shots and stopped getting back on defense.

Freezing out JB when he surged on offense didn't help I'm looking at Smart and Tatum in that blunder. Just like Finals repeat. If JB has it going keep feeding him.

Could have used more Brogdon this game. Was he injured? JB and him were only guys playing well on offense.

Needed less Grant (maybe go Vonleh). Warriors are a problem for Grant if Grant is not shooting the corner three. Warriors are just to quick and athletic inside for him. Same thing with White. The Warriors dare them and Smart to shoot and collapse on them if they drive with time to spare for easy strips/blocks.

When three or four players have a bad game we almost always lose this year. Against a solid shooting night for Warriors surprised to have got it close multiple times.

[LilRip]

This is not indicative of what it will be like in the playoffs (assuming both teams make it to the finals) but it was definitely a game the Warriors deservedly won and the C’s deservedly lost. That Tatum last night looked nothing like the MVP candidate we’ve seen for 26 games this year. Poor rim finishing, loose handle, and tentative decision making. JT needs to be better and I’m confident he will be. I’m looking forward to when the Dubs come to Boston.

Let’s go C’s!!!

[CelticSooner]

At least now we know that GS are basically mailing in the regular season to this point. They wanted that game BADLY.

People are overrating the Warriors on here, and I don't buy this claim that they're just "coasting". There's a reason they have such a big disparity in home versus road wins. It's not just them coasting. They're an older team and they simply can't bring it every night like they used to. They'll still be dangerous in the playoffs, but they're also going to have a harder road because of this.

All that being said, they were definitely in our head tonight. Hopefully that's a one night thing and we blow them out when in Boston.

Draymond basically said before the game the only two teams they have their eye on are the C’s and Bucks. He dismissed the entire Western conference. You can see why last night, nobody else in that side of the bracket can do what GS does on both sides of the ball.

[86MaxwellSmart]

All off season the talk was the C's couldn't score in the finals, so last night they tried to out score and out shoot GSW. The only way to beat them is to shut them down,we forgot to play defense like we used to when we were the only team who consistently beat them

[#1P4P]

After dwelling on why the Warriors are such a tough defensive matchup, I figured it out.

The Warriors do 4 things at an elite level: cut off driving lanes, close out quickly on shooters/role players, play the passing lanes, and challenge at the rim.

Their on ball positioning deters drives, their off ball discourages passing, the role players get spooked on the closeout and have to drive and finish or kick, and when all else fails Looney and/or Draymond are there to challenge at the rim.

Most teams don’t do all 4, but they do while getting back on defense and forcing you to play in the half court.

We have to accomplish one of two things to beat these guys in a potential Finals matchup, either Tatum and Brown have to go supernova (averaging 60-70+ PPG; why the Cavs beat them in 2016) or the team has to dominate the hustle department (OFF REB and FBP; why the Grizzlies give them trouble); of course, combining either with elite defense. Both are doable, but we have to do it consistently.