Celtics (2-3) at Heat (3-2) ECF Game #6 5/27/23

[footey]

Why didn't genius Coach Spoelstra not play Highsmith any minutes last night? Dude killed us in game 5, not to mention back in January.

Joe would have been crucified by Celtic fans had he done something similar (like not playing Grant early in this round).

His use of the one challenge was a big dud. There were several calls after that could have been reversed (defensive fouls v Heat that could have been offensive fouls).

Point is, even great coaches like ES are subject to second guessing and criticism. 

[hpantazo]

That last play by the Celtics has me worried a bit about our ATO plays. If you have any great plays in your playbook, this is what they were made for. Yet, all we got was essentially the same play we ran in a similar situation against the Sixers. We only needed two points. Couldn't we get someone cutting to the basket, some more player movement, picks to free guys up to get a good look? Stevens used to be a master at getting layups or wide open jumpers on these type of plays.

[Roy H.]

I still can't get over that putback.  If the refs put 2.8 seconds on the clock, instead of 3.0, this is a different blog today.

[johnnygreen]

At the time, I couldn't believe Horford fouled Butler on that 3 point attempt with only 3 seconds remaining. The question is, would playoff Jimmy have made that shot? If he did, series over because time would have ran out. However, because Al fouled him, it allowed the Celtics to have the last shot.

[ozgod]

Why didn't genius Coach Spoelstra not play Highsmith any minutes last night? Dude killed us in game 5, not to mention back in January.

Joe would have been crucified by Celtic fans had he done something similar (like not playing Grant early in this round).

His use of the one challenge was a big dud. There were several calls after that could have been reversed (defensive fouls v Heat that could have been offensive fouls).

Point is, even great coaches like ES are subject to second guessing and criticism.

Another thing Spoelstra didn't do was call a timeout after Marcus's made second free throw that put the score 102-100 with 21 sec to go. Maybe he was saving it for if the possession went south?

[mobilija]

When does 2 min report come out?

Not sure, but when it does it will be hosted here:
https://official.nba.com/2022-23-nba-officiating-last-two-minute-reports/

Thanks. The last game they have on there is May 22....

What is a Last Two Minute Report?

A Last Two Minute Report, or “L2M,” is a play-by-play report regarding all calls and material non-calls in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or the last two minutes of any overtime period (if applicable) for all games (including playoffs) that meet designated criteria.

What is the criteria for a game to have an L2M?

Effective with the 2017-18 season, an L2M will be done for any game in which one team’s lead over the other is three points or fewer at any point during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.

https://official.nba.com/nba-last-two-minute-reports-frequently-asked-questions/

TP. Ur patience appreciated for my failure to do any work on my own, haha

[celticinorlando]

At the time, I couldn't believe Horford fouled Butler on that 3 point attempt with only 3 seconds remaining. The question is, would playoff Jimmy have made that shot? If he did, series over because time would have ran out. However, because Al fouled him, it allowed the Celtics to have the last shot.

There was no chance Jimmy makes that shot and he knew it. That’s what he almost went horizontal jumping into Al to create contact. He was dead man walking in the corner

[Phantom255x]

At the time, I couldn't believe Horford fouled Butler on that 3 point attempt with only 3 seconds remaining. The question is, would playoff Jimmy have made that shot? If he did, series over because time would have ran out. However, because Al fouled him, it allowed the Celtics to have the last shot.

I don't think Butler even tried to make many shots in the final 2 minutes tbh. He was just focusing on drawing contact and falling to the ground to get FTs, and he mostly did. Had 7 FTs the final few minutes.

I do think he gets gassed, as does Bam. It's been a long series. Butler isn't driving as much as he did earlier this series. Miami took quite a few jumpers and 3s early in the shotclock, which to me was also a sign they are getting gassed. Only time they drive is when it's Horford or a big on a guard and they just run by them, otherwise it's mostly jumpers/3s.

[gouki88]

Not sure if this was mentioned elsewhere:

Just heard a good point that the NBA had confirmed that they would have looked at the 3 point line for Butler’s free throws whether or not Mazz had challenged, but they wouldn’t have added the .9 back on the clock if he hadn’t.  And that saved the game.

That seems like an incredible flaw in the system

[celticinorlando]

2-min report says Horford's foul on Butler occurred at 3.0 AND he was attempting 3-pointer although it appeared he wasn't in shooting motion at 3.0. Report says Vincent fouled Tatum on jumper with 33.5 left & Martin committed a lane violation on Brown FT at 1:01. #Celtics #Heat

[Kernewek]

2-min report says Horford's foul on Butler occurred at 3.0 AND he was attempting 3-pointer although it appeared he wasn't in shooting motion at 3.0. Report says Vincent fouled Tatum on jumper with 33.5 left & Martin committed a lane violation on Brown FT at 1:01. #Celtics #Heat

Here's the link to the report if anyone wants to read more:
https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0042200306

For me, the double dribble ruling is a joke:

Butler (MIA) fumbles the ball out of his control when he ends his dribble, then recovers it and legally attempts a field goal.

[celticinorlando]

2-min report says Horford's foul on Butler occurred at 3.0 AND he was attempting 3-pointer although it appeared he wasn't in shooting motion at 3.0. Report says Vincent fouled Tatum on jumper with 33.5 left & Martin committed a lane violation on Brown FT at 1:01. #Celtics #Heat

Here's the link to the report if anyone wants to read more:
https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0042200306

For me, the double dribble ruling is a joke:

Butler (MIA) fumbles the ball out of his control when he ends his dribble, then recovers it and legally attempts a field goal.

It was a double dribble

[Roy H.]

Not sure if this was mentioned elsewhere:

Just heard a good point that the NBA had confirmed that they would have looked at the 3 point line for Butler’s free throws whether or not Mazz had challenged, but they wouldn’t have added the .9 back on the clock if he hadn’t.  And that saved the game.

That seems like an incredible flaw in the system

Yeah.  I'm probably confusing this with football, but I thought that reps could look at the clock to see how much time was left. They've done so before, right?  Not every time the officials review, the clock is a result of an official challenge.

[gouki88]

2-min report says Horford's foul on Butler occurred at 3.0 AND he was attempting 3-pointer although it appeared he wasn't in shooting motion at 3.0. Report says Vincent fouled Tatum on jumper with 33.5 left & Martin committed a lane violation on Brown FT at 1:01. #Celtics #Heat

Here's the link to the report if anyone wants to read more:
https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0042200306

For me, the double dribble ruling is a joke:

Butler (MIA) fumbles the ball out of his control when he ends his dribble, then recovers it and legally attempts a field goal.

So as long as you look like you lose control, any dribbling violation is fine? Good to know

[gouki88]

Not sure if this was mentioned elsewhere:

Just heard a good point that the NBA had confirmed that they would have looked at the 3 point line for Butler’s free throws whether or not Mazz had challenged, but they wouldn’t have added the .9 back on the clock if he hadn’t.  And that saved the game.

That seems like an incredible flaw in the system

Yeah.  I'm probably confusing this with football, but I thought that reps could look at the clock to see how much time was left. They've done so before, right?  Not every time the officials review, the clock is a result of an official challenge.

I thought so too, but could be misremembering.