Knicks (47-32) at Celtics (62-17) Game #80 4/11/24

[ozgod]

Knicks trying to hang on

[liam]

Bench out played the "Starters"

[ozgod]

And that’s how it ends…9 point win for the Knicks. Thibs looked like he was going to have a heart attack at the end, our bench unit acquitted themselves pretty well against their bench unit

[liam]

And that’s how it ends…9 point win for the Knicks. Thibs looked like he was going to have a heart attack at the end, our bench unit acquitted themselves pretty well against their bench unit

The Knicks kept in two starters and only played 9 guys...

[Silas]

Bench with 38 points in the 4th. Joe should have started the bench.  Maybe he will against Charlotte.

[CelticSooner]

And that’s how it ends…9 point win for the Knicks. Thibs looked like he was going to have a heart attack at the end, our bench unit acquitted themselves pretty well against their bench unit

You mean to tell me guys that have something to play for actually played hard? Mazzulla is a strange guy.

[SparzWizard]

All I'm concerned about is the 2-7 and 3-6 matchups...I hope Bucks and Sixers face each other in the first-round. I want both of them gone before the ECF.

And I guess the other concern is whether the Jays and this team will be able to shake off the unmotivation efforts because we will need to play 110% come playoff time and show no mercy.

[celticinorlando]

Cs hold their own on the boards they probably win. Have to get that cleaned up.

[celticinorlando]

All I'm concerned about is the 2-7 and 3-6 matchups...I hope Bucks and Sixers face each other in the first-round. I want both of them gone before the ECF.

And I guess the other concern is whether the Jays and this team will be able to shake off the unmotivation efforts because we will need to play 110% come playoff time and show no mercy.

I agree. I would like to see 76ers, Knicks and bucks on the other side of the bracket.

Would like to see the seeding end:

Boston
Bucks
Knicks
Magic
Cavs
Sixers
Heat
Pacers/Bulls/Hawks

[ozgod]

I wonder if anyone will be honest enough in the Post game interview to say “we didn’t give a @#$& about the game, we’re treated it like a live practice to run sets and just didn’t want to get injured”. Anyone who was brave enough to say that would definitely deserve a Tommy Point 

To Joes credit he kind of said this in the post game - “I didn’t like our level of effort in the first half, we’re in a certain position and [New York] are in a different position they have a lot to play for, I understand how it’s hard to have motivation, I understand why our level of effort was bad but I don’t have to like it…our 2nd unit did outstanding in the 4th half under difficult circumstances”

Also said “I don’t mind us getting thrashed the last 2 games, we deserved it, I don’t mind us going into the playoffs with a bloody lip”

[Atzar]

I get that we have nothing to play for, but admittedly I'm still anxious about this because I've seen Jay-led teams try to flip the switch on and off in the past.  Not the most comforting habit.

Also, hot take:  I think Tatum has coasted for most of the season.  It's a credit to his talent that he has still been able to put up the numbers he has, because I think the guy gives 60% most nights.  It has kept him healthy, but there will come a point where we're going to need 100% and he'd better be able to reach it. 

Just anxious. 

[celticinorlando]

Just need to get these next two games over with.

[jpotter33]

I get that we have nothing to play for, but admittedly I'm still anxious about this because I've seen Jay-led teams try to flip the switch on and off in the past.  Not the most comforting habit.

Also, hot take:  I think Tatum has coasted for most of the season.  It's a credit to his talent that he has still been able to put up the numbers he has, because I think the guy gives 60% most nights.  It has kept him healthy, but there will come a point where we're going to need 100% and he'd better be able to reach it. 

Just anxious.

Definitely agreed on this. Though I will say that I think a big part of this is Tatum trying to balance getting his own while also playing on a much more talented team with more mouths to feed. It feels like he's struggled with that balance at times and not asserted himself enough leaving it up to others. Hopefully the playoffs will make him more aggressive while still under control.

[ozgod]

John Karalis holding their feet to the fire asking first Joe, then KP and then JB “how can you prove to the fans you’re not slipping into the bad habits you’ve had the past years?”

Each replied with some variation of “we don’t want to be judged by the last two games, we got out toughed by some desperate teams and we will be ready come playoff time”. Guess we have to take them on faith (never an easy thing for a Celtics supporter) 

[celticsclay]

I don’t like seeing this, but there have been some really good teams that have done this and gone on to make finals or win the championship.