Pacers (0-0) at Celtics (0-0) Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 5/21/24

[Billz401]

They will have to figure it out in the frontcourt. Kornet awful. Horford old. Either try Queta for a few minutes or go to Brisett, or play really small. We won’t get lucky all the time

I actually don’t hate the idea of Tatum playing the small ball five in the series. Turner is soft as Charmin.

I'd like Joe to match Al's minutes with Turners as much as he can maybe with a few minutes from Tillman here and there for rest and then when they take out Turner and go Siakam at the 5 just run Tatum or even JB on Siakam.

Kornet was exposed tonight and probably shouldn't be out there very much here on out

[mef730]

Funny how nesmith never played this well with us

To be fair, he never really had consistent floor time.

[celticinorlando]

I counted 3 circus 3s from Indiana

Celtics missed 5 free throws in third quarter

That’s a 14 point swing.

Hauser has to give them something

Need to figure out how to defend their guards getting in the lane

And for god’s sake please keep turner from scoring

[tenn_smoothie]

Celtics luck. We're just lucky with this win.

But it's a win , baby. YEAAH.

You know, I don't mind luck.
Celts have had amazing luck in the playoffs throughout their history.
We are known for our lucky leprechaun.

'84 - Finals Game 2, Henderson steal
'76 - Finals Game 5, Havlicek lean-in at the end of the 2nd overtime
'69 - Finals Game 6, Sam Jones jumper at the end that rattled around and fell in
'69 - Finals Game 7, Nelson's jumper that bounced straight up and fell in
'62 - Finals, Dumbass Lakers go to Frank Selvy for their winning shot, he misses.
I would mention Bird's 1987 steal ECF and Havlicek stole the ball 1965 ECF, but those were great plays by clutch players, not luck.

I could keep going, but the point is obvious.
The Celtics have certainly been a lot more than lucky through the years.
Mostly, we used to simply be better than everybody.
But part of our tradition has been help from the lucky leprechaun and the rest of the league can stick it !!

What I do mind is winning on luck when we should have won easily on talent and smart basketball.

[GreenEnvy]

I know they were off for nearly a week but that’s a lot of minutes for our starters with only one day off between all games.

Joe is going to have to widen his rotation until KP returns.

[Neurotic Guy]

Too many minutes for Al. I think everyone sees that including Joe. But you have to win the game you’re in.  Al’s legs won’t hold out playing these minutes every other night. Start Q. 

[SparzWizard]

Celtics luck. We're just lucky with this win.

But it's a win , baby. YEAAH.

You know, I don't mind luck.
Celts have had amazing luck in the playoffs throughout their history.
We are known for our lucky leprechaun.

'84 - Finals Game 2, Henderson steal
'76 - Finals Game 5, Havlicek lean-in at the end of the 2nd overtime
'69 - Finals Game 6, Sam Jones jumper at the end that rattled around and fell in
'69 - Finals Game 7, Nelson's jumper that bounced straight up and fell in
'62 - Finals, Dumbass Lakers go to Frank Selvy for their winning shot, he misses.
I would mention Bird's 1987 steal ECF and Havlicek stole the ball 1965 ECF, but those were great plays by clutch players, not luck.

I could keep going, but the point is obvious.
The Celtics have certainly been a lot more than lucky through the years.
Mostly, we have simply been better than everybody.
But part of our tradition has been help from the lucky leprechaun and the rest of the league can stick it !!

What I do mind is winning on luck when we should have won easily.

Should we also include 2008 Game 4? Down 24 points and we somehow clawed back and won at Staples to take a 3-1 series lead

[SCeltic34]

The more I think about it, the more I'm happy this game went this way rather than a blow out. We've needed a loss in the first two series to really clamp down on defense and focus. Hopefully this close win will serve that purpose now.

Agreed.  Lots of good game film to review and correct all of the PnR miscommunications and errors.

[CelticSooner]

Haliburton has looked better every series in this playoffs. I was shocked he didn’t take that three and dribbled himself into a worse shot. C’s aren’t playing the scared Pacers like the Bucks did. They have gained confidence, gotta show up and battle. Give them a reason to doubt themselves again.

[jpotter33]

They will have to figure it out in the frontcourt. Kornet awful. Horford old. Either try Queta for a few minutes or go to Brisett, or play really small. We won’t get lucky all the time

If he's not going to try X, I would try going small - at least for a few minutes. Problem is these guys crash the offensive boards so playing small isn't ideal.

I mean, Brissett is a good rebounder for his size, and so is Tatum. I think they'd be just as efficient on the boards replacing Al with Brissett.

[kraidstar]

Don't let us up off the mat Indiana

oh heck here we go

yup. INDY could not finish us and they paid a heavy price on jaylens circus shot

Love it need some Ultimate Warrior in here as well that was a hell of a finish lol

[SHAQATTACK]

Heard lots of various media analysis this morning on sports radio shows saying Celtics should win given talent and record , but not even one was pulling for Boston , everyone on every show was for Pacers. 

[tenn_smoothie]

Celtics luck. We're just lucky with this win.

But it's a win , baby. YEAAH.

You know, I don't mind luck.
Celts have had amazing luck in the playoffs throughout their history.
We are known for our lucky leprechaun.

'84 - Finals Game 2, Henderson steal
'76 - Finals Game 5, Havlicek lean-in at the end of the 2nd overtime
'69 - Finals Game 6, Sam Jones jumper at the end that rattled around and fell in
'69 - Finals Game 7, Nelson's jumper that bounced straight up and fell in
'62 - Finals, Dumbass Lakers go to Frank Selvy for their winning shot, he misses.
I would mention Bird's 1987 steal ECF and Havlicek stole the ball 1965 ECF, but those were great plays by clutch players, not luck.

I could keep going, but the point is obvious.
The Celtics have certainly been a lot more than lucky through the years.
Mostly, we have simply been better than everybody.
But part of our tradition has been help from the lucky leprechaun and the rest of the league can stick it !!

What I do mind is winning on luck when we should have won easily.

Should we also include 2008 Game 4? Down 24 points and we somehow clawed back and won at Staples to take a 3-1 series lead

One of the great games in Celtics history, right up there with 1984 game 4.
But those games were won on talent and mental toughness, not a couple of lucky bounces.

[Muzzy66]

The big plus for me is that there have been a number of games during this season (and playoffs) where the Celtics have given up controlling leads and allowed the other team to come back and make it a game...in past seasons the Celtics would have blown almost every one of those games.  This season more often then not they have found a way to grit it out and come out with a win.  They haven't always been pretty, but playoff basketball rarely is a walk in the park - sometimes those tight wins are the ones are the most impressive.

[kraidstar]

Don't let us up off the mat Indiana

oh heck here we go

yup. INDY could not finish us and they paid a heavy price on jaylens circus shot

Ric really is a perfect mascot for this team. He's insane, he can take a beating, and he always makes the competition look good!