Celtics (3-0) at Mavericks (0-3) NBA Finals Game #4 6/14/24

[Who]

I have never seen such a big difference between ceiling and floor from a championship level team before.  But maybe I wasn?t paying close enough attention.   I mean even the C?s teams of the 80?s got their clock cleaned in some games in those title runs.   For some reason this feels worse.

It is the three point shot.

Greater variance in outcome. Greater swings between good and bad, between great and awful.

[trickybilly]

I'd voted for Game 4 in the poll, but secretly LOVE the idea of being in Boston to lift the Trophy.

Rest up boys and girls!

[Kuberski33]

One factor to consider is that KP gets 2 more days of rest. Hopefully he should be serviceable by Monday.

I don?t think we?ll see him in a game again until next season. Scrub time would have actually been the time to roll him out to see how he does.

[Who]

The Celtics starters can't hit the side of a barn. Meanwhile, Dallas can't seem to miss. Reminds me games 2 against Miami and Cleveland.

If I'm Joe, I bench the starters and Jedi mind trick Kidd to do the same. It's possible our bench can cut into the lead, and if the starters do come back, the roles can be reversed.

Just give Jordan Walsh some playing time. It'll be his first NBA Finals on the court.

But not his last NBA Finals. That lad has a bright future.

[Muzzy66]

Enjoy it Dallas. Your time is coming Monday.

If we do close out on game 5, i think JT can sneakily eke out JB as finals MVP?

Who cares?
And no I don?t give Tatum any credit or edge over anybody for putting up 15 points in a 30 point finals loss.

I absollutely give him credit - because unlike JB and the rest of the starters he at least looked like he cares about winning the game.  Nobody else does.

Nah, Tatum folded mentally early, like 1st quarter early.  Getting frustrated by the refs, not getting back on D. He might have been the 1st to quit tonight, followed by Jaylen, followed by everybody else.

Yeah I just can?t with the Tatum-centric Celtics fans.

He was abysmal tonight. Bricking step back 3s, bricking layups and complaining way too much and mentally folded almost immediately.
Brown clearly had a bad game too but I?m not giving Tatum a bump up in the mvp ranking over this. That?s insane.

Everyone was abysmal tonight. Flush it and move on.

I agree. Exactly why it?s insane to move around finals mvp rankings based on anything from that garbage. Tatum hasn?t shot well or been efficient offensively a single game In these finals including tonight

Tatum at least hasn't had a complete stinker of a game in the entire playoffs like Brown did tonight.  10 points on 3-12 shooting, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers in 27 minutes and his defence has been non-existent.  That could be the worst individual game of Jaylen Brown's entire career. 

Tatum has 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists 1 steal and 2 blocks in the same 27 minutes but that doesn't even tell the full story.  He's been very clearly mauled on multiple shot attempts that never got called, and he's made mutliple good passes to teammates who have bricked open shots and layups.  He should be on 20, 5 and 6 right now if the refs and his teamates did their jobs.

Tatum has actually had a perfectly respectable game tonight.  Hauser also has been good - he's played hard on D and is showing genuine effort.  Nobody else has shown up at all.  There is no way Jaylen Brown can play like this when 100% healthy in close out finals game and get an MVP trophy for it.  This game instantly disqualifies him.

[celticinorlando]

This embarrassing loss plus the Garden at home with the trophy in the building will be some kind of atmosphere.

This is not different than 2008 when the Cs stole game 4 and then laid a turd in Game 5 only to come home in Game 6 to win.

[jpotter33]

Yeah I think Luka's winning Finals MVP whether Dallas wins the series or not lol

Without a doubt the best player on both teams.

LOL- Yeah, 1-3 and plays no defense. Wish we could trade places and be down 1-3 with best player. 🤣

It's completely expected at this point, but some of the lengths some posters go to in losses is just astounding.

Luka as Finals MVP when he has historically poor defensive numbers and is getting gentleman's swept is...... some take.

[hpantazo]

The Mavs players said they figured out this Celtics team in the 4th quarter of game 3 and tonight. What adjustments did you see that reflects this?

[celticinorlando]

These are all correctable

1. 17 points off TO allowed
2. 14-41 3PM (but that includes garbage time makes)
3. 13 OREB / 16-2 2nd chance points

38 point loss. The formula never lies

[CelticSooner]

I don?t think Game 5 is guaranteed, we all know what Luka will try to do. This series won?t get to 7 though I promise you that.

[celticinorlando]

The Mavs players said they figured out this Celtics team in the 4th quarter of game 3 and tonight. What adjustments did you see that reflects this?

None. I saw Boston playing poorly with zero effort or energy.

[Who]

Fair play to Dallas. They didn't want to get swept. They played with more energy & intensity and deserved the win.

[celticinorlando]

Boston got humbled tonight. If this doesn't make them focus in and play harder Monday they don't deserve the title.

[CelticSooner]

The Mavs players said they figured out this Celtics team in the 4th quarter of game 3 and tonight. What adjustments did you see that reflects this?

None. I saw Boston playing poorly with zero effort or energy.

They did a [dang] good job on Brown. C?s missed KP tonight finally.

[celticinorlando]

I will take a Game 5 Garden Party.

Have faith folks.