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

[hpantazo]

Dallas switched up the defensive matchups, putting PJ Washington on Brown and Lively/Gafford on Tatum, pushing Tatum to shoot more and Brown to be the facilitator that Tatum was in games 1-3. They attacked Tatum by going to Gafford in the post too. They also packed the paint more and rotated quicker to our shooters, and dominated the boards with Lively out there more. All things we can address, but they did make changes and we didn't respond.

Even with those changes if Boston just played harder and smarter it probably is a game. After the first 8 minutes the Cs looked like they did not want to play.

For sure. They did not come anywhere near matching Dallas' effort.

[Phantom255x]

At some point we also have to actually start a game off well and set the tone. We can't keep relying on coming back down 10+ early in the 1st. Even Game 2, fell behind 8 early and came out flat. At some point Dallas wasn't gonna choke it.

[celticinorlando]

At some point we also have to actually start a game off well and set the tone. We can't keep relying on coming back down 10+ early in the 1st. Even Game 2, fell behind 8 early and came out flat. At some point Dallas wasn't gonna choke it.

This to me is the biggest issue. Boston is getting down early in almost every game.

[tonydelk]

Dallas switched up the defensive matchups, putting PJ Washington on Brown and Lively/Gafford on Tatum, pushing Tatum to shoot more and Brown to be the facilitator that Tatum was in games 1-3. They attacked Tatum by going to Gafford in the post too. They also packed the paint more and rotated quicker to our shooters, and dominated the boards with Lively out there more. All things we can address, but they did make changes and we didn't respond.

Even with those changes if Boston just played harder and smarter it probably is a game. After the first 8 minutes the Cs looked like they did not want to play.

For sure. They did not come anywhere near matching Dallas' effort.

Jason Kidd said it best.  The Mavericks came to play.  The Celtics came to celebrate.  It was an epic embarrassment and they better win at home in Game 5 or this series is going 7.  What a joke yesterday was.  They thought the Mavericks would quit and not want to make the flight back to Boston.  The Mavericks made the Celtics look like an expansion team.  No excuse and they deserve all of the criticism they will get over the next few days.  I know they were trying to do something that no team has done before but to lose by that large of a margin is inexcusable.  This better light a fire under them and they need to return the favor in game 5.

[SparzWizard]

Joe better figure out how to counter Kidd's game plan of their guys packing the paint. And also, start getting his guys to play better in the 1st qtr, but really, all four quarters. Getting his guys to play defense consistently and smarter.

Lose Game 5 and the odds of winning the series become narrower that Dallas would become the favorites instead. Last night was the third worst loss in NBA Finals history. Can't just mail in a game like that with the trophy in the building. If you're gonna lose then put up a fight and lose.

[SparzWizard]

I turned the TV off at halftime but I heard the Mavs dropped the confetti after curbstomping us yesterday lol. If that don't wake up the C's idk what will.

[Phantom255x]

I turned the TV off at halftime but I heard the Mavs dropped the confetti after curbstomping us yesterday lol. If that don't wake up the C's idk what will.

Reminds me when the Sixers prematurely dropped confetti thinking they won Game 3 of the 2018 2nd round in regulation when it actually only went to OT 

Maybe they also think it's their last game at Dallas this season

[celticinorlando]

I turned the TV off at halftime but I heard the Mavs dropped the confetti after curbstomping us yesterday lol. If that don't wake up the C's idk what will.

They indeed did. I couldn't believe that. From that to Lively's comments about they have figured the Celtics out, to the ass kicking, to it being at home with the trophy in the house....the Cs better come out Monday and not mess around.

I think the Cs thought it was a foregone conclusion they would win the title. They had 3 bites at the apple and the played like that.

Part of me feels like the Mavs are satisfied not getting swept. Luka changed the narrative about himself after game 3...they won at home...if they lose game 5 they did not get swept. It is going to be much harder for Dallas to bring that effort again...on the road.


And part of me feels like the Cs are really p.o.'d at what happened.

[celticinorlando]

Few things I look at to gauge if the Celtics are going to be ok in a game:

D. White hitting early 3s
Tatum finishing at the rim
JB making FTs
They are team rebounding.

They did none of this last night and honestly in game 3.

This team is frustrating because they look so good for stretches and then it goes away. The third quarter in game 3 was beautiful team basketball...then it disappeared in about 3 minutes.

[kraidstar]

We wouldn't have beaten a g-league team last night.

[Roy H.]

He's not wrong:

"It's real simple. We don't have to complicate this. This isn't surgery," Kidd said in his postgame press conference. "Our group was ready to go. They were ready to celebrate."

[Phantom255x]

Since going up 91-70 in Game 3, the C's since then have been outscored 151-99. YIKES

[j804]

Since going up 91-70 in Game 3, the C's since then have been outscored 151-99. YIKES

Yea this is extremely alarming. I didn?t think of this we nearly melted down the game before. Man getting even more stressed now.

[Phantom255x]

Since going up 91-70 in Game 3, the C's since then have been outscored 151-99. YIKES

Yea this is extremely alarming. I didn?t think of this we nearly melted down the game before. Man getting even more stressed now.

This team has responded to adversity beautifully this season including the postseason. They'll need to do it again Monday. Adjustments will definitely need to be made though.

[Roy H.]

Since going up 91-70 in Game 3, the C's since then have been outscored 151-99. YIKES

We've only won one of the last nine quarters.