Celtics (26-10) at Nuggets (20-14) Game #37 1/7/25

[Phantom255x]

We aren?t shooting 3s at a historic rate like early in the year (50+ attempts) but at the same time I feel like we?re missing way too many open looks really in the past few months. Yes some of the 3s are annoying but they are even bricking the wide open ones way more than last season

[jpotter33]

As much as I hate the over-reliance on the three that we have this year, this is one of those games where I think we need to shoot more from three.

They're overplaying us on the perimeter to try and force us inside, which is an interesting gamble by Malone because they don't have rim protection. However, he's betting that this is a better bet to beat Boston (particularly with no Jokic) than by letting us get a lot of threes up.

He's essentially playing the math game in reverse, betting that we won't get enough twos to go and that we'll be out of our normal offensive rhythm by doing this. Pretty smart gamble that is working out well for him so far. It's hard to just completely switch up your offensive identity like this, particularly for us given how reliant on the three we are.

[blink]

7'3 Kristaps, 6'9 Tatum and 6'10 Horford all right at the rim and Christian Braun gets the rebound. Not great.

At least Brown has woken up. 3/3 all in the paint, great drop off to Kristaps off another drive.

Braun is an issue with 7 in the 3rd, uggg...

[Phantom255x]

Russell Curry tonight

[jpotter33]

This two big lineup is just killing us defensively. All it takes is a little bit of ball movement to get the two bigs behind in their rotations leading to open shots like that Braun three. Yet Joe seems completely set on throwing out two big lineups this year.

We really need another capable wing/big guard off the bench. Honestly, Walker may have been really helpful. Even Brissett would've been helpful, especially with X seemingly out of the rotation.

[SCeltic34]

We're fortunate Denver's transition defense is non existent this quarter.  Good passes by Jrue.

[Surferdad]

Malone really hot at his guys for not getting back on the leakout by JT

[blink]

I like the energy from JB in the 2nd half.   Moving better and playing good def.  The super aggressive quick decision JB is a nightmare to defend.

[Phantom255x]

Great 90 secs there!

[Silas]

Refs are getting carried away with touch fouls.

[jpotter33]

Giving up 9 offensive rebounds to a small, Jokic-less Nuggets team is inexcusable and just highlights an effort issue, especially when we're inexplicably playing primarily double big/center lineups.

[Phantom255x]

Here comes the bench. 6 pt lead, 5 mins left in 3rd

What can go wrong

[SCeltic34]

Joe stays big when Denver goes small.

[Indocelts]

We need to increase the lead by taking more quality 3s now.
Denver is actually taking more 3s than the Cs.

[jpotter33]

Good Lord, Joe. Are you watching this game? What is the rationale for putting two dang immobile bigs out there right now? They don't have a single center out there right now and barely even a big forward.

Our bigs are getting killed defensively. Open your eyes and adjust!