Cavaliers (48-10) at Celtics (42-17) Game #60 2/28/25

[Phantom255x]

The refs sucked but this is on the Celtics. Had a 25-3 lead, then up 17 in the 3rd and they just blew it. Also horrendous defense most of the 2nd half. Not good

[Who]

That is true. Good point by RJ on commentary. It was CLE getting D Hunter that has allowed them to play this small ball lineup effectively with E Mobley as their sole big throughout the Q4.

The guy is making a difference for them.

That contest on Tatum's 3 further emphasising it. CLE's other smaller wings (Strus, Okoro) could not do that.

[jpotter33]

Really miss Jrue this game.  They're just hunting Hauser. It's not Hauser's fault, can't expect him to guard Mitchell.

Then WHY is he out there?

No great options after him.  Missing 2 starters hurt our depth.

What I don't understand is going back to Kornet.  Queta was worth a look given how badly we looked during Kornet's minutes.

Craig is a viable option behind Hauser. He's a competent three point shooter, and it's not like Hauser is contributing anything else.

Agree about the Kornet issue, but the Hauser thing is completely inexcusable. Complete failure by Joe.

[blink]

this is a rough loss.....uggg

[SCeltic34]

Celtics deserved to lose.  Pitiful 2nd half.

Don't want to blame the refs, but there were some momentum killing calls with some serious BS.  Weak garbage.

[Goldstar88]

Even without two starters, C?s should have won this game. Officials really slanted things in the second half.

[radiohead]

The refs have been screwing the Celtics so badly this game. It?s ridiculous.

That?s an understatement.

[Silas]

Tough loss, but we played without Holiday and KP.  Cleveland full strength.

[SparzWizard]

Tomorrow's headline: Celtics blow 25-3 lead, monster games from Tatum and Brown not enough as the Celtics fold at home to the Cavaliers. Cleveland Cavaliers are the team to beat in the East.

Cavs fans: Told you Boston is nothing to be afraid of. Stomped them at their turf, we'll smoke them in a 7-game series.

[jpotter33]

Tatum didn't even get the triple double either. Shame.

[SCeltic34]

That is true. Good point by RJ on commentary. It was CLE getting D Hunter that has allowed them to play this small ball lineup effectively with E Mobley as their sole big throughout the Q4.

The guy is making a difference for them.

That contest on Tatum's 3 further emphasising it. CLE's other smaller wings (Strus, Okoro) could not do that.

Hunter was a great pickup by Cleveland.  I honestly think that almost puts them on par with us.

I'm still confident in our team in a 7 game series.

[Roy H.]

Yuck.  A 32-point swing is unacceptable, regardless of missing starters.

[blink]

Has a team ever lost a game when they had one guy go for 46 and another guy 37?

[smicker16]

Is there a reason also why Pritchard isn't playing? I feel he could try and maybe make some shots. Hauser isn't even shooting (he has 8 attempts in 33 minutes)

He?s played 25 mins, but I?m guessing Sam is playing over him in the 4th for defensive reasons.

That's hilarious. He's being targeted every single time down the floor and isn't contributing offensively. There's absolutely zero reason to have him out there right now over PP or even Craig, Walsh, etc.

He?s still better defensively than Pritchard. So that?s why?s he?s playing over him. I do agree that Joe should try Craig.

And let?s be honest if Joe put Walsh out there right now people would be calling for his head lol. Fans in the heat of the moment wouldn?t make the best coaches.

And what exactly is Hauser doing out there that would be better than Craig or Walsh? It's one thing if he's contributing offensively, but he's 2-8 and doing nothing offensively. They can at least do a better job of staying in front of the guards and not be targeted literally every single possession.

I mean he is a +18 in this game. Do you really think Craig who has one of the worst defensive ratings in the league would be better? Or Walsh who would provide absolutely zero spacing on offense and would have fouled out in minutes covering Mitchell would have been better? It?s just irrational thinking in the heat of the moment. The Cavs depth killed us in this game and it clearly showed the problem with carrying guys on our team that can?t contribute. If we want to put this game on someone it?s on Brad. And I love the guy but having Walsh, Peterson, etc. was a problem in this game. I mean even Craig wasn?t getting minutes on a worse team.

[radiohead]

Even without two starters, C?s should have won this game. Officials really slanted things in the second half.

We were up 17 and then they called that ridiculous foul on JB. Killed the momentum and JB was forced to sit with 4 fouls. After that the Cavs were allowed to hit us constantly and were rewarded for their flops.