Hornets (43-36) at Celtics (53-25) Game #79 4/7/26

[SHAQATTACK]

I'm guessing Joe will rest both JB and JT against New York.

JB   Rest

JT    Must play ?he needs the minutes ,  strengthening,  rhythm

Vooch ??must play ??.rhythm and conditioning and real game time with JT

[Phantom255x]

I'm guessing Joe will rest both JB and JT against New York.

I might be in the minority but I wouldn't mind that. The C's clinch the 2 seed with 1 more win, or a Knicks loss. C's have a B2B Thursday and Friday. Wouldn't mind just resting a ton of guys Thursday, and then just taking care of business early vs. the Pelicans and resting most of the guys again in the 2nd half + Sunday's game.

Knicks vs. Celtics seems like the likely 2nd round series, so just save your bullets and stay healthy, don't unload everything on Thursday

Yea I get PTSD of Tatum playing at MSG so just rest him and JB. Let 'em meet again in the postseason for the rematch

Vucevic definitely needs to play these final 3 games and get some minutes under his legs and hopefully his shot back. He'll come off the bench in the playoffs anyways but if he can find some rhythm he's still a useful piece in the frontcourt rotation with Queta/Garza. God forbid but if someone else gets hurt or maybe in foul trouble in a playoff game, that's where having Vucevic and his veteran experience will help a ton since Queta and Garza are both young

[Celtics2021]

I'm guessing Joe will rest both JB and JT against New York.

It is a Prime game, so there will be some pressure from the league to play them.  And I bet they do play. My guess is Joe wanted them to go for big minutes against a playoff caliber opponent and have to travel with only a single day off before the next tough game with a playoff atmosphere, just to have that feeling.

And then they will both rest the final two games.

[trickybilly]

Maybe this needs its own thread, but it's wild to me how Vooch was thought of as a steal at 3 years 60mill, but now, with his bad defense, he will barely crack the vet min for his next deal.

Definitely useful enough to be impactful within a 7 game series though...

[SparzWizard]

Maybe this needs its own thread, but it's wild to me how Vooch was thought of as a steal at 3 years 60mill, but now, with his bad defense, he will barely crack the vet min for his next deal.

Definitely useful enough to be impactful within a 7 game series though...

The PJ Brown or the Grant Williams of Game 7s maybe.

[Neurotic Guy]

Maybe this needs its own thread, but it's wild to me how Vooch was thought of as a steal at 3 years 60mill, but now, with his bad defense, he will barely crack the vet min for his next deal.

Definitely useful enough to be impactful within a 7 game series though...

The PJ Brown or the Grant Williams of Game 7s maybe.

It remains to be seen but my guess is that Vuc will play well in the seasons final games and that it will feel pretty good to have QVG as our center options in the playoffs. We can complain about Vuc not performing to expectations but need to look at it in the context of ending the season with a miles better center rotation than thought possible in lieu of trading significant assets for someone like Sabonis.  Not worried about Vuc, he?ll provide a low post presence, he will hit threes, he?ll pass, and like PJ he?ll make a big vet play at some point when it?s needed.

[slamtheking]

I'm guessing Joe will rest both JB and JT against New York.

It is a Prime game, so there will be some pressure from the league to play them.  And I bet they do play. My guess is Joe wanted them to go for big minutes against a playoff caliber opponent and have to travel with only a single day off before the next tough game with a playoff atmosphere, just to have that feeling.

And then they will both rest the final two games.

I think you're right that the game being on Prime will get the league to push the C's to play Tatum and JB.  the other incentives are to get any PTSD Tatum may have about playing in MSG (which really shouldn't be the case, the arena didn't cause the injury) addressed now rather than the playoffs and to also have the satisfaction of personally killing NY's hopes for the #2 seed.   

The J's can rest against NO where the C's non-star roster should still be able to get a win.   Final game of the year may see the J's for just the first half to stay tuned up with a long layoff ahead due to the play-in games

[Celtic Fan Forever]

I'm guessing Joe will rest both JB and JT against New York.

It is a Prime game, so there will be some pressure from the league to play them.  And I bet they do play. My guess is Joe wanted them to go for big minutes against a playoff caliber opponent and have to travel with only a single day off before the next tough game with a playoff atmosphere, just to have that feeling.

And then they will both rest the final two games.

I think you're right that the game being on Prime will get the league to push the C's to play Tatum and JB.  the other incentives are to get any PTSD Tatum may have about playing in MSG (which really shouldn't be the case, the arena didn't cause the injury) addressed now rather than the playoffs and to also have the satisfaction of personally killing NY's hopes for the #2 seed.   

The J's can rest against NO where the C's non-star roster should still be able to get a win.   Final game of the year may see the J's for just the first half to stay tuned up with a long layoff ahead due to the play-in games

Last time JT was in that arena he suffered a traumatic injury so I think the PTSD is real. When they interviewed him post game last night he was not thrilled about going there. I hope he gets it out of the way, has a good game, and is ready and clear headed to face them in Round 2. If we beat them we clinch the 2 seed and we should rest the Jays the final 2 games

[hodgy03038]

I haven't been able to read anything but I have to say that Vooch looks like toast. He does absolutely nothing well. I think he should be our 3rd big. Garza is much better at everything: rebounding, setting screens, shooting 3s and effort and intensity. Will Maxulla ever see this or will they continually force feed Vooch to make the trade look like a success.

[Who]

Vuce is getting way too much criticism. He just hasn't settled in yet. He was playing good basketball for Chicago 2-3 months ago. He ain't cooked.

[Goldstar88]

Vuce is getting way too much criticism. He just hasn't settled in yet. He was playing good basketball for Chicago 2-3 months ago. He ain't cooked.

Exactly. He literally just came back from injury after missing a month. 

The guy averaged 17pts/9rebs/4ast this year for Chicago. He just needs to get acclimated.

[Celtics2021]

Vuce is getting way too much criticism. He just hasn't settled in yet. He was playing good basketball for Chicago 2-3 months ago. He ain't cooked.

I do not think he is cooked.  I am concerned that there is no time for him to get acclimated before the playoffs and that playing him could cost us.  It was a freak injury and no one?s fault, but it has not helped.

Tomorrow will be a test.  The Knicks made Vooch look awful two months ago.  Hopefully he is better tomorrow.

[hodgy03038]

Was Garza playing bad? Ever?

No offense but if he doesn't improve immediately I say use the more effective player who is Garza.

[Goldstar88]

Was Garza playing bad? Ever?

No offense but if he doesn't improve immediately I say use the more effective player who is Garza.

I?m going to go with yes, considering he?s played in 67 of the Celtics 79 games. That?s quite a few DNPs

Garza has had training camp, preseason, and almost an entire regular season playing with his teammates. Vooch has had weeks.

[Who]

Was Garza playing bad? Ever?

No offense but if he doesn't improve immediately I say use the more effective player who is Garza.

Yes. Garza was awful at the start of the season. He was killing us on defense and not doing enough on offense to make up for it.