Knicks (0-1) at Celtics (0-1) Game #2 10/23/26

[Goldstar88]

I still hate that we seem to struggle with holding leads and having rough 4ths, but it was nice to see Tatum come through in the clutch today. Best player on the floor tonight as well for both teams

We need more from PP. He?s supposed to lead the bench in scoring. Would he be better off starting?

Probably. I gotta be real, even though he can provide defense I think Walsh is mostly useless out there and should not be getting as much playing time or starting minutes as he does. I know the PP starting experiment didn't work last season, but they gotta try it again this year. Walsh offers zero threat offensively and other teams know that

This is why I thought Baylor would get the nod as the 5th starter over J Walsh / Hugo. I still think that is the way it end up if this J Walsh experiment continues to fail. This is just a detour to the same end point - Baylor as starter.

Baylors defense is not good. This is why Jordan is starting.

Yeah they are gonna need a few of these guys to figure it out. This is partially what hurt last year, a combination of guys having certain flaws, and also a question of what combinations or lineups/rotations would work with Hugo, Baylor, Walsh in particular. Frankly, I think Pritchard needs to take that leap into starter-territory. Doesn't mean he has to finish every game or play heavy minutes but they also gave him that contract for a reason, and they think he can take a leap close to Brunson based on the reports.

I?d also prefer Pritchard starting. I don?t like having two players who can?t generate offense in the starting lineup with Robinson and Walsh. Payton does a lot of things well and I feel like the other starters being elite defensively will help cover his limitations on that end.

I think they want a guy in the starting lineup who can pressure the best scorer on the other team. JB used to do that often and I don?t think they want PG, Tatum or White wearing down doing that. I still think it will end up being Baylor for stretches and Hugo for stretches and Hauser similar to last year. Hopefully one of them steps up and consistently proves they should be the 5th starter.

With no real other ball handler I think they want PP off the bench for that too. Although I think PP should be playing a lot of minutes and closing games.

Feel like Baylor and Hugo are both good ball handlers. Not at Pritchards level obviously, but not many are.

[Phantom255x]

I still hate that we seem to struggle with holding leads and having rough 4ths, but it was nice to see Tatum come through in the clutch today. Best player on the floor tonight as well for both teams

We need more from PP. He?s supposed to lead the bench in scoring. Would he be better off starting?

Probably. I gotta be real, even though he can provide defense I think Walsh is mostly useless out there and should not be getting as much playing time or starting minutes as he does. I know the PP starting experiment didn't work last season, but they gotta try it again this year. Walsh offers zero threat offensively and other teams know that

This is why I thought Baylor would get the nod as the 5th starter over J Walsh / Hugo. I still think that is the way it end up if this J Walsh experiment continues to fail. This is just a detour to the same end point - Baylor as starter.

Baylors defense is not good. This is why Jordan is starting.

Yeah they are gonna need a few of these guys to figure it out. This is partially what hurt last year, a combination of guys having certain flaws, and also a question of what combinations or lineups/rotations would work with Hugo, Baylor, Walsh in particular. Frankly, I think Pritchard needs to take that leap into starter-territory. Doesn't mean he has to finish every game or play heavy minutes but they also gave him that contract for a reason, and they think he can take a leap close to Brunson based on the reports.

I?d also prefer Pritchard starting. I don?t like having two players who can?t generate offense in the starting lineup with Robinson and Walsh. Payton does a lot of things well and I feel like the other starters being elite defensively will help cover his limitations on that end.

I think they want a guy in the starting lineup who can pressure the best scorer on the other team. JB used to do that often and I don?t think they want PG, Tatum or White wearing down doing that. I still think it will end up being Baylor for stretches and Hugo for stretches and Hauser similar to last year. Hopefully one of them steps up and consistently proves they should be the 5th starter.

With no real other ball handler I think they want PP off the bench for that too. Although I think PP should be playing a lot of minutes and closing games.

An issue they ran into last season in the playoffs, especially going into Game 7 was what combination could work in the lineup. Yes Tatum was out, but Joe decided to start Garza, Harper and Baylor along with JB/White. Was it a terrible idea? Yeah. But was there any consistent options he could go to from the youth (Walsh, Hugo, Baylor)? Even Queta was struggling and typically got in foul trouble early.

Yeah, it'd be nice if someone emerged from the group as a consistent starter. I feel like Baylor should be that guy if he can improve the defense, but Hugo could be in the running probably next year. Idk if he can make that huge leap this year but Hugo gives me Josh Hart-vibes if he can score a bit more and polishes his game.

[LilRip]

Terrific game from so many players! Tatum, obviously, player of the game. But I thought all the bigs did real well (M-Rob, Queta, Garza), as did PG and Walsh and White. Only Pritchard didn?t have a good game. He looked overwhelmed at times from the physical and pesky defense.

[Who]

Yeah, it'd be nice if someone emerged from the group as a consistent starter. I feel like Baylor should be that guy if he can improve the defense, but Hugo could be in the running probably next year. Idk if he can make that huge leap this year but Hugo gives me Josh Hart-vibes if he can score a bit more and polishes his game.

It is a bit disappointing how little Hugo has played these first 2 games. Only 4 minutes tonight. Only 10 minutes in game 1.

Hugo must not have shown the coaching staff much in training camp. He was so good at the little things last year that you felt any type of jump in his shot-making / outside shooting would make him a consistent 20-25mpg guy this year. He must not have shown that in camp.

It is only the start of the season but it is a bad start for Hugo.

[radiohead]

Yeah, it'd be nice if someone emerged from the group as a consistent starter. I feel like Baylor should be that guy if he can improve the defense, but Hugo could be in the running probably next year. Idk if he can make that huge leap this year but Hugo gives me Josh Hart-vibes if he can score a bit more and polishes his game.

It is a bit disappointing how little Hugo has played these first 2 games. Only 4 minutes tonight. Only 10 minutes in game 1.

Hugo must not have shown the coaching staff much in training camp. He was so good at the little things last year that you felt any type of jump in his shot-making / outside shooting would make him a consistent 20-25mpg guy this year. He must not have shown that in camp.

It is only the start of the season but it is a bad start for Hugo.

Hugo/Baylor/Walsh will likely get their moments. They?ll be like Robinson/Queta/Garza.

[jpotter33]

Curious to see how we handle the upcoming B2B, especially against two bottom feeders.

[tenn_smoothie]

Brunson is a clutch player. Tatum needs to be that guy too especially with Jaylen gone now

JT with some big buckets late, love to see that

Yes, he hit the big shots at the end of a great rebound game for him.

My problem with those shots was that Mazzula is still just having Tatum go iso to get a very difficult, contested shot up that was probably going to determine the game for us.
We certainly had plenty of time to run a play and get some ball movement for an easier shot.

[Neurotic Guy]

Brunson is a clutch player. Tatum needs to be that guy too especially with Jaylen gone now

JT with some big buckets late, love to see that

Yes, he hit the big shots at the end of a great rebound game for him.

My problem with those shots was that Mazzula is still just having Tatum go iso to get a very difficult, contested shot up that was probably going to determine the game for us.
We certainly had plenty of time to run a play and get some ball movement for an easier shot.

True. He?s not going to make that three at a high %. And my second thought, after being elated that he made it, was that this will encourage this type of shot to win or seal games in the future. 

[Roy H.]

Yeah, it'd be nice if someone emerged from the group as a consistent starter. I feel like Baylor should be that guy if he can improve the defense, but Hugo could be in the running probably next year. Idk if he can make that huge leap this year but Hugo gives me Josh Hart-vibes if he can score a bit more and polishes his game.

It is a bit disappointing how little Hugo has played these first 2 games. Only 4 minutes tonight. Only 10 minutes in game 1.

Hugo must not have shown the coaching staff much in training camp. He was so good at the little things last year that you felt any type of jump in his shot-making / outside shooting would make him a consistent 20-25mpg guy this year. He must not have shown that in camp.

It is only the start of the season but it is a bad start for Hugo.

I'm sure he'll get minutes throughout the year, but it makes the failed Giannis negotiations even more puzzling.

[Silas]

I'm hoping for a big game from JT.  If he had played a decent game against Detroit the Cs would have won the game.  Also looking for a big game from Q.  Go Celtics!

HIGHLIGHTS:
    Jayson Tatum (36 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast)
    Neemias Queta (15 pts, 6 reb, 3 blk)

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Brunson is a clutch player. Tatum needs to be that guy too especially with Jaylen gone now

JT with some big buckets late, love to see that

Yes, he hit the big shots at the end of a great rebound game for him.

My problem with those shots was that Mazzula is still just having Tatum go iso to get a very difficult, contested shot up that was probably going to determine the game for us.
We certainly had plenty of time to run a play and get some ball movement for an easier shot.

agreed. move ball and get a better shot. or drive and get a foul. i was fine with taking shots all game when it was WIDE OPEN and not contested.

still disgusted with the trade for PG but as long as PG is in green and white i will pull for him. if i am a true celtic i have no choice. we should have giannis.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Terrific game from so many players! Tatum, obviously, player of the game. But I thought all the bigs did real well (M-Rob, Queta, Garza), as did PG and Walsh and White. Only Pritchard didn?t have a good game. He looked overwhelmed at times from the physical and pesky defense.

luka G has obviously been working hard on his 3 ball to please jow blow mazzulo. 

even Q had a 3.

[Silas]

Terrific game from so many players! Tatum, obviously, player of the game. But I thought all the bigs did real well (M-Rob, Queta, Garza), as did PG and Walsh and White. Only Pritchard didn?t have a good game. He looked overwhelmed at times from the physical and pesky defense.

luka G has obviously been working hard on his 3 ball to please jow blow mazzulo. 

even Q had a 3.

Garza led the Celtics last season in 3pt %.....43.3%

[LilRip]

Brunson is a clutch player. Tatum needs to be that guy too especially with Jaylen gone now

JT with some big buckets late, love to see that

Yes, he hit the big shots at the end of a great rebound game for him.

My problem with those shots was that Mazzula is still just having Tatum go iso to get a very difficult, contested shot up that was probably going to determine the game for us.
We certainly had plenty of time to run a play and get some ball movement for an easier shot.

I?m going off of memory here so I could be wrong but 2 out of those 3 clutch shots came off of plays and weren?t just isos

1) the turnaround post up shot came after a double screen action got Tatum downhill but the Knicks packed the paint and Tatum pulled out. Went 1v1 and nailed the turnaround J

2) was off of some broken play. Tatum got it with 5 seconds left or something. Just elite shotmaking

3) was off of a pick and roll where Tatum got the switch, went for a stepback, pump fake, and then hit the 3.

So it isnt just iso after iso out there, but yeah, at some point, your stars have to play like stars

[Vermont Green]

It was a good game, obviously.  BOS did lose the 4th quarter though (24-30), even though they made some clutch shots.  Tatum played 7 minutes of the 4th, rested the first 5 min or so.  The team was -6 in the 4th with Tatum on the floor.  The rest seemed to help his shooting though.  Tatum was 4-7 in the 4th, George 2-3, the rest of the team 3-11 (in the 4th).  Will be interesting to see if resting Tatum to start the 4th becomes a trend.  On the season, BOS is -20 total in the 4th, trailing only MIL (-24).

Overall, I break the season down as having played (4) halfs.  They played well in 3 of 4 halfs, and really bad in one of them.  All against top of the league teams.  I don't feel that I have seen enough to have much of an opinion as to whether the team will be better, worse, or about the same as I was expecting (I was expecting them to be at least as good as last season in the regular season).  They are certainly going to have to play better in the 4th quarter.