Who should close the game?

[green18!]

For the first time in the Brad Stevens era, the whole feels like less than the sum of the parts. Part of the problem is that the stretch 4 they need isn't yet on the roster and no amount of wishing KO would get tougher or Sully would hit an outside shot will change that.

I think they should close with IT, Turner, Bradley, Crowder, and Amir. Smart is remarkable on defense but not yet consistent enough on offense to close the game. This lineup is tough, can shoot (some), can defend, can penetrate, and has experience. Everyone will need to rebound. Consistently closing with this lineup would help them in the tight games. Smart should play lots of early 4th quarter minutes to bring energy and defense.

Would like to see more RJ Hunter in the second unit -- high basketball IQ and good shooter. The next time KO scores 20, I would trade him before he gets to the post-game interview.

[PhoSita]

I think to close the games they should just put Thomas and Crowder out there and make sure everybody else on the floor can take and make an outside shot and avoid gumming up the works offensively.  That means no Smart, no Lee, no Turner, no Sullinger.

Thomas, Bradley, Crowder, Jerebko, Olynyk


It still surprises me sometimes to see the intense dislike some folks have for Olynyk.  He's not an amazing player, nor is he a great physical presence at the center position. 

He is, though, an uncommonly skilled and versatile seven footer who makes the team better on offense, and a lot of the time on defense, as well.  He spaces the floor, keeps the ball moving, and makes smart plays.  Sometimes he's too hesitant with his shot and it'd be great to see him play with aggression on offense more often, but overall you really can't complain too much.  His offensive production comes and goes, but I think you can put him out there in pretty much any situation and trust that he'll help the team execute Brad's plans.

[Bostoncelticsforlife7]

I think Crowder Turner and Smart are our clutchest players. Thomas would be up there but he turned the ball over like three times this season when trying to win the game. I do not like having Avery taking the last shot. He is capable of making big shots but it seems that a lot of times he misses them.

[max215]

Isaiah
Bradley or Smart
Crowder
Amir
KO

[crimson_stallion]

Since coaches often sub out in the end of games during transitions from offense to defense, I'm going to put my preferred offensive lineup, and my preferred defensive lineup.

Offensive
Thomas
Bradley
Turner
Johnson
Olynyk

Reason:
- Thomas' ability to penetrate and dish to the open man, as well as his ability to hit tough shots, makes him a 'must have' on offense

- Bradley is arguably our best outside shooter, and if I absolutely needed a three to win the game and had to choose ONE MAN to take it, my first choice would be Bradley (followed by Thomas, and then Olynyk and Crowder tied for a distant 3rd).

- Turner is out second best shot creator, is deadly from midrange, and is a capable ball handler and passer.  When the game is on the line you want a second shot creator out there on the floor in case the plays you draw up don't go to plan and the defense takes away your #1 option.  He is a high risk player (he's as likely to turn the ball over as he is to hit the game winner) but in times like this you need to take that risk.  It was a tough call putting him over Crowder, but Crowder is less capable as a passer and shot creator, and he (like Turner) also tends to make his share of bad clutch decisions.  I feel if Turner and Crowder are both taking difficult, ill advised shots, then Turner is probably the one most likely to make it. 

- Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk are both good offensive rebounders, they both also have great hands (so they can catch almost anything), they both finish at a very high percentage around the basket, they are both good (and unselfish) passers, they both have high BBIQ, they are both dependable free throw shooters, and they are both good at keeping their cool under pressure.  If need be, they are both capable of stepping out and hitting the open three.  That's pretty much everything you want from a big man at the end of games.


Defensive
Smart
Bradley
Crowder
Johnson
Olynyk

I think this lineup is ultimately pretty self explanatory, with the only exception being maybe Olynyk.  I selected Olynyk because I think he is the best man for the job, because:

* Lee is too incompetent on defense
* Sully is too inconsistent on defense, and gets frustrated easily (questionable decisions)
* Zeller is too inconsistent on defense

Olynyk is no beastly shot blocker, but he plays outstanding positional defense and is almost always in the right place at the right time, and he's highly unlikely to lose his cool and get a tech / flagrant (hence giving up possession).

[green18!]

I was wrong. Go with your best players at the end. There will be days when Turner over Smart is the right move, but Brad made the right choices today.

[loco_91]

The lineup we had out to close this game is our best lineup. IT, AB, Smart, Crowder, Johnson. You could put Sully or Olynyk in for Johnson, but I think that IT, AB, Smart and Crowder are just our best players. The only reason not to go to this lineup is if the opposing 3 is someone that can exploit Smart - but after watching him D up Porzingis, I don't think there are many 3's like that in the league.

[Surferdad]

The lineup we had out to close this game is our best lineup. IT, AB, Smart, Crowder, Johnson. You could put Sully or Olynyk in for Johnson, but I think that IT, AB, Smart and Crowder are just our best players. The only reason not to go to this lineup is if the opposing 3 is someone that can exploit Smart - but after watching him D up Porzingis, I don't think there are many 3's like that in the league.

No disagree, that lineup worked largely because of Johnson. The key was Johnson, Smart and Crowder playing defense and getting rebounds.

I predict that after this Pacer game, Stevens will go with that lineup more often.

[Celtics18]

The lineup we had out to close this game is our best lineup. IT, AB, Smart, Crowder, Johnson. You could put Sully or Olynyk in for Johnson, but I think that IT, AB, Smart and Crowder are just our best players. The only reason not to go to this lineup is if the opposing 3 is someone that can exploit Smart - but after watching him D up Porzingis, I don't think there are many 3's like that in the league.

No disagree, that lineup worked largely because of Johnson. The key was Johnson, Smart and Crowder playing defense and getting rebounds.

I predict that after this Pacer game, Stevens will go with that lineup more often.

That's actually the lineup that started the third quarter against the Knicks (with Marcus at power forward) and played well.

Glad to see this unit finish strong tonight against the Pacers. 

They're only undersized in height.  In heart, hustle, toughness, definitely oversized.

[Who]

It's all about matchups.

This team isn't talented enough to dictate matchups.

They have to be reactive - respond to what the other team is doing. Sometimes they will need to go small like against Indiana. Other times big. Sometimes they'll need the muscle of Sully and Amir. Other times they can go with the offense of Olynyk. Sometimes they might need the size and speed of Jerebko. It will vary based on who they are playing against.

The Celtics best closing lineup will change based on their opponent.

[SHAQATTACK]

We don't have that player yet.

I d like to have CBS running plays for

Paul George during the last three minutes of every game.

[spikelovetheCelts]

The lineup we had out to close this game is our best lineup. IT, AB, Smart, Crowder, Johnson. You could put Sully or Olynyk in for Johnson, but I think that IT, AB, Smart and Crowder are just our best players. The only reason not to go to this lineup is if the opposing 3 is someone that can exploit Smart - but after watching him D up Porzingis, I don't think there are many 3's like that in the league.

No disagree, that lineup worked largely because of Johnson. The key was Johnson, Smart and Crowder playing defense and getting rebounds.

I predict that after this Pacer game, Stevens will go with that lineup more often.

We all have worried about the end of Close Games. Last Night hopefully will inspire them that it can be done. I have been down on IT to take the closing shot but if you don't practice you never get there. I am sure PP took some lumps in the beginning, too.

[nickagneta]

It's all about matchups.

This team isn't talented enough to dictate matchups.

They have to be reactive - respond to what the other team is doing. Sometimes they will need to go small like against Indiana. Other times big. Sometimes they'll need the muscle of Sully and Amir. Other times they can go with the offense of Olynyk. Sometimes they might need the size and speed of Jerebko. It will vary based on who they are playing against.

The Celtics best closing lineup will change based on their opponent.

Gotta agree with this. There may be a couple of players that will always be in the closing lineup, specifically Crowder and Thomas, but everyone else is going to be dependent on matchups and who has the hot hand at the moment. unfortunately this is what happens when your entire roster is filled with role players, each with glaring weaknesses in their games.

[Evantime34]

I like the lineup they went with last night at the end of the game. Thomas, Bradley, Smart, Crowder, Amir.

[manl_lui]

we might lose the game, but I wanna see how a Crowder down crunch time does