Celtics (47-32) at Hawks (47-32) Game #80 4/9/16

[CelticSooner]

Bummer.  Hate the idea of playing the cavs in the second round. Maybe we should fall to 6th.

Cavs? Lol, I'd be happy to get out of the first round at this point. I agree, I would much rather face Atlanta. We're better off with the 6th seed.

Why? Did you just see what kind of shooting power Atlanta has compared to Miami? It would probably take 7 to beat Miami but Atlanta beats the C's in 5 or 6.

[mctyson]

Bummer.  Hate the idea of playing the cavs in the second round. Maybe we should fall to 6th.

If we fall to 6 we're losing the first round in 4 or 5 against a battle tested Hawks team that has plenty of experience winning games in the post-season and can kill us at both big positions.

They lose a road game on 2nd night of back-to-back (that was close for most of the game) because Milsap goes off and they go cold and suddenly its a sweep?

Unreal.

[tankcity!]

My fear with Miami is that they're a mostly veteran team that seems like it could become a lot tougher in the playoffs.  Especially if Bosh comes back.  Is that still a possibility?

Yeah, that's a possibility, more likely in the 2nd round though. 

[jpotter33]

My fear with Miami is that they're a mostly veteran team that seems like it could become a lot tougher in the playoffs.  Especially if Bosh comes back.  Is that still a possibility?

I don't think so. I think he wants to, but Riley isn't having it.

[RockinRyA]

This game was lost in the 3rd. I went out to make basting sauce for my roast pork when we were up 12 and when I came back the Hawks were leading.

This is what irks me about Thomas, he is unselfish when he has a good game, tends to be very focused on getting his shots when he's off. Can't fault him too much this game though coz other than Smart and Amir, nobody shot well.

We really need a mobile stretch 4. Or a reliable shooter at the 3 if Crowder plays the 4. We need Smart in the lineup, playing 2 or 1 that we need to put shooters around him. Our small ball lineup is not the same without Smart because he can handle switches pretty well.

[tankcity!]

We beat Heat when they had Bosh and when they didn't and Whiteside doesn't seem to bother the Celtics too much, for whatever reason. We've beaten Charlotte twice in their own gym. I'm not honestly worried about either of those two teams and the statistics bear it out.

I wouldn't make my conclusions based on the regular season with Miami. They sit their starters half the time.

[jpotter33]

We beat Heat when they had Bosh and when they didn't and Whiteside doesn't seem to bother the Celtics too much, for whatever reason. We've beaten Charlotte twice in their own gym. I'm not honestly worried about either of those two teams and the statistics bear it out.

TP. We soundly beat both teams twice, so I don't see why people are worried. We matchup very well with both teams, and we've shown that we can handle them. Bring them on, but it sucks that we're going to see the Cavs in the second round if we advance.

[LarBrd33]

Bummer.  Hate the idea of playing the cavs in the second round. Maybe we should fall to 6th.

And play the Hawks in the first round? Naw, I'll chance a Cavs second round versus having a much tougher first round opponent.

Yeah probably true.

[tankcity!]

Bummer.  Hate the idea of playing the cavs in the second round. Maybe we should fall to 6th.

Cavs? Lol, I'd be happy to get out of the first round at this point. I agree, I would much rather face Atlanta. We're better off with the 6th seed.

Why? Did you just see what kind of shooting power Atlanta has compared to Miami? It would probably take 7 to beat Miami but Atlanta beats the C's in 5 or 6.

Dude, they were just hot tonight. You think they're going to shoot that well? And they were at home. It's one regular season game. Just look at their players three point shooting stats. It's not that impressive.

[SHAQATTACK]

My fear with Miami is that they're a mostly veteran team that seems like it could become a lot tougher in the playoffs.  Especially if Bosh comes back.  Is that still a possibility?

Technically, yes, but it seems highly unlikely.

I think the club doesn't want him to.....would not want to see something truely awful,happen on TV .

I believe too,many forces , probably his own family don't want him activated for the playoffs.

I think they is very slim chance ......even so.......he has been idle and it might take a good number of games to,return to stamina and form.  He has been out a good while

[SparzWizard]

My fear with Miami is that they're a mostly veteran team that seems like it could become a lot tougher in the playoffs.  Especially if Bosh comes back.  Is that still a possibility?

This Miami Heat team might be like the Boston Celtics of 2012 playoffs. They got vets, and plenty of playoff experiences.

[RockinRyA]

We beat Heat when they had Bosh and when they didn't and Whiteside doesn't seem to bother the Celtics too much, for whatever reason. We've beaten Charlotte twice in their own gym. I'm not honestly worried about either of those two teams and the statistics bear it out.

I wouldn't make my conclusions based on the regular season with Miami. They sit their starters half the time.

They didn't sit them against us. We match up pretty well against the Heat and Hornets. The teams I want to avoid in the playoffs are the Cavs, Hawks. Lesser evils but tough matchup will be the Pacers, Pistons and Raptors.

[jpotter33]

I'm going to get killed on this board, but I'm pretty confident Miami will beat us in 5.

How do you figure? We've dominated them this year, and they've been absolutely terrible on the road recently.

IMO, they have been saving themselves for the playoffs. I think they will take it to another level and D-wade will play well. But you could be right, just not buying their regular season inconsistency. They remind me a an old veteran team that has been waiting for the playoffs to come. I also like Winslow as a defender.

Winslow doesn't start though, does he? It's Dragic, Wade, Deng at the 1-2-3, correct? That means that Dragic will be on IT for the most part (because Wade is too old and they want to save his energy for offense), and IT will kill Dragic offensively.

[Vox_Populi]

We beat Heat when they had Bosh and when they didn't and Whiteside doesn't seem to bother the Celtics too much, for whatever reason. We've beaten Charlotte twice in their own gym. I'm not honestly worried about either of those two teams and the statistics bear it out.

I wouldn't make my conclusions based on the regular season with Miami. They sit their starters half the time.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. And even so, they didn't against the Celtics.

[CelticSooner]

Bummer.  Hate the idea of playing the cavs in the second round. Maybe we should fall to 6th.

Cavs? Lol, I'd be happy to get out of the first round at this point. I agree, I would much rather face Atlanta. We're better off with the 6th seed.

Why? Did you just see what kind of shooting power Atlanta has compared to Miami? It would probably take 7 to beat Miami but Atlanta beats the C's in 5 or 6.

Dude, they were just hot tonight. You think they're going to shoot that well? And they were at home. It's one regular season game. Just look at their players three point shooting stats. It's not that impressive.

They are 3-1 versus the C's compared to Miami who hasn't beaten the C's yet. You say you regular season doesn't matter but matchups do. Atlanta is a better team than Miami. The playoffs will show you that.