Celtics (33-19) at Blazers (23-30) Game #53 2/9/17

[liam]

For anyone who missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUm80Nr--8A

[jpotter33]

Smart getting major praise from his teammates tonight:

IT on Smart - "When you want to be a championship team, you have to have guys like that on the team."

Brown on Smart - "He changes the game every time he gets on the floor. He just does wonders for this team."

Smart on Smart - "My teammates tell me every day, 'The things you do without scoring the ball is incredible. It wins games for us.'"

Lillard also gave Smart a ton of props and credit talking to the media afterwards. He talked about how he just makes "winning plays" and how he was instrumental to help them win tonight. Talked about him for quite awhile for an opponent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fojHLPtJEE

EDIT: McCollum giving Smart props, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf3qNyIRpU0.

[SHAQATTACK]

These 10:30 start times are just too late for me to sit though and get up a 4:48 AM ...UGH , I did not even make it half way. ...I died ..LOL

Was pleased to see th Celtics won ...Woo hoo.

[BE-Celtic]

These 10:30 start times are just too late for me to sit though and get up a 4:48 AM ...UGH , I did not even make it half way. ...I died ..LOL

Was pleased to see th Celtics won ...Woo hoo.

4:48 am is the time I've got to wake up if I want to catch the game live, if it can make you feel better

[RockinRyA]

Smart getting major praise from his teammates tonight:

IT on Smart - "When you want to be a championship team, you have to have guys like that on the team."

Brown on Smart - "He changes the game every time he gets on the floor. He just does wonders for this team."

Smart on Smart - "My teammates tell me every day, 'The things you do without scoring the ball is incredible. It wins games for us.'"

Lillard also gave Smart a ton of props and credit talking to the media afterwards. He talked about how he just makes "winning plays" and how he was instrumental to help them win tonight. Talked about him for quite awhile for an opponent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fojHLPtJEE

EDIT: McCollum giving Smart props, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf3qNyIRpU0.

Im a fan of McCollum. Looks like a nice guy. His article about being a rookie won me over.

[SHAQATTACK]

Smart getting major praise from his teammates tonight:

IT on Smart - "When you want to be a championship team, you have to have guys like that on the team."

Brown on Smart - "He changes the game every time he gets on the floor. He just does wonders for this team."

Smart on Smart - "My teammates tell me every day, 'The things you do without scoring the ball is incredible. It wins games for us.'"

Lillard also gave Smart a ton of props and credit talking to the media afterwards. He talked about how he just makes "winning plays" and how he was instrumental to help them win tonight. Talked about him for quite awhile for an opponent:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fojHLPtJEE

EDIT: McCollum giving Smart props, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf3qNyIRpU0.

Anybody player that likes Smarts game , is a Celtic at heart . 

[Clench123]

[dang], we won?!?!  Lol.  Wow.  I'd have to watch the game when I get back from work but I'll gladly eat this crow. 

[apc]

Just watched the full highlights, looks it was a very entertaining game.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7--6BPhZ_Q

[hwangjini_1]

Also, Clench, I assume you have woken and are reading this: you suck!!!!!!!   

Hey Coach Bo as well!

any updates on Bender or Dunn? lol

Dunn is riding the pine like he's riding on a**** and bender just had ankle surgery
 

Sigh...and I said the Celtics should have chosen either of them before brown in the draft. 

I guess this is one more reason why ainge is GM and not me. 

[jambr380]

Just watched the full highlights, looks it was a very entertaining game.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7--6BPhZ_Q

TP for the highlights. I had to go to bed with a couple of minutes left in the first half when they were down by 17. Definitely didn't think there was no chance  to get a W, but it certainly is a nice surprise to wake up to.

[Surferdad]

When Jaylen starts finishing these plays, he's going to be dangerous.  Man, with he + Smart + BKN 17, we have a bright, not-so-distant future of young talent.

Yes indeed.  He has been missing some easy bunnies, like Mike Gorman says, "everything but the basket".  The game hasn't slowed down yet for Jaylen, he's still a rookie and is trying really hard and probably putting too much pressure on himself.  That will pass by next season.

A young core of Smart, Brown, BKN17 should be on par with any young core in the league including Minny, Philly, Milwaukee, LAL.  Meantime we have IT4, Horford, Crowder, Bradley, Ibaka (?) to bridge the gap to the next generation...it's called compete and build at the same time.   

[tankcity!]

Alright - riddle me this:

This energy and fire that we've played with since about two minutes left in the first half is what we played with ALL of last year. It has been what has sparked this run to this lead, causing them 14 turnovers, mostly forced.

Why do we not play like this ALL of the time this year? Is it simply because we AREN'T putting the energy into it?

You're acting as thought this team has disappointed. Look at the talent on the roster and then look at their record. You keep complaining about Olynk's defense. It's like you expect him to be Draymond Green. Relax dude, geez. We're not contenders yet. Just enjoy the ride until we are.

Oh and our D has been hurt by Horford. He's not a pick and roll defender. He's playing a lot for this team, offense has improved, defense has decreased. Pretty straightforward.

[oldtype]

Alright - riddle me this:

This energy and fire that we've played with since about two minutes left in the first half is what we played with ALL of last year. It has been what has sparked this run to this lead, causing them 14 turnovers, mostly forced.

Why do we not play like this ALL of the time this year? Is it simply because we AREN'T putting the energy into it?

You're acting as thought this team has disappointed. Look at the talent on the roster and then look at their record. You keep complaining about Olynk's defense. It's like you expect him to be Draymond Green. Relax dude, geez. We're not contenders yet. Just enjoy the ride until we are.

Oh and our D has been hurt by Horford. He's not a pick and roll defender. He's playing a lot for this team, offense has improved, defense has decreased. Pretty straightforward.

IMO, the team played at 110% all game every game last year and got destroyed by injuries in the playoffs.  I think they've realized that they need to pick and choose their spots in the regular season and this year, they're good enough to still get the #2 seed even while doing so.

[Phantom255x]

Got to give it to the C's last night.

They battled with grit and hustle, and made the comeback.

They NEEDED that W after the bad game Wednesday night.

Won't be easy Saturday night against another great team in Utah.

[saltlover]

Alright - riddle me this:

This energy and fire that we've played with since about two minutes left in the first half is what we played with ALL of last year. It has been what has sparked this run to this lead, causing them 14 turnovers, mostly forced.

Why do we not play like this ALL of the time this year? Is it simply because we AREN'T putting the energy into it?

You're acting as thought this team has disappointed. Look at the talent on the roster and then look at their record. You keep complaining about Olynk's defense. It's like you expect him to be Draymond Green. Relax dude, geez. We're not contenders yet. Just enjoy the ride until we are.

Oh and our D has been hurt by Horford. He's not a pick and roll defender. He's playing a lot for this team, offense has improved, defense has decreased. Pretty straightforward.

IMO, the team played at 110% all game every game last year and got destroyed by injuries in the playoffs.  I think they've realized that they need to pick and choose their spots in the regular season and this year, they're good enough to still get the #2 seed even while doing so.

This is my opinion too.  I think when the playoffs comes they'll turn up a notch of intensity on the defensive end -- at least in terms of our perimeter defenders.  Assuming we're healthy, of course (as even playing less than full-tilt basketball has not protected us from injuries.)

I'm excited to see this team in the playoffs -- unlike some who believe we're a better regular season team, I think we're very well-equipped to have a sustained run.  The injuries during the regular season have been frustrating, but it's given Brad that many more opportunities to try out lineup combinations.  That experimentation will pay dividends in May.