Celtics (40-23) at Clippers (37-25) Game #64 3/6/17

[Clench123]

Avery!

[max215]

Jaylen has been really impressive as a passer today.

[saltlover]

Question - are we a better defensive team without Horford?  There was an article I read today that was positing this.

I mean, having a 2/3/4/5 of AB, Jaylen, Jae, and Amir might make a bit more sense defensively than having Al at the 4. Sure, we're small and that hurts, but it's not like Al's presence would've helped that much on the boards anyways.

No, we are not.  Al in that lineup instead of Amir is superior.

Agreed. The problem isnt Al, it's that Amir and Al are a bad combo

Al and Amir are +7.7 per 100 possessions when on the court.  No player has a better net rating when paired with Horford.  There might be some noise in there, of course, but the data doesn't show that they are a bad combo.

What are the offensive and defensive ratings for that combo? They're good offensively, but I think that combo is a source of a lot of our defensive issues

I think it's matchup specific, too. Like against Love and Cleveland, that's a bad matchup, as we saw in the only matchup they've both been available where Love torched Al.

Both of the Morris twins have had bouts of success against Horford's perimeter D, too, along with Marvin Williams in Charlotte. Essentially, Al struggles with the stretch 4's that are quicker and can stretch beyond the three point line.

Al leads all NBA centers in 3-point shots defended.

Does that account for both makes and misses, or does "defended" mean missed threes?

EDIT: And calling Al a "center" is a bit of a misnomer, too, because he plays a lot of his minutes as the PF next to Amir.

It accounts for makes and misses.  Players shoot 32.6% on 3s when defended by him, which is 17th of 69 centers who defend at least one three per game.

NBA.com calls him a center -- I just filtered by his position.  But he plays fewer than half his minutes with Amir on the court, so he's appropriately classified.

Do they have particular matchup statistics? I'd be interested to see which teams' players he defends better and worse.

You can filter by team if you're the type of person who likes to draw conclusions from small sample sizes.

[Clench123]

I love sticking it to Doc Rivers.  Pls win this game.

[jpotter33]

This Celtics team is so perplexing.

Does the defensive intensity/efficiency really all boil down to effort? How do we go from last night's terrible overall game, including D, to tonight's elite-level D?

On paper, this is a team that should destroy our defense.

[liam]

Jaylen has been really impressive as a passer today.

He should have at least 7 assist tonight but for fouls and fumbles...

[jpotter33]

IT getting MVP chants in LA. Wow. lol

[saltlover]

This Celtics team is so perplexing.

Does the defensive intensity/efficiency really all boil down to effort? How do we go from last night's terrible overall game, including D, to tonight's elite-level D?

On paper, this is a team that should destroy our defense.

Avery Bradley is 1st-team All-Defense for a reason.  The Clippers rely a lot on Chris Paul creating looks for everyone.  That's not happening today.

[manl_lui]

Avery!

followed by another hamstring soreness the next day 

ok now I feel bad saying it

[Clench123]

This Celtics team is so perplexing.

Does the defensive intensity/efficiency really all boil down to effort? How do we go from last night's terrible overall game, including D, to tonight's elite-level D?

On paper, this is a team that should destroy our defense.

You knew the answer, man.  You answered it yourself.  EFFORT

We play down to our opponents and that, sometimes, bite us in the ass.

[Denis998]

MVP chants in Staples Center...unreal

[Emmette Bryant]

Wow Lisa Leslie looks like a mama kangaroo and Marcus Smart looks like he belongs in her pouch.

[Vox_Populi]

Rebounding has been mostly very good.

[Clench123]

Avery!

followed by another hamstring soreness the next day 

ok now I feel bad saying it

Lol.  Only if dude can stay healthy smh

[max215]

MVP chants in Staples Center...unreal

A tribute to PP at Staples feels even weirder.