washington defense

[rollie mass]

has not been able to adapt to isaiahs constant probing-it seems that their guards are working too hard a both ends
it takes a team that prides itself on defense has length and a 100% commitment
tired legs make for missed shots with the addition of rozier , brown and even kelly have kept washington  being pressured-
Horford sets very good screens,and pressure of avery,crowder and smart is wearing
I think marcus is showing some mental fatigue
This time of year is not for the weak as bodies and injuries take their toll
Washington has to adapt and celtics bench is gaining confidence

[cousytoheinsohn]

Great points.

It's nice to see Kelly getting some run and playing well. He doesn't always look good doing it, but his contribution is real [like the bounce], regularly underestimated and for the most part unappreciated. On those occasions he exceeds himself , the Celts are a different team and a threat to at least make the finals. And they, like their coach, seem to be getting better in a variety of ways all the time. Exciting stuff and so fun to watch.

Isaiah is simply one of the greatest players in the NBA. No hyperbole. At all.

I hope and expect that he'll be in Boston for a long time.

[Surferdad]

has not been able to adapt to isaiahs constant probing-it seems that their guards are working too hard a both ends
it takes a team that prides itself on defense has length and a 100% commitment
tired legs make for missed shots with the addition of rozier , brown and even kelly have kept washington  being pressured-
Horford sets very good screens,and pressure of avery,crowder and smart is wearing
I think marcus is showing some mental fatigue
This time of year is not for the weak as bodies and injuries take their toll
Washington has to adapt and celtics bench is gaining confidence

I think it is physical more than mental.  Smart gets winded sometimes (with his thick body, this reminds me a bit of Sully).  Mentally, I think he is fine.  Yes, he is sometimes a hothead, but Thug Morris is nobody to be scared of.  Frankly, I would bet on him to beat Morris in a bar fight.

[droopdog7]

None of this matters if we can't get the first quarter under control.  They pretty much killed us in Washington both games.

[td450]

For some time I've felt that one of the biggest advantages of our backcourt (IT and Avery) has been how they tend to fatigue the other team's starting backcourt over the course of the game.

There are obvious disadvantages to being small in basketball, and we have the smallest backcourt I can remember ever seeing start for an NBA team. But they are also the fastest backcourt in the league by a considerable margin. They are pressing you with their speed the whole game.

Our two starters are super-fit guys with games that seem to exhaust opponents by the fourth quarter. IT seems to be able to run at full speed for the whole game, and AB seems to have some Havlicek like superpowers too.

Wall and Beal have faded at the end of these games. They are both quite good defenders, but they need to carry their scoring too

[Chris22]

None of this matters if we can't get the first quarter under control.  They pretty much killed us in Washington both games.

Brad is the laboratory right now cooking up an antidote.

[KGBirdBias]

Benches usually play better at home so I expect them to play better and win tonight. If they can't beat the C's tonight or Sunday this series is over.

[hwangjini_1]

Benches usually play better at home so I expect them to play better and win tonight. If they can't beat the C's tonight or Sunday this series is over.

are you saying that benches play better at home as compared to how starters play? not sure of your point. could you please point us towards an article or something that demonstrates this?

Thanks.

[KGBirdBias]

Benches usually play better at home so I expect them to play better and win tonight. If they can't beat the C's tonight or Sunday this series is over.

are you saying that benches play better at home as compared to how starters play? not sure of your point. could you please point us towards an article or something that demonstrates this?

Thanks.

This has been a sentiment in basketball for years and years. Stars normally carry teams on the road and benches at home. If the starters on the road are not playing as well, it normally translates to the bench. When at home, the crowd will sometimes propel the bench players because they're familiar with them and it helps bench players come in and play relaxed because it's not a hostile environment. Sort of like if you have a family gathering, your family as a whole is going to be more comfortable and relaxed if people come to your house verses you going to their house. Stars want to take over and lead on the road.

[rollie mass]

i hope that danny sent a video of markieff throw on horford out or worse the video i just saw of him throwing an elbow at isaiahs head-it was a quick vicious attempt,remember jr and crowder
isaiah not only had his sisters death, all that flying and had his tooth knocked out
-and to watch a 6-9 cheap shot try and connect to his head-this happened right before isaiah started getting chippy and got the T

[guava_wrench]

Benches usually play better at home so I expect them to play better and win tonight. If they can't beat the C's tonight or Sunday this series is over.

are you saying that benches play better at home as compared to how starters play? not sure of your point. could you please point us towards an article or something that demonstrates this?

Thanks.

Benches at home play better than benches on the road.

It will be tough tonight. We are pretty evenly matched. But, as evenly matched teams, we have a good shot.