Rockets (25-7) at Celtics (28-10) Game #39 12/28/17

[mr. dee]

Godly defense.

James Harden when defended by Marcus Smart tonight:

0-7 FG
4 turnovers

(includes both Harden turnovers in the final 7 seconds)

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/946587229341745152

nobody doubts his D.

Mainstream media does. He got robbed for an All-Defensive spots few times already.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

But seriously...that was that craziest game I have seen in a long time.

I'll eat my crow and shut up.

already ate mine aka reverse jinx LOL but it changes nothing in the big picture of issues we have over and over getting waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down or blowing big leads and such a weak putrid bench

[Neurotic Guy]

I am totally fine with people focusing on the 1 and a half minutes of absolute virtuoso performance by Smart.

I prefer to focus on the 46 minutes of him being beaten around like David Caradine #checkouthowhedied

Thankfully, he only played 34.  And David Caradine always came through.  Good nickname for Marcus though -- Grasshopper. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Godly defense.

James Harden when defended by Marcus Smart tonight:

0-7 FG
4 turnovers

(includes both Harden turnovers in the final 7 seconds)

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/946587229341745152

nobody doubts his D.

Mainstream media does. He got robbed for an All-Defensive spots few times already.

yeah well nobody cares about them

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Of course, Twitter is on a roll.

[mr. dee]

Godly defense.

James Harden when defended by Marcus Smart tonight:

0-7 FG
4 turnovers

(includes both Harden turnovers in the final 7 seconds)

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/946587229341745152

nobody doubts his D.

Mainstream media does. He got robbed for an All-Defensive spots few times already.

yeah well nobody cares about them

They're the ones voting for the selection, so somehow it hurts on Marcus' resume.

[Eja117]

I am totally fine with people focusing on the 1 and a half minutes of absolute virtuoso performance by Smart.

I prefer to focus on the 46 minutes of him being beaten around like David Caradine #checkouthowhedied

Except that's not even close to true. He played well the entire second half. His defense on Harden in the second half is one of the primary reasons we won and got Harden frustrated, even to the point of him taking desperation threes a couple of steps in front of the halfcourt line.

He literally had 13 pts on 6-14 shooting with 6 rebs, 5 asts, 2 stls, 3 blcks and made the two winning plays to win us the game, yet you're still going to complain about him??

Are you telling me he wasn't a huge huge part of why we were down so bad and why Stevens had to resort to playing Nader, and at one point even Jabari Bird?  I mean come on. The guy totally checked out and showed up for a half at absolute best. What happens at your job if you show up for half a day? Do people pat you on the back because you do your job the rest of the day? Whatever. He's a slacker who has good timing, and honestly I'm very glad he does, because he doesn't bring much else.

[jpotter33]

Godly defense.

James Harden when defended by Marcus Smart tonight:

0-7 FG
4 turnovers

(includes both Harden turnovers in the final 7 seconds)

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/946587229341745152

TP. I was looking for this and couldn't find it, but this verifies what we were all saying about Smart's D on Harden tonight. Incredible.

People say that perimeter defense is overrated, but nights like this show why that's simply untrue. Sure, you're not going to always get blocks, steals, etc. with perimeter defense, but having a guy like Smart who can make things difficult for the Hardens of the world is absolutely still immensely valuable.

[green_bballers13]

Horford has been horrible on both ends in this game. Can't Brad do something and do some adjustments on the rotation? Clearly, Horford is not a solution in this game.

Kinda funny, no?

[ozgod]

Their execution is flawed at times and their inconsistencies can be infuriating at times but nobody can doubt this teams courage and heart. They never gave up. So pleased for Nader too, he actually had a sIgnificant contribution in an epic win this time. Every dog needs to have his day.

[kraidstar]

Forgotten man of he night: Abdel Nader, who provided some much needed energy when the team looked like it was ready to quit.

[RJ87]

Horford has been horrible on both ends in this game. Can't Brad do something and do some adjustments on the rotation? Clearly, Horford is not a solution in this game.

Kinda funny, no?

Let's not pretend he wasn't doo-doo for the first 45 and a half minutes of this game.

[green_bballers13]

Horford has been horrible on both ends in this game. Can't Brad do something and do some adjustments on the rotation? Clearly, Horford is not a solution in this game.

Kinda funny, no?

Let's not pretend he wasn't doo-doo for the first 45 and a half minutes of this game.

Typical Celticsblog- overreact, then try to justify negative nancy posts after the fact.

[wayupnorth]

Horford has been horrible on both ends in this game. Can't Brad do something and do some adjustments on the rotation? Clearly, Horford is not a solution in this game.

Kinda funny, no?

Let's not pretend he wasn't doo-doo for the first 45 and a half minutes of this game.

LOL So was not "doo doo" for the first 45 minutes of the game.

For real, what are you watching?

[mr. dee]

Horford has been horrible on both ends in this game. Can't Brad do something and do some adjustments on the rotation? Clearly, Horford is not a solution in this game.

Kinda funny, no?

Celtics started a run after Baynes went in. We're lucky we already have the lead when Horford shot those final seconds FTs.