Last year we were 10-1 at home, but just 1-7 on the road during the playoffs.

The young guys understandably seemed to get rattled on the road especially when the other team gained momentum in close games late. Rozier was phenomenal during last year's postseason run, but while he was great at home, he was mediocre in all but one road playoff game.

That’s where I feel having the veteran experience and skills of Hayward and Irving really helped us last night and should help us in the future. When we blew the 15 point lead in the first half, we could have easily folded the rest of the way, but we didn’t.

Hayward wasn’t that great last night, but I still thought he made some great plays facilitating, and he made a huge tip-in late in the game to extend the lead and essentially ice the game. And of course, Irving was Irving for much of the 4th (as usual).

It's encouraging to see the Jays also contributing well and to do it on the road last night was big. A big confidence-booster if you ask me (especially for Jaylen).

Hopefully GH & KI can stay healthy and continue to make an impact going forward. Without home court advantage for the next few rounds, we're obviously going to have to play some of our best basketball on the road as well if we want to make a run to the Finals.

But first things first, close out THIS series preferably by tomorrow afternoon 

I would not read too much into one game, but I will say that last night's game was a typical road loss for this team during the regular season:  come out strong, crap 2nd quarter, other team goes on a run, fans get into it, and there is no counter punch.

The difference has been the defense, being able to hold the Pacers back while the offense grinds for an answer.  I will assign a lot of this to the Pacers simply not being as good without Oladipo, but it is still encouraging to see the effort.

Quote from: mctyson on April 20, 2019, 02:16:28 PM

I would not read too much into one game, but I will say that last night's game was a typical road loss for this team during the regular season:  come out strong, crap 2nd quarter, other team goes on a run, fans get into it, and there is no counter punch.

The difference has been the defense, being able to hold the Pacers back while the offense grinds for an answer.  I will assign a lot of this to the Pacers simply not being as good without Oladipo, but it is still encouraging to see the effort.

Oh the Celtics will be in for a rude-awakening when they will have to deal with Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe, an occasional Ersan Ilyasova, and the return of Malcolm Brogdon. It's gonna be a blood bath.

And we ain't even talking about the Raptors yet, or if ever, this season should the Celtics make it far.

I think a season ending injury to Pacers best player has played a part in C's winning on the road this year.

Quote from: Chris22 on April 21, 2019, 10:05:17 AM

Taking Morris out of the starting lineup has really helped.

I see Morris bailing them out time and time again...I do NOT see what you guys see.

Atleast I can see eye to eye with Brad on that.

This describes it all actually. Once you guys make up your mind about something, you no longer see anything else except your mantra