BOSTON CELTICS vs. Washington Wizards (Eastern semi-finals)

[captain insano]

There was no move at the deadline that the Celtics could have made that would get them any further than where they are now. Ainge was right to stand pat.

the best thing ainge could have done was what he did. nothing. now he's got a high pick this year the 2018 nets pick and the cap space and the players to make a significant move in the offseason.

 

[supafly]

The theory is that the Celtics match up better against the Warriors than the Cavs due to their ability to defend the 3 ball on which the Warriors are so reliant on. The problem is you add Durrant into the mix and it blows that whole idea up.

I simply think the two remaining teams from the West are much better than the two remaining teams from the East, and I'm a Cavs fan.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I simply think the two remaining teams from the West are much better than the two remaining teams from the East, and I'm a Cavs fan.

GS
CLE
SA
BOS

 

[MitchKumstein]

I have to tune in to Felger tomorrow just to witness all the green teamers give Felger a big wad up his ass again and again and again.

And that's how Felger gets his ratings

 

[RobertWeathers]

the best thing ainge could have done was what he did. nothing. now he's got a high pick and the cap space and the players to make a significant move in the offseason.

The only way the Celts had a shot at beating CLE or any team in the WC is nabbing Butler AND Cousins last winter.

The problem with that scenario is even with equal talent as those teams, you now have chemistry questions, zero high draft picks and a bloated cap.

 

[Kontradiction]

Congrats on the ECF appearance. I think the Celts have a decent shot of winning Game 1 and not much of a shot to win anymore outside of that. Anything less than a sweep will be a win for the team.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Congrats on the ECF appearance. I think the Celts have a decent shot of winning Game 1 and not much of a shot to win anymore outside of that. Anything less than a sweep will be a win for the team.

This is sheer gravy at this point.

I'd be estatic if it went 6 but expect a broom. CLE has been on autopilot all year.

 

[captain stone]

There was no move at the deadline that the Celtics could have made that would get them any further than where they are now. Ainge was right to stand pat.

Maybe, but I think even a smaller trade, such as the one OKC made with Chicago for Taj Gibson & Doug McDermott, would've been doable without sacrificing any of NJ's picks. I'd rather have Gibson & McDermott than Jonas Jerebko & James Young.

 

[mosslost]

Congrats on the ECF appearance. I think the Celts have a decent shot of winning Game 1 and not much of a shot to win anymore outside of that. Anything less than a sweep will be a win for the team.

in a 7 game series, a truly greater team never loses the series without major injury or without something really bizarre happening.

The only example I can think of a truly superior team in the NBA losing a 7 game series without any injury was the 1983 Celtics being SWEPT in 4 by the Bucks. That Celtics team had given up on Bill Fitch, and that loss made no sense. The fact that they were swept makes it even more obvious something was very wrong. (Like 1978 patriots type wrong)

 

[Froob]

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

I'm going to keep a happy thought and say that, with home court advantage, if the Celtics can get the Cavs to game 7 anything can happen. Admittedly, this is a big IF.

 

[VrabelJr]

The theory is that the Celtics match up better against the Warriors than the Cavs due to their ability to defend the 3 ball on which the Warriors are so reliant on. The problem is you add Durrant into the mix and it blows that whole idea up.

We defend the 3 better AND the Warriors dont have as much size as Cleveland.

Durant also has a penchant for choking in the playoffs. LeBron does not. About the only thing Durant does better than LeBron is score in creative ways, which also means he takes shots he shouldn't.

 

[qbno12]

I'm going to keep a happy thought and say that, with home court advantage, if the Celtics can get the Cavs to game 7 anything can happen. Admittedly, this is a big IF.

If they do get to get 7 (hypothetically) and beat Cavs, they will beat Warriors too.

Unfortunately, this team is too young and inexperienced. One home game win is all I want. 2 would be a huge bonus.

 

[SalemPats]

You stop Kyrie and you beat the Cavs. Bradley will have to play the series of his life

 

[SalemPats]

We defend the 3 better AND the Warriors dont have as much size as Cleveland.

Durant also has a penchant for choking in the playoffs. LeBron does not. About the only thing Durant does better than LeBron is score in creative ways, which also means he takes shots he shouldn't.

Durant is ridiculous, this GSW team will win multiple championships. In 10 years we might be calling them the greatest team of all time.

 

[BobDigital]

The goal is to win a game.

IDK if id say that.

I would say being swept is a failure. They should win one game at least and the goal is to win 2. If they should be able to win 1 of 4 games against this team (and i think they should) I don't see how they can be the goal.

Unless you think they should get swept by the Cavs.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

If they do get to get 7 (hypothetically) and beat Cavs, they will beat Warriors too.

Unfortunately, this team is too young and inexperienced. One home game win is all I want. 2 would be a huge bonus.

I think the Celtics match up extraordinarily well against the Warriors (except maybe for Durant, who would pretty much be the deciding factor in that series).

Cavs are a real tough match up. If we stay healthy, if Smart and Olynyk can play like they did last night more consistently, if Jaylen Brown keeps improving, if the refs don't let Lebron's constant crying affect their calls, we have a puncher's chance with home court advantage.

 

[bormio]

IDK if id say that.

I would say being swept is a failure. They should win one game at least and the goal is to win 2. If they should be able to win 1 of 4 games against this team (and i think they should) I don't see how they can be the goal.

Unless you think they should get swept by the Cavs.

The goal is to win the series. Otherwise go home now.

Actually I think getting smashed the last time against them is a good thing.

 

[BobDigital]

Also why the Cavs are the sexy news in the long run it won't matter what happens in this series. The Celtics aren't winning this year. If by some miracle the Cavs have a massive choke they won't be the team they play against in the championship. Asking for 2 massive chokes back to back is way too much.

The big news is the lotto. That will decide more of the teams future than how well the Celtics play in this series. They need to hit in it sometime right? RIGHT?!

 

[BobDigital]

The goal is to win the series. Otherwise go home now.

Yes. But we all know that isn't happening unless the Cavs catch the injury bug hard.

We all want the Celtics to win of course but this is like Houston playing the Patriots. Yes their fans wanted to win and hoped it could happen but they understood the reality of the situation. I of course hope the Celtics win but i am a realist.

Just like the Patriots losing to Houston in the divisional round would have been unacceptable and a choke the Cavs losing to the Celtics is an unacceptable choke. They have no excuse or reason to lose this series and everyone knows it including the Celtic players to be totally honest.

Doesn't mean they won't try their best to win. But everyone knows they are just out matched.