Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

I dunno. I think they can do it. The finished 13th in ORB per game and #1 in transition defense (points per transition, op FG % and op eFG% against)

Teams Transition | Stats | NBA.com

A table featuring transition information for each team in the league based on selected filters.

www.nba.com

I've always liked Queta. He gives them shot blocking, rebounding and a big-ass, athletic body in the frontcourt. However Kornet is just a better all-around player and is better with the ball in his hands than Queta. Just more polished...

If there is a time for Queta to play, this is it. The Pacers run deep with big men. It showed tonight. The fact Queta saw no action tells me he likely isn't going to unfortunately.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

9 minutes for Hauser…? Are they thinking Pacers are too quick on the perimeter? They had a lot of open 3s.

Indy definitely holds the edge on the bench as long as Horford is forced to start. No one off the bench impressed tonight for Boston, while Indy went 10 deep with significant contributions. This is going to be something to watch. I really hope this series doesn't go long.

 

[ausbacker]

Anyone who thought the Celtics would walk through this series likely have more respect for what the Pacers bring. It took everything to win this game, including one of Jaylen Brown's best all around games of the year (including the ridiculous 3 to send it to OT) and Jrue's best game as a Celtic.

Tatum faded in the 4th a bit but I loved the way he played tonight. Consistently driving and finishing plays instead of settling for 3s that weren't falling, and the rest of the team followed suit. 30 free throws to Indy's 10 was one of the huge differences tonight.

This has all the makings of an excellent series.

When Boston clamped down on Indiana late, properly clamped down, they forced them into bad shots, broken plays, and turnovers. Oh, and their circus shots dried up.

 

[Kdo5]

If there is a time for Queta to play, this is it. The Pacers run deep with big men. It showed tonight. The fact Queta saw no action tells me he likely isn't going to unfortunately.

If Tillman is available and Kornet continues to struggle, I think they need to give him some minutes in Game 2. It’s been pretty clear Queta will not be getting meaningful minutes this postseason if they can help it. But Tillman is an option.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Anyone who thought the Celtics would walk through this series likely have more respect for what the Pacers bring. It took everything to win this game, including one of Jaylen Brown's best all around games of the year (including the ridiculous 3 to send it to OT) and Jrue's best game as a Celtic.

Tatum faded in the 4th a bit but I loved the way he played tonight. Consistently driving and finishing plays instead of settling for 3s that weren't falling, and the rest of the team followed suit. 30 free throws to Indy's 10 was one of the huge differences tonight.

This has all the makings of an excellent series.

It’s exactly what I expected tbh

The Pacers can really cook on offense. It almost doesn’t matter the opponent when they’re in rhythm and hitting their shots. But they’ll also show up and lay an egg half the time.

The Celtics just needed to win a game where the Pacers take them to the limit, a 50/50 game, where they’ve struggled so much in the past. The Celtics went even beyond that and stole one from the Pacers tonight.

I feel supremely confident now the Celtics will win this series. I actually think they might even sweep them after tonight. That type of win is very powerful for a mental edge.

 

[Kdo5]

It’s exactly what I expected tbh

The Pacers can really cook on offense. It almost doesn’t matter the opponent when they’re in rhythm and hitting their shots. But they’ll also show up and lay an egg half the time.

The Celtics just needed to win a game where the Pacers take them to the limit, a 50/50 game, where they’ve struggled so much in the past. The Celtics went even beyond that and stole one from the Pacers tonight.

I feel supremely confident now the Celtics will win this series. I actually think they might even sweep them after tonight. That type of win is very powerful for a mental edge.

Same. I really think the Pacers found the Celtics at their least intense (as they’ll be this series) defensively with subpar three point shooting while they were having big contributions across the board. Yet they still lost.

Pacers dropped a game they should’ve won against a superior opponent. That’s huge. Win Game 2 and it’s as good as over for them.

 

[Kdo5]

9 minutes for Hauser…? Are they thinking Pacers are too quick on the perimeter? They had a lot of open 3s.

I wasn’t under the impression that anything about Indiana’s defense should be a problem for anyone on our team including Hauser. Their D sucks. Sam is just struggling both defensively and he doesn’t seem to be putting up many shots let alone hitting them.

Joe might want to experiment with some Brissett minutes to provide the defense. Problem is he can’t shoot but it’s also the Pacers D, scoring shouldn’t be our problem.

 

[aluminum seats]

When Boston clamped down on Indiana late, properly clamped down, they forced them into bad shots, broken plays, and turnovers. Oh, and their circus shots dried up.

This is it. Pacers with just 2 field goals in overtime

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

White wasn’t great offensively but his defense down the stretch and OT was next level.

 

[aluminum seats]

Sam is just struggling both defensively and he doesn’t seem to be putting up many shots let alone hitting them.

Both Hauser and Pritchard seemed lost. Hauser shot an airball on a three shooting on the move which isn't his game. Hopefully they'll settle down in game 2

 

[jimnance]

I fell asleep with about 3 minutes left in regulation. When I woke up game was over.
No, I'm not doing that again. I know some of y'all superstitious cats think it's my duty as a C's fan to repeat it since they won.
F y'all, don't wanna miss any more wild finishes.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

It’s exactly what I expected tbh

The Pacers can really cook on offense. It almost doesn’t matter the opponent when they’re in rhythm and hitting their shots. But they’ll also show up and lay an egg half the time.

The Celtics just needed to win a game where the Pacers take them to the limit, a 50/50 game, where they’ve struggled so much in the past. The Celtics went even beyond that and stole one from the Pacers tonight.

I feel supremely confident now the Celtics will win this series. I actually think they might even sweep them after tonight. That type of win is very powerful for a mental edge.

Obviously a sweep would be awesome, and badly needed while Dallas and Minny drag out a 7 game triple OT every night war.

That said, I don't see it. This team went down 0-2 and 2-3 vs NY and didn't roll over. Carlisle is a good coach and will make adjustments. I agree the Celtics should win, but I don't think it will be as easy as you believe.

If Brown doesn't hit the shot that sends it to OT we're all having a very different conversation today.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Both Hauser and Pritchard seemed lost. Hauser shot an airball on a three shooting on the move which isn't his game. Hopefully they'll settle down in game 2

Yea they never found their flow in this game. They'll be OK.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

It seems now that he’s been playing 75% intensity during the season. He’s a different player, more speed and power.

Jrue is the perfect team guy. He does what is needed. He knows the J's run this team so he takes a back seat. But man I loved what I saw last night.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Jrue is the perfect team guy. He does what is needed. He knows the J's run this team so he takes a back seat. But man I loved what I saw last night.

Best game as a Celtic last night.

He was "DJ-esque"

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

Best game as a Celtic last night.

He was "DJ-esque"

The highest of praises.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The highest of praises.

Yep. Can't get any higher.

Out of curiosity I checked out playoff #s.....crazy similar.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think if he can be back they really need to get KP on the court by game 4 at the latest both to knock off rust and take some burden off Al so he has fresher legs for the Finals, if we make it there.

What a game last night. Tatum made up for those misses in crunchtime with a nice performance in OT. This Pacers team we are going to have to outscore to win. They just have to much offense. We can stop them in spurts, But this series is likely going to come down to who's got the ball last. Good to see the Cs finally challenged though. It's good for them.

 

[Kdo5]

What a game last night. Tatum made up for those misses in crunchtime with a nice performance in OT. This Pacers team we are going to have to outscore to win. They just have to much offense. We can stop them in spurts, But this series is likely going to come down to who's got the ball last. Good to see the Cs finally challenged though. It's good for them.

I agree although Joe still has to do some tinkering with the lineup because we shouldn’t just resign ourselves to a shootout every game. He has options…

1. Play X/Queta and Brissett. Inject the defensive energy for tough contests, hustle and second chance points.

2. If we do ride it out with our current bench rotation make sure that Tatum is playing with them as much as possible. He is more of a stabilizing force than any other player on the court. While our other guys are great players they don’t make the bench much better.

3. Go small ball at times with Tatum at the 5. They put him on Myles Turner quite a bit in the second half and he went fairly quiet. They were constantly targeting Horford and Kornet.

Hope Joe pushes some buttons to improve our defense.

 

[Real fan 02]

I agree although Joe still has to do some tinkering with the lineup because we shouldn’t just resign ourselves to a shootout every game. He has options…

1. Play X/Queta and Brissett. Inject the defensive energy for tough contests, hustle and second chance points.

2. If we do ride it out with our current bench rotation make sure that Tatum is playing with them as much as possible. He is more of a stabilizing force than any other player on the court. While our other guys are great players they don’t make the bench much better.

3. Go small ball at times with Tatum at the 5. They put him on Myles Turner quite a bit in the second half and he went fairly quiet. They were constantly targeting Horford and Kornet.

Hope Joe pushes some buttons to improve our defense.

Agreed! will have to adjust. I've been saying Queta should see time. He's an excellent offensive rebounder. We will need them Vs this Pacers team. Hauser needs to show something, Brissett absolutely is excellent with energy and a defensive stopper. This could be the series for him.. the defense just wasn't good enough. The Pacers love to run n gun.. ball pressure is what they need to do.