Sixers Series

[Tunescribe]

I think he is, and I like him in there for good decisions and defense at the end of games.
Our star player tossing Marcus the ball with 1 second left in regulation and in OT is not his fault.
The coach should’ve called TO.

Do you honestly believe Marcus Smart makes good decisions at the ends of games? He is infamous for just the opposite. Clutch offense never has been this player's forte.

 

[jimnance]

In the playoffs,it's all about adjustments.
Mazzula made excellent adjustments after the game 1 fiasco. He put Brown on Harden, cut off the passing lanes as he came off screens and made him shoot midrange,which is not Hardens game. They shut him down in back to back games. The D on Embiid was excellent.
How about giving Mazzula some credit for games 2 and 3.
I'm not so sure a TO at the end would've been the right call. I agree with @ RW why let the D get set? That wasn't on Mazzula.
Just wasn't executed properly by Tatum and Smart.
So now Joe will make more adjustments.
No need to panic. Celtics are the better team. But Sixers are one of the best teams in the NBA. Their record was almost as good as the C's. So yeah,it's possible they could win the series.
But I don't think so. It may go 7 games.

 

[jimnance]

Do you honestly believe Marcus Smart makes good decisions at the ends of games? He is infamous for just the opposite. Clutch offense never has been this player's forte.

Smart cut down his turnovers and became a better decision-maker this year than last year.
With one exception: end of game situations. (as you pointed out)
I dont want him anywhere near the ball in a close game under 2 minutes. White Brown and Brogdon are all better ball handlers and are more trustworthy in those situations.

 

[aluminum seats]

If they already have a play called and like the matchups, then there is no need to give the defense time to think through the permutations. Go with the flow.

I'm not so sure a TO at the end would've been the right call. I agree with @ RW why let the D get set?

I take the point that there are times when you should just let the game continue when you feel confident of what the players are going to execute. But there have been several occasions lately, including both times today, where I had no sense that was the case.

You can't tell me that the plan in both instances, at the end of regulation and OT, was for Smart to take the shot. I don't think Smart should have even been on the floor there.

 

[Tunescribe]

In the playoffs,it's all about adjustments.
Mazzula made excellent adjustments after the game 1 fiasco. He put Brown on Harden, cut off the passing lanes as he came off screens and made him shoot midrange,which is not Hardens game. They shut him down in back to back games. The D on Embiid was excellent.
How about giving Mazzula some credit for games 2 and 3.
I'm not so sure a TO at the end would've been the right call. I agree with @ RW why let the D get set? That wasn't on Mazzula.
Just wasn't executed properly by Tatum and Smart.
So now Joe will make more adjustments.
No need to panic. Celtics are the better team. But Sixers are one of the best teams in the NBA. Their record was almost as good as the C's. So yeah,it's possible they could win the series.
But I don't think so. It may go 7 games.

The problem is even if they win this series in six or seven, playing so many games early in the playoffs might take a toll both physically and mentally. Atlanta should never have gone six games and Phlly is down to best of three. I'm expecting it to go seven games now with Embiid a factor. These Celtics are big wasters of time and energy and I think it boils down to a lack of killer instinct. Mazzulla's inexperience plays into that, he's just not in a position to crack the whip when needed. I hope I'm reading this wrong, we'll see.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I take the point that there are times when you should just let the game continue when you feel confident of what the players are going to execute. But there have been several occasions lately, including both times today, where I had no sense that was the case.

You can't tell me that the plan in both instances, at the end of regulation and OT, was for Smart to take the shot. I don't think Smart should have even been on the floor there.

The point about Smart not even being out there is valid.

 

[1960Pats]

The point about Smart not even being out there is valid.

He made the shot. It was just a fraction of a second too late.
If I had to guess I'd say that Smart was out there for defense and Mazzula forgot that you can make substitutions. Either that or Mazzula told Smart to sit and Smart said no.

 

[RobertWeathers]

He made the shot. It was just a fraction of a second too late.
If I had to guess I'd say that Smart was out there for defense and Mazzula forgot that you can make substitutions. Either that or Mazzula told Smart to sit and Smart said no.

Yes he made the shot but he is not one of the best 5 offensive players/shooters on the team.

 

[Tunescribe]

He made the shot. It was just a fraction of a second too late.
If I had to guess I'd say that Smart was out there for defense and Mazzula forgot that you can make substitutions. Either that or Mazzula told Smart to sit and Smart said no.

Making the shot late is the same as missing it by 10 feet. Tatum should've just continued to the hoop and hopefully gotten fouled.

If Mazzulla told Smart to sit and he refused, the inmates are running the asylum.

 

[jimnance]

The problem is even if they win this series in six or seven, playing so many games early in the playoffs might take a toll both physically and mentally. Atlanta should never have gone six games and Phlly is down to best of three. I'm expecting it to go seven games now with Embiid a factor. These Celtics are big wasters of time and energy and I think it boils down to a lack of killer instinct. Mazzulla's inexperience plays into that, he's just not in a position to crack the whip when needed. I hope I'm reading this wrong, we'll see.

Agree. But playing a lot of tough playoff games also makes you battle-tested. As long as you avoid injuries to key players.
And as long as you learn from your adversity.
That last play was mostly Tatums fault- he started with about 5 seconds left. Way too late. I like Tatum one on one but not in that situation. White and Brogdon are the 2 best players to start a play in that scenario. Then get it to either Tatum or Brown closer to the hoop for a greater chance of being fouled if they miss the shot. You want to be calm in that situation,which Tatum was, but you also need to have a sense of urgency,which he didn't.

 

[jimnance]

Either that or Mazzula told Smart to sit and Smart said no.

There is no way in hell that happened. That's ridiculous

 

[Hyped]

Comments:

1.) Smart is the heart of this team. He wasn't supposed to take either final shots...it is how it worked out AND also why the ball was late...he is the 5th option out there. Credit to Philly's D.

2.) Tatum's shooting is "off"...it has been for a while now, but IMO he is playing better than ever. He didn't whine to the refs at all yesterday, was aggressive on both ends of the floor, and he had 18 boards.

3.) I found it interesting that Mazzulla rolled with Brogdon late into the game before bringing D. White back on. Maybe a time out there and subbing in one of those guards for Smart would have made a difference...

4.) Harden was 16/23....that is almost 70%. Tatum was 9/20...under 50% and only 1/6 from downtown. The Celtics actually shot better than the Sixers, but BARELY....and they were also 16-22 from the charity stripe whereas the Sixers were 19-22.

5.) I expect more adjustments in game 5...we are just gonna have to take the three away from Harden period. Just force him to put his head down and drive the ball to kick out or attempt floaters/mid-ranges....I am OK with that. It would take away the Sixers' pick n' roll action and not allow the Sixers to force switches for favorable match ups. Easier said than done though...but we need to be aggressive on Harden all 48 minutes with no let up....we can't just sit back and hope for one of his "bad performances".

 

[Boston Boxer]

Smart took way too long to bring the ball up court and get into their set. From there, everything was rushed. No time out needed and they need to get the ball up court instead of letting it roll slow to preserve time or whatever the hell they are doing. Poor loss

 

[aluminum seats]

Smart took way too long to bring the ball up court and get into their set. From there, everything was rushed. No time out needed and they need to get the ball up court instead of letting it roll slow to preserve time or whatever the hell they are doing. Poor loss

They need to push the tempo for the whole game, the rolling the ball and walking up slowly works in Philly's favor and it is driving me bonkers

 

[Zuma]

LFG!!!

 

[aluminum seats]

Well that's not how you want to start.

But it's all about how you finish, right? (Right??)

 

[aluminum seats]

Pretty damn close to game 4 at halftime. If the Celtics play with the intensity in the second half they did in game four, considering they're at home they should win.

 

[IcyPatriot]

No finger pointing here ... I see 5 inviduals out there ... haphazard playing.
Celtics are getting beat by a Sixer's team that are playing as 1 ... hopefully was change soon.

 

[Tunescribe]

No finger pointing here ... I see 5 inviduals out there ... haphazard playing.
Celtics are getting beat by a Sixer's team that are playing as 1.

Really embarrassing.

 

[IcyPatriot]

When they say House I have fond memories of
'House Call'