Series Thread: 1) Celtics vs. 6) Pacers

[NWPATSFAN]

Same would apply. Matter of fact they never combined for 50% of the points in any of the games vs you okc. They have quality role players and showed they can beat you both ways

The same does not apply. There is a HUGE difference between scoring 50 points and combing for +/- 50% of the points.

Again notice the +/-. I didn't say absolute anywhere.

Against OKC when Washington had his way he went off. That's a small sample size the guy is a lifetime 13 ppg player.

Twist it all you want.

 

[UK Cowboy]

I realize he is playing great right now but Boston has several guys who they can throw at him.

White, Holiday and Brown are all more than capable of defending him. Heck, they can even throw Tatum

Please Throw Tatum at Kyrie...please.
Boston has some great defenders. None of them can handle Kyrie or Luka one on one if they are on. I think that's where Boston gets their ass kicked. Saying they have great defenders and won't help on those two. Good luck

 

[UK Cowboy]

Dallas has only been allowing 103.8ppg to their opponents in the playoffs. They don't play defense?

Who knew?

Vs the Clippers, Thunder and Wolves at that....

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Dallas has only been allowing 103.8ppg to their opponents in the playoffs. They don't play defense?

Who knew?

Who said they don't play D? They were the 6th best team thru the season.

 

[DJ]

Vs the Clippers, Thunder and Wolves at that....

Yep...

 

[The Q]

Dallas has only been allowing 103.8ppg to their opponents in the playoffs. They don't play defense?

Who knew?

The entire world didn’t listen to me about gafford

It is wild that the dumpster fire wizards were the team that saw value in him

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Vs the Clippers, Thunder and Wolves at that....

Ppg the Thunder #3, Clips #12 and the Twolves #18.

Guess who were #1 and #2?

 

[fightinfunbags]

Please Throw Tatum at Kyrie...please.
Boston has some great defenders. None of them can handle Kyrie or Luka one on one if they are on. I think that's where Boston gets their ass kicked. Saying they have great defenders and won't help on those two. Good luck

1. Boston plays exceptional team defense. It’s really not about defending guys one on one for them.
2. Tatum and Brown are likely going to be the assignment on Luka and not Kyrie because of their length.
3. I don’t think there’s any level of “getting their ass kicked” for this Boston team.
4. Boston actually has 6 great defenders if Porzingas plays. These guys are even better in the context of team defense.

The pathway to a Dallas series win actually comes from Dallas under rated defense. The only chance a team has of beating Boston in a series is to be successful at consistently running them off the three point line. You’d rather concede paint points on dribble drive vs Celtics than to let the penetration lead to a kick out open three.

I think Dallas has a chance for sure in this potential series but it will be more about their defense of Boston.

 

[fightinfunbags]

The entire world didn’t listen to me about gafford

It is wild that the dumpster fire wizards were the team that saw value in him

Raises hand.

I looked at that move at the deadline and commented here that it was a non-impactful acquisition. Meanwhile, Gafford and Lively pair seem to be the stuff that have taken Dallas next level.

 

[DJ]

The entire world didn’t listen to me about gafford

It is wild that the dumpster fire wizards were the team that saw value in him

The entire world? If I remember correctly several people on here liked that addition.

 

[tlance]

Holliday is going to need to get a good whistle to guard Kyrie. He’s going to need to be allowed to hand check. Kyrie is too fast for him. I think I would play White on Kyrie.

I like Holiday’s strength, but White is a good option too.

Think putting White on Jones Jr. frees him up to help more. And White is a pretty awesome help defender.

 

[tlance]

The entire world didn’t listen to me about gafford

It is wild that the dumpster fire wizards were the team that saw value in him

Well…

They did trade him in the end. And failed to invest in him by giving him a big role.

 

[bksballer89]

I like Holiday’s strength, but White is a good option too.

Think putting White on Jones Jr. frees him up to help more. And White is a pretty awesome help defender.

Kyrie will cook him

 

[fightinfunbags]

I like Holiday’s strength, but White is a good option too.

Think putting White on Jones Jr. frees him up to help more. And White is a pretty awesome help defender.

I’m a big proponent of changing the look up on special players and making them play vs 2-3 diverse on ball defenders. But like I said earlier…for the Celtics it’s more about the team defense and the rotations in the end. They seem to be one of the best in the league in that regard.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Kyrie will cook him

Which guy? White or Holliday?

 

[tlance]

Kyrie will cook him

Who won’t he cook 1 on 1?

Cmon man.

I am trying to free up the best help defenders to help. It isn’t always about the 1 on 1 matchup. It is about the other matchups too.

 

[BigKen]

Boston has some great defenders. None of them can handle Kyrie or Luka one on one if they are on.

Jan. 22, 2024 Celtics 119 Mavs 110
Luka 37
Kyrie 23

55% of offense

March 1, 2024 Celtics 138 Mavs 110
Luka 33
Kyrie 19

49% of offense

Celtics have held the Mavs to 110 points both times they've played this year. Defense improved against both Luka and Kyrie.

Horford will force Luka to work his ass off to score every point. White and Holiday will continually switch off on Kyrie and exhaust him. The plan is simple. Allow Luka and Kyrie to score 60 and force the remainder of the Mav score 60 more (average 120) and hope that the C's don't score their average (129).

 

[The Q]

Well…

They did trade him in the end. And failed to invest in him by giving him a big role.

I mean, they are still a bad franchise

But they still got him for table scraps and turned him into a first

 

[tlance]

I’m a big proponent of changing the look up on special players and making them play vs 2-3 diverse on ball defenders. But like I said earlier…for the Celtics it’s more about the team defense and the rotations in the end. They seem to be one of the best in the league in that regard.

Agreed. I think both Luka and Kyrie will see all of those 4 perimeter defenders at 1 time or another.

Different coverages too.

That is if Mazzula is on his game.

 

[bksballer89]

Which guy? White or Holliday?

White. I think him and Luka are cooking anyone Boston put on them. Jrue is still a really good defender but I don’t think him or white can stop Kyrie or Luka.