Series Thread: 1) Miami Heat vs. 2) Boston Celtics

[Wamu]

Impressive win by the Celtics last night. Wasn't expecting that kind of domination. What a difference Smart & Horford made.

 

[PPhan]

Butler was still scoring pretty comfortably last night tbh. Just that they couldn’t stop Boston’s offense on the other hand.

 

[Gman]

I've been assured that no one can guard Butler, especially a fake DPOY like Smart. Do I have that right, @AD2022MVP ?

Butler was still scoring pretty comfortably last night tbh. Just that they couldn’t stop Boston’s offense on the other hand.

Butler is gonna get his points this series. The C's are playing him like Giannis... who also got his fair share of points in the Milwaukee series vs Boston.

 

[tlance]

I've been assured that no one can guard Butler, especially a fake DPOY like Smart. Do I have that right, @AD2022MVP ?

Waiting for him to come in and say he was right after another game of 29.

Boston is trying to make Butler a scorer and limit his facilitating. And right now it is working.

 

[bksballer89]

Waiting for him to come in and say he was right after another game of 29.

Boston is trying to make Butler a scorer and limit his facilitating. And right now it is working.

Make or miss league. They are not really limiting his facilitating. The others are just missing shots. His teammates went 3-12 on his passes. They make 2 or 3 of those missed shots and he ends up at his playoffs avg which is 5 plus assist per game

 

[fightinfunbags]

Oh my gosh. The halftime show being called a “plantation situation” just because a white guy is leading a bunch of black guys in a discussion about te game? WTF? Put me on that plantation

What a breath of fresh air! I was just saying to myself I need the board’s racist to come and mire a series thread. And then you deliver. Hope you got your robe and good back from the dry cleaners so you’re all set for the cross burnings this weekend you silly fuck.

 

[flyingelvis]

It's hard to read this series after two games.

The first game the C's were at a considerable disadvantage without Horford and especially Smart. AND coming off just two days rest and a tough Bucks series. Game 2? I love the C's in this series but no way they are that much better than the Heat.

I'd bet my left nut the series settles into a close, tough series that goes a minimum 6 games.

 

[bksballer89]

Make or miss league. They are not really limiting his facilitating. The others are just missing shots. His teammates went 3-12 on his passes. They make 2 or 3 of those missed shots and he ends up at his playoffs avg which is 5 plus assist per game

Exactly what i was saying

 

[tlance]

Make or miss league. They are not really limiting his facilitating. The others are just missing shots. His teammates went 3-12 on his passes. They make 2 or 3 of those missed shots and he ends up at his playoffs avg which is 5 plus assist per game

They are though.

They are literally playing passing lanes on his drives instead of overcommitting.

They aren’t trying to double to get the ball out of his hands and they are backing off and letting him take long jumpers with a late contest whenever he wants.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[bksballer89]

They are though.

They are literally playing passing lanes on his

Even though with the same # of potential assist as he did in the regular season?

 

[bksballer89]

 

[tlance]

Even though with the same # of potential assist as he did in the regular season?

Yeah.

Butler is handling the ball a lot more because:

It is the playoffs and Lowry is out.

He is going to still get assist opportunities. Because he is their main playmaker and he has the ball a lot.

But actually watch how the Celtics are defending him. Stark contrast compared to how they defended Durant who they threw a lot of extra attention at to limit scoring chances.

Also, because the Celtics are playing Butler to pass, they are in better position to contest to look off of his “assist opportunity” leading to a lower percentage shot.

 

[BigKen]

Butler scored 41 in Game 1. No Marcus Smart.

Smart returns for game 2 and Butler scores 29. Coincidence? Defense that wasn't in Game 1?

Butler is the concrete block that the Miami offense is built. Where do they go if he twists a knee/sprains an ankle?

Couple of things. The most glaring thing is that Miami cannot stop the C's incredible 50%+ 3 point shooting. At one point the C's were 16 of 26. They went a bit chilly and finished 20/40.

C's have Tatum, Brown and Williams scoring and then Smart, the defender throws in 29 because the Heat are concentrating on Tatum. The minute they go after Smart, The Celtics will take the game inside to Horford or go wide to Williams.

The great coach Solestra was caught on the bench about ten times just shaking his head. Frustration? Didn't have an answer?

The Celtics now have the Home Court Advantage. Miami took it's first home loss of the playoffs. Celtics in 6.

 

[bksballer89]

Smart returns for game 2 and Butler scores 29. Coincidence? Defense that wasn't in Game 1?

Lol smart did nothing to butler. If it wasn't such a blowout, jimmy would have ended with 35. He shot almost an identical shooting %. 29 on 18 shots is pretty damn good

 

[fightinfunbags]

Lol smart did nothing to butler. If it wasn't such a blowout, jimmy would have ended with 35. He shot almost an identical shooting %. 29 on 18 shots is pretty damn good

It’s kind of crazy to think about but the Heat playoff success seems to hinge on Strus being able to knock down his shots. If he is hot it seems like they win. If he is off they struggle. I didn’t look to deep on the numbers. Just a casual observation.

 

[Robotech]

I think the Celtics are the best team remaining, but you don't have to be the best team to win. I hope the Heat win today so that it tightens up this series. Yes, I know it's 1-1 right now.

 

[Wamu]

Lol smart did nothing to butler. If it wasn't such a blowout, jimmy would have ended with 35. He shot almost an identical shooting %. 29 on 18 shots is pretty damn good

Heard this the other day. Don't remember if it was NBAtoday or sportscenter. Smart held Jimmy Buckets to nine total points in 30 possessions when he guarded him. To say Smart did nothing to Butler is incorrect.

 

[bksballer89]

Heard this the other day. Don't remember if it was NBAtoday or sportscenter. Smart held Jimmy Buckets to nine total points in 30 possessions when he guarded him. To say Smart did nothing to Butler is incorrect.

Jimmy shot 60% when smart defended him

 

[bksballer89]