The Celtics are disappointed to be trailing 3-2 in the NBA Finals, but they were able to overcome the same situation in their second-round series with the Bucks, writes Zach Lowe of ESPN. Players faced that deficit with a surprising calmness after letting a 14-point lead slip away in the fourth quarter of a Game 5 loss at home, Lowe states, and they were able to retake control of the series.
“Everyone looked at each other and kind of gave each other a tap on the back and it was over,” Marcus Smart recalls. “Onto the next one. We all knew. Just stay together. Stay together. We had each other’s back. We knew Game 6 for us, there was gonna be hell to pay. And there was.”
Lowe notes the contrast with how the team handled losing early in the season, citing a November incident in which Smart called out Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum for not passing the ball enough. The comments created “real tension” in the locker room, especially between Smart and Brown, according to Lowe. And although the players have worked out their differences, Lowe says the incident affected the atmosphere surrounding the team for the next two months.
There’s more from Boston:
- Brown called this year’s playoff run a “learning experience” that has helped the Celtics become more resilient in tough situations, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Brown believes playing three elimination games already will benefit the team heading into tonight’s Game 6. “We are not scared. We do not fear the Golden State Warriors,” he said. “We want to come out and play the best version of basketball that we can. We know it’s a good team over there. We know they’ve done it before. But we have all the belief in ourselves. We’re going to come out and leave it all out there. That’s the whole intent.”
- The Celtics plan to spend less time tonight focused on the referees, Bontemps adds. Coach Ime Udoka thought his team got too distracted by the officiating in Game 5.
- Robert Williams could potentially swing the series if the Celtics can find a way to get him more involved with the offense, suggests Brian Robb of MassLive. Williams is shooting 88% from the field against the Warriors’ smaller lineups, but he’s put up just 18 shots through five games.
I actually think the Celtics need to pass less and just shoot more. They’re too hesitant to just shoot. A bad shot is way better than a bad turnover.
Absolutely! When they have more than 10 turnovers, they LOSE.
Actually that’s what happened in game one right? Shot the lights out. Just trust the shooting of the two stars, Plus Horford and Derek White. Let it Fly. Prichard too. All good shooters.
So, hopefully Boston doesn’t list to you, GWRS!
@Gary
Isn’t that EXACTLY what they were negatively criticized of doing prior? Too much 1 on 1 hero ball? What they lack is a real pg.
Not having a legit ball handler is really hurting BOS. If they are able to find a ball handler and who’s decent on defense, their team would probably be completely unlocked.
The refs have been pretty bad imo but the c’s aren’t doing themselves any favors. Smart is exaggerating his flops way to much and the constant bitching to the refs don’t get you calls. I think they’re the better team if they can play their game but the W’s have the obvious mental advantage.
One thing that pisses me off the most is the constant illegal screens. Half the time the warriors screeners act like lead blockers in football and initiate contact without establishing any position or allowing the defender to move. If there’s a play to flop on, it’s that.
The C’s flop on stationary screens. Also, your claim about GSW’s screens isn’t true, as the announcers have agreed during the games, mentioning several bad calls after replays showed the screen was set.
The fact is that GSW has been called for 24 more fouls and the Celtics have shot 27 more free throws.
Was set, then moved towards the target after the contact, creating more contact. There is no basketball reason for that, since there are useful places to go after the screen impact that is not “finishing the block”.
Flopping is hard to call and gets the whistles out, so it’s a good tactic.
Both sides get away with moving screens (actually the entire NBA). It’s similar to travel calls, very infrequent. Also, it’s really amusing to see BOS fans complaining about the refs considering the # of calls is tilted towards BOS so far in the series.
Warriors biggest weakness
Defend 3 point shooters.
Anything can happen tonight
I fear a C’s blow out …
Jayson “ain’t him” or Anthony “street clothes” Davis. Which media created nickname is funnier?
Anthony Day to Davis
Web Embiid
CP3-6 Weeks
Gilbert brings guns to Arenas
@Orie
good stuff…
BOS can’t change the structure of their team and didn’t need to. They don’t have any high end facilitators, but that’s OK. Everyone is a willing passer, and the ball movement is there most of the time. If anything, their best player, Tatum, is passing too much, although usually in too pedestrian a manner or too deep into the clock. He’s had no interest in anything except an open 3, or a drive though and open lane to the basket. Brown tries to pick up the slack, but lacks the handle to be a go to guy down the stretch of games. The result has been (all playoffs) too many droughts in half court offense at the wrong times.
Tatum spins well and likes it, but unless it’s done going to the rim, it forces a recalculation to find the rim again and maybe reset to get a good shot off. It’s easiest to make a pass to the perimeter in that interim. Second easiest is to miss the shot and that’s a turnover.
Meanwhile Smart usually has no spinning in him!
To be an elite finisher (like his mentor, Durant, and before that his idol, Kobe), he needs a midrange game, specifically a pull up jumper off the dribble when his path to In lieu of recalculation, and/or kicking it out the peri the basket is blocked. meter.
So much easier at least. He can shoot over people.
Here comes the Celtic thug bs.