They have one of the tougher schedules in the Eastern Conference remaining after the Friday, so I think they'll still finish just shy of 50 wins, but that does seem to be about their level right now.The Celtics are 54-32 in the last calendar year, and 51-31 over their last 82 games.
That's a lot of games in two months.The Celtics are 54-32 in the last calendar year
Our depth really paid dividends.That's a lot of games in two months.![]()
Are you referring to Olynyk's Impact offensively or overall? We are 7-4 since he's been out while scoring 112+ in 5 of those games.Their outside shooting has been erratic of late as well. If Bradley, IT are inconsistent or just not making them with confidence and Olynyk isn't on the floor it changes things in defending the Celtics (spacing down low especially). Crowder being off the floor makes it worse. And I like Sullinger with the mid-range consistency - but I don't view him as the person I want to trust with taking the 3 very often - and it seems during Olynyk's absence he is putting up more of them (eye test - I didn't check the numbers). Turner/Zeller chemistry seems to have faded a bit, I'm not seeing him get free as often for the little bunnies in the paint. I get the sense he is a 'confidence' guy - he needs to be involved early for an easy bucket or two and then will be more aggressive during the game. I think he is too passive in the games lately. Maybe he is trying to avoid foul trouble knowing the Celtics are thin with Olynyk being out. Strange the ripple effect Olynyk is having during his absence. Maybe I am over estimating his impact in these areas - and while I don't believe they can't win without him (or any statement like that) - it is clear the road has been bumpier without him.
To be honest I was referring to offensively. I would say the 'offensive engine' needs a slight tuneup since he's been out. But again, I do wonder if I am giving him more credit than he has actually deserved.Are you referring to Olynyk's Impact offensively or overall? We are 7-4 since he's been out while scoring 112+ in 5 of those games.
I'd prefer they play Turner at the 3 more and give Jordan Mickey some run at the 4 while Olynyk works his way back.Crowder out at least two weeks. <snip>
If this becomes the moment that one of the noobs has a coming out party it could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe James Young finally takes a step up?
Looks like Olynyk might be back soon. I'd much prefer to see Mickey get minutes, at least the small ball 4 minutes that Crowder was getting. I really hope we don't see Young. Smart might get more minutes at the 3 too.I'd prefer they play Turner at the 3 more and give Jordan Mickey some run at the 4 while Olynyk works his way back.
Rozier got the call before both of them the other night and played well. He's the guy who I expect to get a shot to keep those minutes after his performance last game.I imagine we'd see RJ before Young.
Probably, but I would imagine there will be times when they don't want 4 guards, the tallest of whom is Marcus Smart, on the floor.Rozier got the call before both of them the other night and played well. He's the guy who I expect to get a shot to keep those minutes after his performance last game.
I agree but in that case it makes more sense to go traditional with Mickey rather than a bunch of 2-guards. I'd also argue that Rozier plays "bigger" than both Young and Hunter even if he isn't as tall. I think Mickey gets regular rotation minutes until Olynyk returns.Probably, but I would imagine there will be times when they don't want 4 guards, the tallest of whom is Marcus Smart, on the floor.
Smart actually plays pretty well as a 4-guard, otherwise known as a mutant power forward.Probably, but I would imagine there will be times when they don't want 4 guards, the tallest of whom is Marcus Smart, on the floor.
I might have been hallucinating, but I think I recall Smart guarding Porzingis in the Knick game and acquitting himself nicely.Smart actually plays pretty well as a 4-guard, otherwise known as a mutant power forward.
Where do we get a Magic to play 5-guard?Smart actually plays pretty well as a 4-guard, otherwise known as a mutant power forward.
Sure, but I imagine there are matchups where it would be best not to do that.Smart actually plays pretty well as a 4-guard, otherwise known as a mutant power forward.
Mickey is completely incompetent in the offensive system right now, and mostly lost on defense. He shouldn't be getting any minutes outside of garbage time.IT, Bradley, Smart, Sully and Amir is fine BUT Marcus needs to stop hoisting 3s. That snow day 3pt drill session has worn off and he has reverted to his old, below average shooter self
Would rather see Brad work with a 2nd unit of Mickey, Olynyk, Jerebko, Turner and one of Smart/IT/Bradley...Zeller gets minutes if the opponents true center needs to be run into the ground for 10-15 minutes...and very occasionally Rozier.
I'd like to see what we have with Mickey, lets get him some minutes.
Life without Jae is going to be rough, we'll probably end up a 7 or 8 seed...or out of the playoffs.
I can see Mickey finding his niche as a stretch-4 offensively and a undersized rim protector for the second unit defensively down the road.Mickey is completely incompetent in the offensive system right now, and mostly lost on defense. He shouldn't be getting any minutes outside of garbage time.
Count me as one who saw us playing awful basketball, with little energy, against some bad matchups (even with Crowder), and getting destroyed by opposing bigs. I'm not sure how much of these past few losses are due to being without Crowder as much as being exposed again at the 4/5.But wouldn't most teams struggle when they lose one of their two most important players? I feel like all this exposes is that Crowder is really important to the team on both sides of the ball.
The Warriors are a dramatically better team than the Celtics, so that's fine that they do better without Curry. Jae Crowder is probably more important to the Celtics than Griffin is to the Clippers. I don't want to say Crowder is better than Griffin (he might be though), but the Clippers haven't figured out a way to use him all that effectively at least.The Warriors win games without Curry, the Clippers win games without Griffin......we can't even be competitive without Jae Crowder? This doesn't pass the smell test to me.
I think a 3-way tie at the top knocks Boston back to 5th because division winners get to be in the top 4. Could be wrong.Disclaimer: I have a tendency to slip up on easy math.
But I'm pretty sure that a C's win tonight vs. the Hawks would mean they only need to take one of the last two vs. Hornets and Heat to clinch the three seed. A win against the Hawks gives the C's a one game lead (at least) over everybody, plus tiebreakers all around. I think.
you are.I think a 3-way tie at the top knocks Boston back to 5th because division winners get to be in the top 4. Could be wrong.