Celtics vs 76ers, Round 2 Discussion

[benhogan]

If his knee risks long term injury they’ll shut him down but they’re not shutting him down for any reason other than that. The #1 in the conference is out there’s no way they’re punting on these playoffs because they don’t like their matchup against Boston thats crazy to suggest

Obviously, the vast majority of Joel being shut down is based on his long-term health, but it isn't just black & white. If Embiid has very limited mobility/conditioning, good luck with him guarding anyone on the perimeter. Boston will go 5 wide and render him useless. That's pretty much the 76ers punting on the season.

If he is gimpy/limited and needs more time, they would be better off going small with PJ or Reed at the 5. Rest Embiid further in the hopes they can pull a Panthers-style upset with Joel returning for the next round.

Either way, the 76ers options aren't great.

 

[NomarsFool]

Agree his conditioning isn't great, but I think that would not be a reason to hold him out completely. Again, assuming there is no risk of long-term injury (although these things are often not completely black and white), I would think at a minimum they would run him out there for 5 minutes a quarter.

 

[radsoxfan]

He didn't get PRP for an LCL. There's some bigtime subterfuge going on somewhere. It's either not an LCL or the PRP thing is a total smokescreen.

My guess is manageable meniscus tear that requires cleanup in the offseason, and he's limited but plays most if not all of the games. And Doc is working overtime to plant false stories.

Why couldn't he have gotten PRP for an LCL? Can definitely be done, have seen some MMA guys get it done 2 weeks before fighting for a bad LCL tear and then they go out there. Who knows how well it works, especially in that short of a time period though.

Separate from the PRP thing, the video of the injury itself just didn't seem like an isolated LCL injury to me...

So my hunch is either there is more going on than just LCL OR the injury isn't that bad and they are playing it up a bit. No idea which it is.

 

[Saints Rest]

Agree his conditioning isn't great, but I think that would not be a reason to hold him out completely. Again, assuming there is no risk of long-term injury (although these things are often not completely black and white), I would think at a minimum they would run him out there for 5 minutes a quarter.

Isn't this what the Celtics did with KG in 2010 playoffs -- something like 6 on, 6 off?

 

[Jimbodandy]

Why couldn't he have gotten PRP for an LCL? Can definitely be done, have seen some MMA guys get it done 2 weeks before fighting for a bad LCL tear and then they go out there. Who knows how well it works, especially in that short of a time period though.

Separate from the PRP thing, the video of the injury itself just didn't seem like an isolated LCL injury to me...

So my hunch is either there is more going on than just LCL OR the injury isn't that bad and they are playing it up a bit. No idea which it is.

MMA guys are bonkers though.

I stand corrected. Never heard of anyone using that for something like this or basically anything that gets better with rest/immobilizing

 

[RorschachsMask]

View: https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1653114030620303378?s=20

 

[JCizzle]

View: https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1653114030620303378?s=20

I wonder if my job would let me pull off the hoodie under a sports jacket look.

 

[InstaFace]

I'm looking forward to the Celtics making Embiid move on defense.

Grant Williams right now:

Spoiler: for tonight, or as soon as Embiid puts on a uniform

 

[radsoxfan]

MMA guys are bonkers though.

I stand corrected. Never heard of anyone using that for something like this or basically anything that gets better with rest/immobilizing

Lots of ligament and muscle injuries get "treated" with PRP in hopes of quicker healing for professional athletes. I'm generally skeptical and data is mixed.

Seems like sometimes they want to make it seem like they are doing something more than actually making much difference. But who knows.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Lots of ligament and muscle injuries get "treated" with PRP in hopes of quicker healing for professional athletes. I'm generally skeptical and data is mixed.

Seems like sometimes they want to make it seem like they are doing something more than actually making much difference. But who knows.

Definitely on stuff like elbows and shoulders, desperation hail-mary type shit. Knees like Kemba's. But LCL? Like the range of outcomes from uncomplicated LCL sprains after immobilizing seems to be from "fine" to "like it never happened". But sounds like PRP is getting thrown around more regularly.

 

[Cornboy14]

@radsoxfan - thanks for all your posts in this thread.

When an athlete has a knee injury like Embiid, what kind of things would they do to keep up their conditioning? I assume they wouldn't run - would they be able to cycle or swim? If it's just a "depends" - totally understand.

 

[radsoxfan]

Definitely on stuff like elbows and shoulders, desperation hail-mary type shit. Knees like Kemba's. But LCL? Like the range of outcomes from uncomplicated LCL sprains after immobilizing seems to be from "fine" to "like it never happened". But sounds like PRP is getting thrown around more regularly.

They aren't worried that it won't heal. If you or I sprain our LCL, there is almost certainly no point in PRP (though that won't stop some sketchy docs from charging out of pocket for it).

But in pro sports, it's all about return to play timeline... trying to turn a 4-6 week injury into a 2-3 week injury. When speeding things up is critical, they will try anything they think is safe and potentially helpful.

 

[radsoxfan]

@radsoxfan - thanks for all your posts in this thread.

When an athlete has a knee injury like Embiid, what kind of things would they do to keep up their conditioning? I assume they wouldn't run - would they be able to cycle or swim? If it's just a "depends" - totally understand.

It depends is probably the main answer. Cycling and swimming are sometimes good, especially for collateral ligaments like MCL and LCL that you don't want to stress side to side.

Agree with the Embiid conditioning issues potentially being important... that's always been one of his biggest problems. His 4th quarter defense has been noticeably worse when he isn't in top shape, and hard to stay in top shape with an injury like this.

 

[NomarsFool]

 

[Mystic Merlin]

‘There is optimism’ that he ‘could’ play on Wednesday. Whatever that means.

 

[jaytftwofive]

The most playoff meetings between two teams in NBA history. Cs are 14-7. The last time the Sixers beat the Celtics in a playoff series was the "Beat L.A." game.

That's including when the Sixers were the Syracuse Nationals I guess.

 

[Euclis20]

Embiid officially out, per both Woj and Shams:

View: https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1653156092069675008?s=20

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Bball Paul it is!

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Windhorst reported on ESPN that he was only participating in ‘light shooting’ at practice.

I don’t know how he’s gonna be all, or most, systems go in two days if he’s not running.

 

[DGreenwood]

Embiid officially out, per both Woj and Shams:

View: https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1653156092069675008?s=20

I hope he does play on Tuesday and then is unavailable on Wednesday.

 

[Smokey Joe]

I hope he does play on Tuesday and then is unavailable on Wednesday.

The idea of both Woj and Embiid wandering through TD Garden looking for a game on Tuesday is moderately amusing.

 

[lexrageorge]

The idea of both Woj and Embiid wandering through TD Garden looking for a game on Tuesday is moderately amusing.

Or depressing if you’re a Bruins fan.

 

[RorschachsMask]

Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today ranked the 8 remaining playoff teams, and yikes.

https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-eight-remaining-nba-playoff-154812165.html

 

[kelpapa]

Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today ranked the 8 remaining playoff teams, and yikes.

You should not give this article clicks.

 

[Smokey Joe]

You should not give this article clicks.

Let me guess without giving it clicks, the Warriors and the Lakers were numbers 1 and 2.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Let me guess without giving it clicks, the Warriors and the Lakers were numbers 1 and 2.

Nugs 1
Heat 2
6ers 3

Celtics 8

 

[Cellar-Door]

Let me guess without giving it clicks, the Warriors and the Lakers were numbers 1 and 2.

nope, it was based apparently entirely on how good your 1st round looked (regardless of matchup or circumstance) so DEN, MIA, PHI were the top 3

 

[Nator]

Edit: this isn't the game thread.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Philly in 6. The Celtics are poorly coached, not mentally tough, and disinterersted in playing defense, and they panic with the game on the line. All against an old Philly team missing its best player and probably league MVP.

Their response to the Bruins choke job was "Hold our beer!".

 

[Devizier]

I’m going Celtics in 7 and there will be a lot of caterwauling about it.

Definitely more confident in the second prediction .

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

Heart says celts in 5, head says celts in 6. I’m awful at predicting these things.

 

[Red Averages]

Philly in 6. The Celtics are poorly coached, not mentally tough, and disinterersted in playing defense, and they panic with the game on the line. All against an old Philly team missing its best player and probably league MVP.

Their response to the Bruins choke job was "Hold our beer!".

This is getting tiring. You just said your opinion changes based on a few make or misses in either direction. The Celtics may or may not be mentally tough - them getting to the finals last year, despite being down 3-2 to the Bucks, and favorites again this year would suggest they have some ability. On the other hand I’ve never seen another fan who panicked as often as you in the Patriots, Bruins, Celtics and anything related to the economy. It’s tiring. I knew you would have the first or second post in this thread. You’re the Roman Roy of SoSH getting off on failure and anxiety.

76ers shot 45% from 3, Harden had an all-time game, and the Celtics could have easily won (particularly if the Maxey play was ruled a charge). It’s less than ideal but it’s fine. Celtics can very easily win this in 5 or 6. They will be favored in every game.

 

[Reverend]

 

[128]

Whether the call was bad or not, it was close enough to go either way, and Maxey's three-point play, which cut the C's lead to one, was an absolute game-changer.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

I thought they were fine until that horrendous possession up 1 with 30 sec left, where they lost all composure again.

"Only" close because Harden scored 45 and a bad turnover disparity game. Not too concerned... yet... even though they keep doing this shit.

 

[Cellar-Door]

That was a pretty embarrassing performance. They got to run a layup line in the first, Philly had nobody who could guard Tatum, Brown or Brogdon. Tons of chances to blow it open, but poor defense and terrible lazy turnovers kept it close. Yes Philly shot well, but they also got good shots, offensive rebounds, and transition off bad turnovers.
I still think the Celtics win this series, especially if Embiid isn't healthy, but the continuation of all the things that helped give away Atlanta games is a concern both for this series and the next round if they can make it.

 

[DGreenwood]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Vdw9flATQ&ab_channel=NBA

 

[shoelace]

I thought they were fine until that horrendous possession up 1 with 30 sec left, where they lost all composure again.

"Only" close because Harden scored 45 and a bad turnover disparity game. Not too concerned... yet.

Yes, a huge part of why they lost is that Malcolm Brogdon threw the ball away. Regardless of the shot clock rationale, his mistake swung the game to the 76ers. They win this series in 6.

 

[terrynever]

Philly only had six turnovers. Gotta be a franchise record.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Philly in 6. The Celtics are poorly coached, not mentally tough, and disinterersted in playing defense, and they panic with the game on the line. All against an old Philly team missing its best player and probably league MVP.

Their response to the Bruins choke job was "Hold our beer!".

Hysterical

 

[Brand Name]

Philly only had six turnovers. Gotta be a franchise record.

Tied for the third-fewest in franchise playoff history, done three other times. Lower:

-
-vs. Raptors, April 16, 2022, 3.
-vs. Bucks, June 3, 2001, 5.

4-2 in those games.

 

[Cellar-Door]

View: https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1653218867357921281

 

[terrynever]

Tied for the third-fewest in franchise playoff history, done three other times. Lower:

-
-vs. Raptors, April 16, 2022, 3.
-vs. Bucks, June 3, 2001, 5.

4-2 in those games.

Thanks, Jess. Aaron McKie was pretty careful with the ball.

 

[Red Averages]

I expect the Celtics will hunt Maxey more and more as the series advances. He’s a huge liability out there and clearly susceptible to fouls. How do the 76ers adjust?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

This is getting tiring. You just said your opinion changes based on a few make or misses in either direction. The Celtics may or may not be mentally tough - them getting to the finals last year, despite being down 3-2 to the Bucks, and favorites again this year would suggest they have some ability. On the other hand I’ve never seen another fan who panicked as often as you in the Patriots, Bruins, Celtics and anything related to the economy. It’s tiring. I knew you would have the first or second post in this thread. You’re the Roman Roy of SoSH getting off on failure and anxiety.

76ers shot 45% from 3, Harden had an all-time game, and the Celtics could have easily won (particularly if the Maxey play was ruled a charge). It’s less than ideal but it’s fine. Celtics can very easily win this in 5 or 6. They will be favored in every game.

Last year's playoffs Celtics had less talent than this year's version. Tatum, White, and Brown improved from last year. There was no Brogdon equivalent last year.

But last year's Celtics had more mental toughness. Even in some playoff games when they did not have their best they could grind and outlast teams. This year's team doesn't really grind. Philly, including old injured Harden and without their best player and maybe league MVP, outlasted us.

I think Udoka could get more out of the team than Mazulla has thus far been able to.

Yes, Philly was hot from three - maybe if the Celtics tried some defense that might have helped a bit.

In what turned out to be the pivotal late possession, the Celtics not only failed to get a shot off, they coughed the ball up and then literally stood and watched from their frontcourt while Maxsey scored on a breakaway. Stood and watched.

I'll give credit to Marcus Smart because he rose above a sloppy game (6 turnovers) and went down battling. Led the team with 10 points in the 4th. Two crazy 3 point plays, including hitting both free throws, and a key assist to Al Horford late. Plus he nearly drew a charge on Maxsey that might have won the game. The Jays, not so much. Jaylen Brown had a great first quarter, 14 points on 6-7 shooting from the field. He took only three shots for the whole rest of the game. And had 4 turnovers. Jayson Tatum had 39 points but only 5 points (and only one shot from the field) in the 4th.

 

[ehaz]

View: https://twitter.com/eastmuse/status/1653225050726707202?s=46


Thank god they gave up the switch so willingly to this man, he could’ve destroyed them.

 

[InstaFace]

The Maxey play was definitely a block, for what it's worth. Once the attacker is airborne, his flight path is protected space. Unless Smart was there prior to him going up - as the announcers said - it has to be a block. Maxey went up, and then Marcus made his last slide-step over to get in position. If Maxey was still taking steps toward the basket, then sure, it's a charge... but he was in the air, which makes all the difference.

There weren't a lot of bad calls in this game, imo. Maybe a few Tatum drives in the first half where he could've gotten an and-1. We got the benefit of the White travel non-call / foul call. Refereeing certainly wasn't the reason we lost. Treating the ball like a live hand grenade in the last minute had a bit more to do with it.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

View: https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1653218867357921281

Ah, but C-D, losing more often when favored by double digits than any team in the past 32 years is just all part of the Celtics secret master plam for league domiance.

 

[Red Averages]

Last year's playoffs Celtics had less talent than this year's version. Tatum, White, and Brown improved from last year. There was no Brogdon equivalent last year.

But last year's Celtics had more mental toughness. Even in some playoff games when they did not have their best they could grind and outlast teams.

I can’t tell if you’re actively trolling, or if you used a MenInBlack memory eraser during the off-season?

Do you need me to go back through last years Celtics playoff threads to show your opinion of them?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

There weren't a lot of bad calls in this game, imo. Maybe a few Tatum drives in the first half where he could've gotten an and-1. We got the benefit of the White travel non-call / foul call. Refereeing certainly wasn't the reason we lost. Treating the ball like a live hand grenade in the last minute had a bit more to do with it.

There may have been few bad calls, but I would call letting Tucker have a free punch at Tatum's nuts was a very bad call.