Another complete ass kicking.
The final score may say 127-112, but it really didn’t feel that close after the first quarter.
No screwing around, no overlooking their opponents, no making excuses, just pure basketball domination.
How good is that?
Well, the Nuggets are second in that regard at a +11.5.
You know, their human basketball cheat code.
The goal is to win a goddamn title.
But at the same time, you cannot do that in March.
Because they, like so many before them, ran into a buzzsaw.
Let’s talk about it.
I’m talking about playing nearly flawless basketball.
Not just got a game, not just for two games, but every single game since the break.
Well uh, for Jaylen Brown that might mean playing at a top 15 level.
To me, the turnover part is still my favorite aspect of this run.
hey look at that column again.
Oh and lets not forget, this isn’t just an offensive player.
He’s only 27.
Do I have any idea where his 24 points on 8-14 (6-10) came from?
Was it incredible to witness?
And it’s not just me either.
That’s why the younger guys cannot fuck around and blow winnable playoff games.
If you need a reminder, just watch those clips again.
- If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times.
If you do not have the wing defense to handle the Jays, you’re cooked.
It’s over for you.
If you play up to try and take away his three, guess what?
He’s now used his size and quickness and is at the rim.
There’s no fucking around.
They are the aggressors, and when they play that way it changes everything.
I think we also saw why KD speaks so highly of Tatum as the next face of the NBA.
If anyone knows what that player looks like, it’s KD.
- I fucking love Joe Mazzulla
The man is a basketball psycho, and he’s our basketball psycho.
How many other coaches in the league even consider doing something like that?
The best part is, this is just who Joe is.
Maybe they are too embarrassed to admit they were wrong about Joe?
I mean holy hell.
That’s big time stuff.
Derrick is back to shooting without hesitation (which makes all the difference).
Together they are giving you elite three point shooting, elite defense, and elite ball security.
What we saw was a perfect example of basketball math and the very foundation of Mazzulla Ball.
The Suns were very efficient pretty much all night (finished 47/35%).
Both teams made 47 FGM, and the FTM was pretty much even (8 vs 7).
So how did this turn into a blowout?
it’s possible for you to’t beat the Celts by trading 2s for 3s.
When they are shooting like they did last night from deep, you have to keep pace.
It’s not really that complicated and yet some Celts fans still don’t understand this.
The Suns didn’t (50 vs 31), and they paid the price.
- Another game with 30+ AST and under 10 TOs.
I’m not sure about anyone else, but just thinking about that makes me emotional.
It’s all I ever wanted when it comes to this team.
Move the ball, take care of the ball.
If you do those things, you will be a champion.
The Bad
- Didn’t love how the Celts started this game defensively, with no real resistance.
You just didn’t get the sense that the Celts were making the Suns feel their pressure.
It’s a very weird feeling that I can’t say I love.
That’s all I ask.
I don’t need him to be Tatum or be a 90% FT shooter.
I just need 75%.
- I still can’t say I loved the Celts end of quarter sets.
It still feels a little too predictable.
I’m not suggesting they need to score on every final possession of a quarter, that’s insane.
I’m just asking for a better process.
If you need an example of why, just look at last night.
Because they couldn’t rebound.
Those numbers are HORRENDOUS and quite frankly, are going to lose you a playoff game.
How do I know that?
Because I’ve seen it.
In a playoff series when you get a stop, you gotta finish off the defensive possession cleanly.
you better box out.
Those are more miles for everyone, which leads to potential burnout in the later rounds.
I know that Nurkic is a beast on the glass, but to me that’s not an excuse.
What good is getting stops if you’re able to’t finish off the possession?
The Celts defense is going to force a lot of misses.
Take care of the glass and everything else will fall into place.
