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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 16:37:41 GMT -5
Brett Brown vs. Brad Stevens' preparation for Game 4 of ECSFBy Justin QuinnCharles Krupa/APIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times... It's probably clear who is who by this point, but how are each preparing for Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals tonight? Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics are sitting pretty with a three-to-zero lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, who are facing a home elimination in a whole no modern NBA team has ever dug out of. The 76ers might just have to bear the Process being over was a premature "confetulation" - while the Celts are going to need to deny the surging Cleveland Cavaliers rest if they want their best shot at dethroning LeBron James in their current state (did I really just type that seriously? Yes, yes I did). Given the stakes at hand, how are they preparing for tonight? Watch the videos below for a peek into their mindset and plans, as well as a third-party overview from the guys at NBA on TNT - one way or another, it's going to be a hugely-important game. www.celticslife.com/2018/05/watch-brett-brown-vs-brad-stevens.html
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 16:42:29 GMT -5
3 Advantages to pulling off the sweepby Joshua BatemanHere are three ways the Boston Celtics will benefit from pulling off a sweep against the 76ersThe Boston Celtics have an unexpected opportunity to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers tonight, but some teams will not always benefit from ending a series so quickly. In fact, we saw in game one of this series how a team might be better off without the time off, and coming off an intense game seven victory. Teams want to stay fresh, and it always feels good building on a hard fought series victory. The Celtics are also a young team, and with so many players playing the best basketball of their career, you might not want to do anything to disrupt what they are doing on the court. Taking that into account, there are still may more advantages to ending this series as quickly as possible. The most obvious one is that you can never take anything for granted, and never want to give the 76ers any more hope in this series, no matter how bad it might look right now. On top of that, you want to be able to control as much as possible, and Brad Stevens and these players will be able to put themselves in a much better position if they end the series tonight in Philadelphia. hardwoodhoudini.com/2018/05/07/boston-celtics-3-advantages-to-pulling-off-the-sweep/
Extra rest
In the end, trying to predict momentum is taking matters out of your own hands. It is impossible to predict how well a team will translate from one series to another, and getting extra rest is something every team should be able to get benefits from.
The Celtics have to believe in their ability to play their best even with that extra time off, because these players want to prove that they are not flukes.
These players will be able to work on a lot of things, and make sure they take every chance they can to build on what is happening in the playoffs.
If the Celtics want to prove that what they have done in this round is not a fluke, they have to be able to play at the same level no matter what the conditions are. The team will be fresher and they will be smarter, and there is now way that can be seen as a problem for a team being run by Brad Stevens.
The Celtics would love to ride this momentum, but that would never be at the cost of eliminating the 76ers as quickly as possible and getting all that extra rest.
Time to prepare
With almost no time between the Bucks and 76ers series, the Celtics went into the second round with a tremendous plan. They have figured out how to slow down Ben Simmons, and have contained Joel Embiid to playing in the way they want, helping them slow down the overall offense.
Brad Stevens can come up with something no matter how much time he is given, but LeBron James is going to be a lot harder to figure out than any problems the 76ers present. The Celtics have players they know are capable of defending the 76ers individually, but that is never the case with James.
The Celtics are going to need to throw as many different things at him, because it is only a matter of time before James finds a way to overcome you.
The Celtics have Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Semi Ojeleye, who could all attempt to help disrupt James, and the longer Stevens has to figure out how to use these players on him, the more likely they are to keep him from repeating what he is doing against the Raptors.
Jaylen Brown
Brown has been playing phenomenally in this series, but he has clearly looked bothered by his hamstring. Somehow, he only looks hurt after he makes an athletic play, but he can clearly use some extra time off.
If the Celtics sweep the 76ers, there is going to be a massive break. With the Cavaliers also looking to sweep, and the Celtics know they want to be as fresh as possible, and absolutely need Brown to be at 100 percent against them.
Brown was arguably the best player on the team before getting hurt, and they need his best on both ends against the Cavaliers. He is the best physical matchup for James, and we already know he is not going to play scared no matter who he is playing.
If, however, Brown is limited in any way physically, James will absolutely abuse him. If James senses any kind of weakness in him physically, there would be no chance of stopping him, and a long series against the 76ers could prevent Brown from having a proper impact on James.
He is proving that he can score while playing hurt right now, but James presents a world of problems, and losing any physical edge takes away what could make him the most important player against the Cavaliers.
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Post by hedleylamarr on May 7, 2018 16:44:55 GMT -5
Finish them off today. Shut these people up. Can't believe we are still underdogs. Let's end this thing today. Keep it close, then, like Cole says, let our superior conditioning pay off at the end.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 16:46:05 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 16:51:40 GMT -5
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Post by cole on May 7, 2018 16:52:56 GMT -5
I wonder if they'll let Embiid start elbowing folks in the face tonight. That's what it's going to take.
Brinko De Mayo? either classic or inappropriate. I'll let you libs decide.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 16:53:25 GMT -5
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:08:03 GMT -5
Can we do anything besides launch 3's?
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:09:02 GMT -5
C's getting out in transition, but can't convert. Baynes has taken three 3's already.
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:14:45 GMT -5
Hope the C's puts this series to rest tonight. So sick of hearing "the process".
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Post by cole on May 7, 2018 17:14:48 GMT -5
They're leaving him wide open still. I'm ok with it as long as we keep moving the ball like we have been. The first few possessions they really had to chase. Body blows.
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Post by cole on May 7, 2018 17:16:40 GMT -5
Lol Belinelli on the reverse.
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:17:27 GMT -5
Back to back 3's from Tatum and Brown pulls us within 1
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Post by cole on May 7, 2018 17:19:43 GMT -5
That sequence had to hurt the sixer morale. Ours confidence unshakable by this team no matter what (lebron may be a different story).
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:23:07 GMT -5
Wow... both teams struggling to score
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:23:32 GMT -5
and-1 for morris on the nice cut to the rim.
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Post by cole on May 7, 2018 17:23:39 GMT -5
Finally Morris a smart play
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:24:19 GMT -5
Wow... Morris twin in the stands wearing his brothers jersey.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 17:24:31 GMT -5
Ball Don't Lie re Smart foul ... I didn't see it
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:25:30 GMT -5
wow... Smart missed a wide open bunny.
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 17:25:57 GMT -5
Embiid ... Did AL foul you on that iso?
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 17:28:32 GMT -5
2nd to Covington on Baynes rebound ... 1-2 ... for Baynes
Larkin drilled by Embiid on the pick ... he's headed to trainer's room
19-18 Celtics ...
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Post by drboogiebone on May 7, 2018 17:29:15 GMT -5
Larkin clutching his shoulder heading straight to the locker room.
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Post by cole on May 7, 2018 17:29:35 GMT -5
Has embiid been called for one foul ever? Yet bitched about Horford
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Post by Admin on May 7, 2018 17:30:44 GMT -5
Philly isn't running away from us and the refs are blowing their whistles ... +1
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