|
Post by drboogiebone on Sept 11, 2020 10:50:21 GMT -5
For the 3rd year in a row?
Stay tuned...
|
|
|
Post by quagmire on Sept 11, 2020 12:03:07 GMT -5
Doc, our good luck charm is back! Welcome back you were missed! Now let’s go C’s!! Let’s see if Kemba can answer the bell!
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 12:09:24 GMT -5
See what a Game 7 brings!
Even Doc is back because it's a Game 7.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2020 15:31:07 GMT -5
Predicting a Celts win.
Lets see.
|
|
|
Post by Cabutan on Sept 11, 2020 18:43:47 GMT -5
No easy baskets. If we have to smack lowry, do it. Thats what Nurse tells them to do.
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 18:46:58 GMT -5
What you guys think, close game or not?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2020 18:52:27 GMT -5
What you guys think, close game or not? Not. Celts by 10.
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 18:57:10 GMT -5
What you guys think, close game or not? Not. Celts by 10. Agree. Celts by 10 or more.
|
|
|
Post by hedleylamarr on Sept 11, 2020 19:01:54 GMT -5
Lets go!! 1 point or 50 doesn't matter to me
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 19:03:20 GMT -5
Lets go!! 1 point or 50 doesn't matter to me If it's a close game, it affects your heart rate.
Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Sept 11, 2020 19:40:00 GMT -5
Preview: Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors Round 2 Game 7 9/11/20
It’s win or go home.
By flceltsfan
Photo by Jim Poorten/NBAE via Getty Images
It comes down to this one game to decide the series. With the series tied at 3-3 after a double overtime thriller in Game 6, the Celtics have just one chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Home court advantage has meant little to these teams in this series with each game going to the road team. This could bode well for the Celtics as they are the road team for this game.
The Celtics have had 32 Game 7’s in their history and this is the most in league history. The Celtics are 23-9 in those games. They have played in 5 game 7’s since 2011 and have won 3 of them. Since 1980, the Celtics are 6-2 in Conference Semifinals Game 7’s. Brad Stevens is 2-1 in Game 7’s in his 7 seasons with the Celtics. The Raptors are 3-2 all time in Game 7’s with Kyle Lowry being 3-0 in Game 7’s.
The starters for both teams played heavy minutes in Game 6. Anunoby (49), Siakam (54), VanVleet (50), Lowry (53), Tatum (51), Brown (51), Theis 47), Smart (50), and Walker 52). The only starter who didn’t play big minutes was Gasol (16). The Raptors played small ball quite a bit and Serge Ibaka, who was questionable going into the game with an ankle injury, played 21 minutes. The Raptors played 8 players in Game 6 while the Celtics played 9. The starters for both teams played through the whole second half and both overtimes.
Gordon Hayward has cleared quarantine and is back working out with the team. He is expected to miss this game but if the Celtics can win this one and advance, he could be available in the next series. Vincent Poirier is still listed as day to day after leaving the bubble for the birth of his child. Marcus Smart was pretty much battered and bruised in Game 6, several times coming up limping or holding his back. I expect him to be available for this game. Patrick McCaw (knee) and Oshae Brissett (knee) remain out for the Raptors.
Probable Celtics Starters
PG: Kemba Walker SG: Marcus Smart SF: Jaylen Brown PF: Jayson Tatum C: Daniel Theis
Celtics Reserves Carsen Edwards Semi Ojeleye Brad Wanamaker Grant Williams Enes Kanter Romeo Langford Robert Williams Tacko Fall Tremont Waters
Injuries/NWT Javonte Green (knee) out Gordon Hayward (ankle) out Victor Poirier (personal) day to day
Head Coach Brad Stevens
Probable Raptors Starters
PG: Kyle Lowry SG: Fred VanVleet SF: OG Anunoby PF: Pascal Siakam C: Marc Gasol
Raptors Reserves Serge Ibaka Chris Boucher Terence Davis Dewan Hernandez Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Stanley Johnson Malcolm Miller Norman Powell Matt Thomas Paul Watson
Injuries Oshae Brissett (knee) out Patrick McCaw (knee) out
Head Coach Nick Nurse
Key Matchups
Marcus Smart vs Kyle Lowry Kyle Lowry willed his team to their 3 wins in this series. He has played the hardest and most minutes of any player on either team. It makes sense for Marcus Smart (1st team All Defense) to defend Lowry, who has been Toronto’s best player. Lowry said several times after Toronto’s blow out loss in Game 5 that he needed to be more aggressive in Game 6 and he definitely was, putting up 33 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. He shot 60% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. Lowry is 3-0 in Game 7’s over his career and has the most experience of all players in this situation. The Celtics must find a way to slow down Lowry if they hope to win this game.
Kemba Walker vs Fred VanVleet When Kemba plays well, the Celtics play well and when Kemba struggles, the Celtics seem to struggle as well. In Game 6, the Raptors realized this and played box and one for much of the game to limit Kemba. Kemba struggled in Game 6, scoring just 5 points while shooting 18% from the field and 16% from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 4 rebounds and 7 assi8sts. VanVleet had 21 point, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists but shot just 31% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc. The Celtics have to find a way to help Kemba get going in this game and he needs to be the leader that he came to Boston to be.
Honorable Mention
Jaylen Brown vs Pascal Siakam Brown has been the primary defender on Siakam for this series and has pretty much shut him down. Jaylen has also been a difference maker on the offensive end in all but Game 4. In Game 6, Jaylen led the Celtics with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 2 assists. The Celtics need to continue to keep Siakam from being a difference maker on the offensive end. They also definitely need an aggressive Jaylen Brown if they want to win this game.
Keys to the Game
Defense Defense is always a key to winning and especially so in this series. Both teams have played tough defense in this series. The Raptors have thrown the Celtics off a bit by playing zone defense and throwing different looks at them on the defensive end. The Celtics, playing lock down defense, held the Raptors to just 11 first quarter points and just 35 points in the first half of Game 5. If the Celtics hope to win this game, it is going to have to be with that same lock down defense. They have to come out strong and not allow the Raptors to get anything going. They can’t give them any confidence because when the Celtics allow them to feel good about themselves, it always ends poorly.
Rebound Much of rebounding is effort and desire. The Celtics have won the rebounding battle in all but one of their games against the Raptors this season and that one game that they were out rebounded was their only loss in the regular season. They have to work harder than the Raptors on the boards to grab rebounds and to convert those rebounds into points. When the Celtics put out extra effort on the boards, it usually carries over into other parts of their game.
Move the Ball Carefully The Celtics must move the ball and find the open man. When they play hero ball, it rarely ends well. But the Celtics must take care of the ball as the Raptors have win the turnover battle in all but one game in the series. The Celtics had a couple of costly turnovers late in the game that could have been avoided. They need to play team ball and they also have to continue to take care of the ball and limit their turnovers.
Be Aggressive The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team, as they were in Game 5. They have to come out strong and be aggressive right from the tip and not allow the Raptors to get anything going at all. The Celtics need to be aggressive on defense, on the boards, in going to the basket, and in diving for loose balls. They have to be aggressive from the tip to the final buzzer and not let up. In all 6 games so far, the Raptors have won the 3rd quarter as they come out strong and are aggressive while the Celtics let up somewhat when they come out in the 3rd quarter. The Celtics have to stop this trend and win each and every quarter with a strong and aggressive effort, especially after halftime.
Focus The Celtics must come out with a laser focus and not let their focus waiver. They need to be focused on taking good shots, on hitting their free throws, on making good passes, on handling the ball without turning it over, on playing tough lock down defense and on playing as a team. They have to execute the game plan and play their roles to perfection. There isn’t a lot of room for error in this series and it will take laser like focus to win this game.
Bench Play Going into this game, it was felt that the depth of the Raptors and the Celtics lack of a scorer off the bench would figure into this series. Norman Powell was the difference in Game 6 when he came off the bench to score 23 points on 54% shooting. Serge Ibaka has also been a difference maker for them. For the Celtics, Brad Wanamaker and Robert Williams have contributed over the course of the first 6 games. With the starters playing big minutes in Game 6, fatigue may come into play and both teams may need to get a boost from their bench. Hopefully the Celtics reserves are up to the challenge.
X-Factors
Coaching - The chess match continues between these two top coaches. The last move was from Nick Nurse as he changed up his defenses and played more small ball and we should expect some adjustments from Brad Stevens for this game to counter those moves. Brad needs to have the Celtics ready to come out strong right from the tip and be ready for in-game adjustments if Nurse changes things up.
Game 7 and Experience - The Raptors went all the way last season and won the title. Round 1 against Orlando ended in 5 games. Round 2 went to 7 games against the 76ers. The Eastern Conference Finals went to 6 games against the Bucks and the Finals went to 6 games against the Warriors. Kemba Walker has never been out of the first round in his time in Charlotte. The Celtics young core went to 7 games in Eastern Conference Finals vs Cleveland but lost. Kyle Lowry has the most experience of any player in this series, having played in 4 Game 7’s and having won his last 3. This game will come down to grit, heart, guts, hustle and hard work. Which team will have more and be able to sustain it through 48 minutes?
Officiating - Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. It’s hard to tell how a crew will call the game. They could call it tight or they could let them play. They could try to extend the series or call it straight. The Celtics struggled with foul trouble in Game 4 and somewhat in Game 5 with 4 on both Smart and Tatum. In Game 6, 2 starters had 5 fouls and 2 had 4 fouls with the fifth having 3 fouls. There were several calls late in Game 6 that could have changed the ending but they weren’t made. However the game is called, the Celtics have to keep their focus on the game and not allow the refs to sway that focus.
Official Report
With Scott Foster as the lead ref, it’s hard to tell what we will get in this one. At times he calls games one sided and is a tyrant with the whistle, calling every little thing and at other times he calls it evenly and lets them play. Tim Donaghy described Foster as a company man who will do what is asked of him to keep his seniority among refs.
Foster was part of the 2010 Finals game 7 officiating crew that called the final quarter completely different than the first 3 quarters and very one sided for the Lakers with 21 free throws for the Lakers and 6 for the Celtics in the final 12 minutes. He was voted the worst referee in the league by the players and coaches in an LA Times article.
The Celtics are 8-2 with Foster in their last 10 games and 2-0 in the playoffs so far with him calling the game. Toronto is 7-3 in their last 10 and 1-0 with Foster in the playoffs. He is definitely an x-factor.
Zarba has been good in some games, letting the teams play. He has also been bad in some games. There are a few games where he has favored the Celtics with his calls and a few where the calls have gone against them. It depends on the game. Tommy has had a few choice rants against Zarba in the past.The Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10 games with Zarba and 2-0 in these playoffs when he is calling the game. The Raptors are 6-4 in their last 10 with Zarba and 1-1 in the playoffs with him.
In the past, Guthrie has been a decent referee, usually letting the teams play rather than over-officiating but there have been a few where he has been very bad. The Celtics are 2-8 in their last 10 games when Guthrie is officiating. The Raptors are 5-5 in their last 10 games with Guthrie. This is his first game for either team in these playoffs.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Sept 11, 2020 19:48:52 GMT -5
3 keys to victory for “win and you’re in” game seven by Mark Nilon
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics key to victory No. 1) Contain Kyle Lowry
Seemingly throughout this entire series against the Boston Celtics, All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry has been out to prove to the masses why he should be considered as the greatest Toronto Raptor of all time.
His heroics in game six could very well be seen as the icing on the cake in that argument.
Logging an astonishing 53 minutes, Lowry boasted an impressive stat line of 33 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block on 60 percent shooting from the field and a whopping 60 percent shooting from downtown.
It seemed like no matter which defensive set the Cs threw at him, or how gelatin-esque his legs may have appeared, the 14th-year veteran always found a way to have the ball meet nylon.
In order for Boston to have so much as a chance of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals, one of their biggest tasks in this highly publicized game seven will be to find a way to contain the perennial All-Star.
A tough task indeed, but as we’ve seen in this series already it is achievable.
In each of their three wins in the Semifinals, the Cs have managed to hold Lowry to averages of 14.3 points on 36 percent shooting from the floor and 13 percent shooting from deep.
In comparison, during Toronto’s three victories, the point guard has boasted exceptional averages of 28.7 points on 51 percent shooting from the floor and 43 percent shooting from deep.
To attain this highly coveted game seven victory, the Boston Celtics need to key in on controlling the crowned king of the north.
(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics key to victory No. 2) C’s bigs must dominate the boards
The fact that I tried to look for a Getty image of a Boston Celtics big man rebounding the ball in this series and couldn’t find one kind of speaks to my point. For the record, the image used above is from the C’s bout against the Raptors during their seeding-game exhibition.
Far too often do we see Boston’s bigs get outrebounded by, not even Toronto’s own bigs necessarily but, frankly, everyone. In game six alone Daniel Theis was boxed out quite easily by OG Anunoby — who is two inches smaller and 10 pounds lighter — on four separate occasions and, in turn, the box score showed the rebounding battle going in the forward’s favor (13 in comparison to seven).
Just twice has one of the team’s primary big men led the Celtics in rebounds (Theis in games one and two) and, subsequently, they wound up winning both outings. It may sound obvious, but Boston severely needs their bigs to be more aggressive on the boards if they want to make a win more attainable tonight.
Any chance Toronto gets of nabbing a rebound is one less opportunity for Boston to capitalize on a second chance or fast break opportunity.
A fire needs to be lit under the bums of Boston’s bigs otherwise they’ll continue to get outrebounded by the likes of the 6-0 Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, AND Marcus Smart should not continuously find themselves collecting more rebounds than Theis and Robert Williams.
That is not a recipe for success as far as the Houdini’s concerned.
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics key to victory No. 3) Start hot, finish hot
The game of NBA basketball is one that lasts for a minimum of 48 minutes. This is a known fact, right?
If so, then why have we seemingly witnessed the Boston Celtics play for just 24 minutes and then, in turn, take the other 24 minutes off? Game six was a prime example of this obviously exaggerated statement.
Right out of the gates, it appeared the shamrocks were playing with a passion; a purpose. Comfortably in the driver’s seat, Boston, led by Marcus Smart’s bevy of treys and Jaylen Brown’s incredibly efficient early scoring, found themselves leading by so much as 12 points in the first half.
Though Toronto did manage to claw their way back to within four points, the Cs appeared to be well on their way to making the proper adjustments needed in the second half and, thus, head to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons.
Unfortunately, however, it was the Raptors who made the adjustments and, in turn, came away with the victory, which is why we find ourselves in the situation we currently are in.
Simply put, it was a tale of two halves — one that saw the Celtics start hot and end up fizzling out.
You know where I’m going with this everyone, as it pretty much was summed up in the header for this page: the Boston Celtics need to stay hot throughout the entirety of the game.
This Toronto team is not one you can take lightly. The foot needs to be on the gas at all times if the Cs wish to advance and play the Miami Heat.
If they don’t finish with the same or greater intensity in which they start their games with, then this will undoubtedly be their last game of the 2019-20 season and, with that, it’ll be bye bye bubble.
It’s as simple as that, folks!
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 19:49:28 GMT -5
I can't believe there's a scouting report on the refs now.
|
|
|
Post by kyceltic on Sept 11, 2020 19:49:55 GMT -5
Good luck, my fellow posters!! I know you want them to win, as much as I do!
|
|
|
Post by sfbosfan on Sept 11, 2020 19:54:57 GMT -5
I know we won the reb & points in the paint battle in all the games I think but especially the last. Watching the Clippers who were up by 12 now only up by 2. They have 13 threes to 6 threes but Denver winning the reb stat small only 38-36 but are 38 to 28 pts in the paint.
Yup, I know the battle of 3s will be critical but if it is close we need win the Reb, Points in the Paint and fewer TOs balance,
Very confident but still anxious. We are the better team so let’s prove it. I would not be bored like in game 5 we rode a 10+ point lead the whole game.
|
|
|
Post by quagmire on Sept 11, 2020 19:57:16 GMT -5
Watching warm ups on the pregame. Good to see Marcus Smart working on his left hand. Hopefully that means he is prepping to drive the ball with both hands. Not sure how I feel about Kemba yet? Does he answer the bell like game 5 or choke like game 6? Hope to see some liberal substitutions by Brad so we have some fresh legs down the stretch. Give Langford and Waters a couple minutes to keep Kemba and JB/JT fresher. Give Time Lord more minutes so Theis is fresher in the 4th. I see a defensive slugfest, Close game throughout (+ - 8 puts throughout) and ultimately a 97-90 Celtics Victory. LETS GO C’s!
|
|
|
Post by sfbosfan on Sept 11, 2020 19:58:09 GMT -5
WOULD YOU BELIEVE SINCE MY PREVIOUS POST JUST MOMENTS AGO DENVER IS UP 94-88 !!!
|
|
|
Post by quagmire on Sept 11, 2020 20:03:33 GMT -5
Jeepers I show the game on TNT, but they showing the last 5 mins of the Clips game! Any alternate channels?
|
|
|
Post by sfbosfan on Sept 11, 2020 20:06:46 GMT -5
Jeepers I show the game on TNT, but they showing the last 5 mins of the Clips game! Any alternate channels? Game should probably not start until 6:15 ?
|
|
|
Post by quagmire on Sept 11, 2020 20:11:56 GMT -5
Jeepers I show the game on TNT, but they showing the last 5 mins of the Clips game! Any alternate channels? Game should probably not start until 6:15 ? hopefully the schedule shows 9:00 EST start time.
|
|
|
Post by quagmire on Sept 11, 2020 20:12:18 GMT -5
PS big 3 by Michael Porter!
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 20:13:02 GMT -5
I know we won the reb & points in the paint battle in all the games I think but especially the last. Watching the Clippers who were up by 12 now only up by 2. They have 13 threes to 6 threes but Denver winning the reb stat small only 38-36 but are 38 to 28 pts in the paint. Yup, I know the battle of 3s will be critical but if it is close we need win the Reb, Points in the Paint and fewer TOs balance, Very confident but still anxious. We are the better team so let’s prove it. I would not be bored like in game 5 we rode a 10+ point lead the whole game. Totally agree! I'm also expecting Kemba to rise to the occasion.
|
|
|
Post by quagmire on Sept 11, 2020 20:13:31 GMT -5
Michael Porter Jr is a clutch player!
|
|
|
Post by sfbosfan on Sept 11, 2020 20:14:56 GMT -5
Clippers were up 16 and lost. Still up 3-2 in series and should win it but I do not see them beating the Lakers despite Leonard & George basically vs LeBron & Davis. What this means is it is essential we win tonight & of course Miami & beat the Lakers ourselves!
|
|
|
Post by fierce on Sept 11, 2020 20:15:25 GMT -5
Clippers are toast!
That's why I think if the Celts win this Game 7, it's on to the Finals and the Celts become the "Champions Of The Bubble".
|
|