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Post by cole on Feb 29, 2020 14:31:13 GMT -5
The Celtics try to LEAP to a win over the small-ball rockets. You can bet Robert Williams will do his part (leaping that is) for the 12min or so that he sees the floor.
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Post by kyceltic on Feb 29, 2020 14:56:05 GMT -5
I'm expecting a big game out of pretty boy Smart today!!
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Post by kyceltic on Feb 29, 2020 18:49:18 GMT -5
Raptors play at Denver tomorrow! Go Nuggets!
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 19:05:40 GMT -5
3 keys to victory over the Houston Rockets by Mark Nilon
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
Lock in on perimeter defense
It’s no secret that the Houston Rockets love to shoot the 3. Historically, Mike D’Antonio led offenses tend to rank at the top of the league in perimeter scoring/ shooting. 2019-20 hasn’t proven to sway away from this trend — especially since they shifted towards this vertically challenged lineup.
On the season, the Rockets lead the league in 3-point attempts with 44.2 per game. For these past 11 outings with this unit of Westbrook, Harden, Eric Gordon, Robert Covington and PJ Tucker, the team has managed to up this number to 48 attempts per game and have increased their scoring averages to 120.8 (second in the NBA).
If the Boston Celtics wish to come away from tonight’s game victorious, perhaps the most important thing they need to key in on is their perimeter defense.
Luckily for the C’s, the team as a whole ranks fifth in the association when it comes to opponents 3-point field goal percentage, allowing an average of only 34 percent.
The team lives and dies by the 3 — as made evident by their 37.9 percent shooting in wins and 30.4 percent shooting in losses. If Boston can hold them in check form downtown, it would only aid in their quest to take down the soaring Rockets.
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Attack the rim
Despite the successes that Houston’s small-ball lineup has found over the past 11 games, it is certainly not a unit void of flaws. Being that the tallest person in the starting lineup (Robert Covington) is 7-8 and their “technical” center (PJ Tucker) is 6-5, one could probably guess what one of the team’s biggest struggles are: protecting the paint.
Over their11 game stretch, the team is allowing 53.8 points to come in the paint per game (fifth worst ranking in the NBA) and are allowing a conversation rate 63.9 percent on 34.5 attempts per game from within five-feet of the rim.
Often times, when playing a team like Houston, opponents like to try and beat them at their own game — fight fire with fire, if you will. With the fact that Houston runs such a small unit — especially down low — attacking the rim with their length could prove to be quite successful.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward have all shown the capability of excelling when churning strong to the rim. Couple this with the way Daniel Theis has been performing of late — 16.8 points on 57 percent shooting since coming back from the All-Star break — and you have all the more reason to challenge the Houston Rockets’ interior defense.
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
Jayson Tatum must continue his excellence
Sure, this one seems simple, but it’s without a doubt the most important key to having a shot at winning this game. In their last outing, the Boston Celtics rolled out a lineup that was completely intact and void of injuries… and they still wound up losing.
With Walker’s availability being up in the air for tonight’s outing due to his lingering knee ailment, a victory will be that much harder to attain against this scorching hot Houston squad. However, while it’s without a doubt harder, it is by no means an impossibility, specifically with the way Jayson Tatum has played as of late.
Since returning to action, the first time All-Star has been playing at an entirely different rate that some have considered to be superstar-level. Over the past four games — all without Walker — Tatum has put up stellar averages of 34.5 points, 7.8 boards and 1.3 blocks per game on 57 percent shooting from the field and 56 percent shooting from 3.
They are 3-1 during this span, with their only loss coming in — as mentioned in the first slide –controversial fashion.
Yes, basketball is a team sport, so we would be remiss to not state that the team as a whole has played quite well during this successful stretch. However, the charge every night has been led by Tatum’s excellent play.
Above all else, Jayson Tatum needs to keep up this level of play if the Boston Celtics wish to come away from this challenging matchup against the Houston Rockets.
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Post by cole on Feb 29, 2020 19:26:42 GMT -5
It's no secret. If they don't want Houston to win, they won't give Harden 15 free throws.
Or, if they call it like the last one Marcus could foul out in 20min.
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Post by Cabutan on Feb 29, 2020 20:13:49 GMT -5
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Post by Cabutan on Feb 29, 2020 20:14:04 GMT -5
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Post by Cabutan on Feb 29, 2020 20:26:43 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 20:45:36 GMT -5
and he set the record for turnovers today ... Ugh!
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 20:47:37 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 20:49:11 GMT -5
11-9 Celtics
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:09:36 GMT -5
You gotta be kidding me... Time Lord is back, and Stevens is putting Grant in over Rob?
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:10:23 GMT -5
Strong quarter by Smart and Brown. C's leading...
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 21:10:35 GMT -5
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Post by quagmire on Feb 29, 2020 21:10:58 GMT -5
Decent 1st quarter.
Smart playing lights out (as usual)
Tatum appears to be forcing his offense.
Great team D!
Kemba losing points with me as a “leader”
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:11:36 GMT -5
Brown for a pull up.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:12:59 GMT -5
Tatum hits his 1st 3
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:13:41 GMT -5
Brown for a runner off glass.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:14:23 GMT -5
Tatum w/ the left hand layup. C's by 14. Timeout Houston.
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Post by fierce on Feb 29, 2020 21:15:15 GMT -5
This Houston small ball experiment just won't work.
They're just too small.
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 21:17:31 GMT -5
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:18:18 GMT -5
Nice steal and play by Brown.
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Post by Admin on Feb 29, 2020 21:19:33 GMT -5
The Eye gets Harden for a charge ...
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:21:08 GMT -5
Why is Grant getting minutes over RWill? Is this nationally televised game having sway over coaching decisions?
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 29, 2020 21:21:31 GMT -5
Tatum hits a 3.
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