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Post by Admin on Apr 16, 2023 16:59:47 GMT -5
Game #2 questions:
1) Can Rob have another game like he did Saturday in Game #1 given he's had 2-3 days rest? Ed Pinckney is the other Celtic to do this:
2) Can Jaylen play as well again and tighten up his handle given the hand cut opened up ... will they have a solution w/o re-stitching the cut?
Brown put up some impressive stats in Game 1 against the Hawks. He finished the night with 29 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and one steal on 12-of-23 shooting from the field and 2-of-6 shooting from behind the three-point line.
In addition to his offensive play, Brown also brought it on the defensive end. His one steal came on the opening play of the game, and according to Tatum, it helped set the tone for the Celtics on that end of the court.
Brown admitted after the Game 1 win that his finger is still an issue. “It’s a constant adjustment making sure I get a good grip on the ball,” Brown said. “I had six turnovers tonight, so I definitely got to clean that up.” During the game, he left for the locker room briefly when the cut split open. He received five stitches on the finger and missed practice during early postseason prep.
“He was trying to figure out how to play with it at first. He had to change his Bandaid, I believe,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I thought he played well. I thought his shot selection was good. I thought he was intentional on the defensive end. I thought he did a great job on being locked in on both ends of the floor.”
3) Will Marcus Smart stay healthy this playoffs and be able to stay as effective as he was in Game #1?
Smart was back to his DPOY-worthy self as the guard was seemingly everywhere on the court in the Celtics’ Game 1 112-99 win over the Hawks. Smart also came up with huge defensive plays, including late as the C’s fended off a Hawks comeback. Boston will need Smart at his best if it hopes to make an NBA Finals run — Saturday was a prime example of Smart’s impact. It also helps that the guard is finally healthy.
“It allows me to be able to box out the bigs,” Smart said of being injury-free. “To be able to go get rebounds. To be able to help Al (Horford) and Rob (Williams). To be able to help (Derrick) White, Jaylen (Brown) and Jayson (Tatum) on that end. To be able to run the show defensively and get the guys where they’re supposed to be.”
The Hawks shot just 38.8% from the field as their stars had quiet nights. Trae Young finished with 16 points and eight assists but shot 5-for-18 from the field. Dejounte Murray had 24 points and six assists, though he was just 10-for-25 shooting.
Of course, defense is a team effort. White hounded Young early on in the game. Williams made a significant impact from the moment he came off the bench. But Smart gets his credit because he’s the leader on that end, which is also why he earned the DPOY award last season.
“He has the presence to be the quarterback on the defensive end where it puts us, we’re able to change coverages, change matchups,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said. “When he’s doing that, our defense is special — and it starts with him. I think he brought it both physically and mentally on the defensive end tonight.”
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Post by Admin on Apr 16, 2023 22:23:44 GMT -5
Mazzulla elected to go with his second-year sharpshooter over the more proven Grant Williams against Atlanta to once again lean into the offensive upside the group has shown with Hauser all year. A lot of coaches may have gone with the more playoff proven veteran choice but the numbers this season showed that this was the right call, at least to start. Hauser did not make much of an impact in the box score but he did open up the floor more with his gravity for teammates throughout the first half. Mazzulla will surely tinker based on matchups for the rest of the postseason but this was the right chess move out of the gate.
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Post by rkarp1 on Apr 17, 2023 7:42:40 GMT -5
www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/04/joe-mazzulla-shines-in-first-celtics-playoff-test-with-savvy-tactics-in-game-1-win-over-hawks.htmlMazzulla elected to go with his second-year sharpshooter over the more proven Grant Williams against Atlanta to once again lean into the offensive upside the group has shown with Hauser all year. A lot of coaches may have gone with the more playoff proven veteran choice but the numbers this season showed that this was the right call, at least to start. Hauser did not make much of an impact in the box score but he did open up the floor more with his gravity for teammates throughout the first half. Mazzulla will surely tinker based on matchups for the rest of the postseason but this was the right chess move out of the gate. agree! Grant needs to stay ready. matchups will dictate, but he will be called on, and called often. 15 more to go. Grant will have a big role imo.
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Post by drewski6 on Apr 17, 2023 7:49:49 GMT -5
Agree! I think part of the reason why we dont see Grant at all is because the team just isnt enough scared of John Collins. I anticipate that if we play the Bucks, youll see at least some Grant sprinkled in, as that seems to be his primary role these days (keeping 4s or 5s who want to get inside, away from the hoop, and therefore shooting).
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Post by rkarp1 on Apr 17, 2023 8:41:57 GMT -5
call me crazy, but I think Atl is loaded, but will not go anywhere, ever, as long as Trae and Murray are on the team. too much talent on that team for the G's to dominate the ball. way too many misses. Trae non existent on D.
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Post by cole on Apr 17, 2023 9:00:40 GMT -5
Agree! I think part of the reason why we dont see Grant at all is because the team just isnt enough scared of John Collins. I anticipate that if we play the Bucks, youll see at least some Grant sprinkled in, as that seems to be his primary role these days (keeping 4s or 5s who want to get inside, away from the hoop, and therefore shooting). Also Gwill is more of a power, position defender, not a guy who guards the "rashard lewis's" of the nba power forward ranks.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2023 10:25:42 GMT -5
Don’t sleep on Grant Williams just yet Grant Williams was a DNP-CD in Game 1, but that will not be the case as the playoffs evolve. By RobbieHodin
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Things change quickly in the NBA Playoffs. One game, a role player plays 20 minutes. The next game, he’s a coach’s decision DNP. Another game, a team comes out in drop coverage. Next game, they play at the level of the screen.
Whether it be rotations, schemes, shot distribution, or any other adjustment, teams are bound to make modifications to their initial plans – both within a series and between them.
That’s what makes good coaches, well, good. They come out with gameplans that they think will be effective against a team, but that doesn’t mean they are tied to those decisions.
When things change during a series, a good coach will also change with them.
Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics’ version of these changes will likely involve Grant Williams. But, in this series, we might have to wait until garbage time to see Batman.
Why No Grant Against Atlanta?
The most important skill that Grant Williams brings to the table is his defense, but not all defenders are created the same. His strengths defensively most certainly do not reside on the perimeter against quick, small, and shifty guards and unfortunately for Grant’s minutes this series, that’s exactly what the Hawks have.
Trae Young and Dejounte Murray do most of the ball handling and creating for Atlanta, and they both thrive off of playing against slower–footed defenders who can’t keep up with their ability to get into the paint. Atlanta’s backcourt duo runs the most pick and rolls in the NBA; high screen and roll is the focal point of their offense and the way in which they get their guards going towards the hoop.
If Boston is in drop coverage – which was the primary scheme in Game 1 – the perimeter defender is tasked with fighting around the screen and attaching to the hip, which is tough for a brick house like Grant. You also can’t put Williams on one of Atlanta’s bigs, because he doesn’t bring the sort of vertical rim protection that Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu require on the glass and in the dunker spot.
As a result, Sam Hauser has overtaken Grant in the rotation. But just for now. Milwaukee Bucks (118) Vs. Boston Celtics (139) At TD Garden Photo by Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Never Too Early To Look Forward
I can guarantee you one thing: when we play the Sixers in the next round, Grant Williams will be a cornerstone of the bench unit.
Sure, Grant’s defensive repertoire is not sticking with small guards; his strength is holding his ground against big, strong, physical offensive players (players like Joel Embiid, and even Tobias Harris, who both happen to play for Philly).
In a dominant win over the Sixers earlier this season, Grant showed flashes of defensive stability against the likely league MVP. He’s able to take the first bump (usually elbow) from Embiid while still having enough core strength to be ready for the next fake. He’s quite frankly a really interesting defensive wrinkle that the Celtics will almost definitely throw at Philly. Philadelphia 76ers (99) Vs. Boston Celtics (106) At TD Garden Photo by Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Then, in a potential conference finals matchup against the Bucks, Grant would/should play a sizable role as well. The same reason Grant is effective against Embiid is why he’s maybe the best Giannis–stopper the Celtics have. The strength. The size. But, mainly, both of those tools combined with his ability to slide his feet and wall up is what makes Grant special against stars like Embiid and Giannis.
One More Thing
Grant getting phased out of the rotation can only mean his value on the NBA market should decrease. What was once looking like an infeasible salary to pay Grant in restricted free agency this summer could become more affordable should he continue to ride the bench this series.
Are the Celtics not playing him on purpose for this very reason? I’m not saying that. But, a cheaper future contract could certainly be an added benefit of lessening Grant’s playoff role. Just a thought.
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Post by dfries13 on Apr 17, 2023 11:47:25 GMT -5
take a look at Grants stats post all star game.
He's played less minutes shot only 41% from the floor and 34% from threes.
His defense has also taken a shot he gets called for a lot of fouls. All that crying came back to bit him in the ass.
The Greek and Embidd will destroy him in the playoffs
Grant of course will see some playing time during the playoffs. Next year he won't be here .
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Post by cole on Apr 17, 2023 11:53:57 GMT -5
take a look at Grants stats post all star game. He's played less minutes shot only 41% from the floor and 34% from threes. His defense has also taken a shot he gets called for a lot of fouls. All that crying came back to bit him in the ass. The Greek and Embidd will destroy him in the playoffs Grant of course will see some playing time during the playoffs. Next year he won't be here . I agree he has fallen out of favor and needs a change of scenery. I do think he'll be reasonably effective guarding those two. The reason I say it is because he historically has. But then, so did semi. You just need to be a fire hydrant. Well, he's not that good a matchup vs embiid cause embiid can shoot over him, but if Gianis shoots from anywhere over anybody, its a win for the defense.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2023 12:19:23 GMT -5
Would Ainge have any interest in a trade for Grant ... with 1-2 2nd rd pks included for one of their prospects?
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Post by DaCeltics on Apr 17, 2023 12:25:36 GMT -5
I think Mazulla is trying to bait Atlanta into trying to post up John Collins and Deandre Hunter, taking the ball out of the guards hands, makes them easier to defend.
That is my opinion on why Grant is not in the rotation. On top of the fact that the refs are on his ass for being such a constant bitch. Nothing like foul trouble to get them away from you.
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Post by dfries13 on Apr 17, 2023 12:46:42 GMT -5
Would Ainge have any interest in a trade for Grant ... with 1-2 2nd rd pks included for one of their prospects? Maybe but i doubt it.. Grant has reached his ceiling as a player the best we can hope for is a very late ist round pick from some dumb ass franchise like the Wizards. What scares me...His market or what he thinks is his market is about half of his worth..Not many teams will bite.. I see little interest from teams that are playing for the future. Hopefully some half ass contender picks him up for insurance. Hauser played because he hit threes. In April Grant only made 20% of his threes Hauser 43% Hauser is improving and has a upside he also doesn't make the offense stale like Grant. Grant isn't a PF or a SF just another mill of the run tweener...... Mazz gave him 0 minutes for a reason and it had little to do with fearing or not fearing Collins
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Post by dfries13 on Apr 17, 2023 12:49:58 GMT -5
I think Mazulla is trying to bait Atlanta into trying to post up John Collins and Deandre Hunter, taking the ball out of the guards hands, makes them easier to defend. That is my opinion on why Grant is not in the rotation. On top of the fact that the refs are on his ass for being such a constant bitch. Nothing like foul trouble to get them away from you. I think you have a point maybe two good ones...
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2023 13:20:58 GMT -5
I think Mazulla is trying to bait Atlanta into trying to post up John Collins and Deandre Hunter, taking the ball out of the guards hands, makes them easier to defend. That is my opinion on why Grant is not in the rotation. On top of the fact that the refs are on his ass for being such a constant bitch. Nothing like foul trouble to get them away from you.
Mazzulla shines in first Celtics playoff test with savvy tactics in Game 1 win
By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com
BOSTON — There were very few questions about a Celtics core that’s played together for half a decade entering Saturday’s Game 1 win over the Hawks. The same goes for new additions that are playoff proven (Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White). Instead one of the notable big picture questions involving this group for the postseason is rookie coach Joe Mazzulla.
The bench boss got his first taste of postseason basketball in the big chair on Saturday afternoon leading a team with title aspirations that has far more questions than usual when it comes to personnel. Everything from the starting five to the rotation and crunch time options were unknowns entering the first round, a rarity for a team that’s been so elite during the regular season. How Mazzulla handled these tough choices probably won’t matter as much against an inferior team like Atlanta but they will go a long way toward determining how far this team goes in their quest to get back to the NBA Finals.
With one game in the books, the returns were very good for Mazzulla as several strategic choices paid off for Boston.
Starting small: This was the most obvious choice with Derrick White getting the nod over Rob Williams but proved to be the right one immediately against an overmatched Hawks defense. Mazzulla leaned on finding maximum offensive spacing for his group and they responded with a 75 point first half before sputtering when the game got out of hand. White (24 points) helped the hosts reliably spread the floor and did a fantastic job preventing Trae Young from breaking out (5-of-18 shooting) in a nightmare outing for the Atlanta job. Mazzulla has liked this look all year long from a lineup standpoint and it delivered in Game 1.
Hauser over Grant: With just eight players seeing action on Boston’s deep bench it was no surprise to see a tightened rotation. However, Mazzulla elected to go with his second-year sharpshooter over the more proven Grant Williams against Atlanta to once again lean into the offensive upside the group has shown with Hauser all year. A lot of coaches may have gone with the more playoff proven veteran choice but the numbers this season showed that this was the right call, at least to start. Hauser did not make much of an impact in the box score but he did open up the floor more with his gravity for teammates throughout the first half. Mazzulla will surely tinker based on matchups for the rest of the postseason but this was the right chess move out of the gate.
Taking it to the paint: There is a time and a place for teams to rely on their 3-point shooting to win games but that shouldn’t be the case for the Celtics against a lackluster Hawks defense. Mazzulla took advantage of that weakness in Game 1 by pushing a gameplan that stretched the Hawks defense and allowed easy lanes to the rim for Boston’s top scorers. With 32 points in the paint in the first half alone, the Celtics managed to pile up easy buckets without relying on a hot shooting night from the perimeter.
Ultimately, Boston’s 112-99 victory was far from perfect. The team was very sloppy with turnovers and their offensive flow was lacking in the second half after running up a 32-point lead.
There will be plenty to work on during film sessions ahead of those fronts in Game 2 but from a tactical standpoint, this was a stellar start for Mazzulla this postseason. He’s put the pieces in place to ensure this is a short series for Boston with plenty to build upon moving forward.
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Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2023 16:27:07 GMT -5
Brown took the floor with his teammates during Celtics practice on Monday in preparation for Tuesday’s night contest against the Hawks and dealt with no restrictions according to Boston coach Joe Mazzulla. He also did not receive any stitches for the new wound after having five removed last week according to the coach after suffering the injury during a household accident watering plants.
The injury will likely linger at least a few more days after the wound was reopened but Brown does not think it would have much of an impact on his play.
www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/04/jaylen-brown-practices-after-aggravating-hand-injury-in-celtics-game-1-win.html
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Post by DaCeltics on Apr 18, 2023 15:19:25 GMT -5
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Post by petey62 on Apr 18, 2023 15:41:06 GMT -5
I ask for one thing.......that we play with max effort for 48 minutes. No letdowns.
There is nothing wrong with winning by 40!
I'd rather we keep our foot on the gas and THEN bring in Hauser, Pritchard and Kornet than to completely take our foot off the gas so ATL could reduce the lead down to 13 from 30.
If our starters want to step off the gas, bring in someone hungry like PP. Hauser is easy.....if his first few shots don't fall, leave him on the bench.
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Post by cole on Apr 18, 2023 16:17:52 GMT -5
So I have to watch this on my computer I guess
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2023 18:07:16 GMT -5
Q1: Celtics lineup change (Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Al Horford)
Hawks lineup change (De'Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray, Trae Young)
Hawks win tip and score 1st
JB a 3 from Al
Tatum finger roll ... 8-5 ATL
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2023 18:10:39 GMT -5
Al blocks Collins
Capela fouled by JT ... misses both
JB TOV
JB blocked by Capela
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2023 18:17:49 GMT -5
JB TOV (double dribble)
Tatum layup
Capela alley-oop ... 15-7 ATL
White a J from JB
TIME OUT CELTICS ... 17-9 ATL
Celtics lineup change (Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams III, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Al Horford)
Hawks lineup change (De'Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic)
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2023 18:20:33 GMT -5
White a floater
Rob the bunny from great pass by JB
ATL TOV
Celtics lineup change (Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown, Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Malcolm Brogdon)
Hawks lineup change (De'Andre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic)
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Post by fierce on Apr 18, 2023 18:21:43 GMT -5
JB already 3 turnovers and 2 of them were stupid passes.
This team is really stupid!
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Post by drewski6 on Apr 18, 2023 18:22:20 GMT -5
Going to hauser early, he has coaches conf
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Post by Admin on Apr 18, 2023 18:22:30 GMT -5
JB a steal ... JB a TOV
Rob off the glass from Brogdon ... 22-15 ATL
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