Tag Archives: Al Horford

Cavs, Celtics Set for Showdown in Game 7

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Well, here we are folks.

The two greatest words in sports: Game Seven. The Celtics versus the Cavaliers. LeBron James will get his shot at an eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals as the two teams square off in Boston on Sunday, May 27th. The Celtics will do all they can to prevent a fifth straight loss at the hands of LeBron and reach the Finals for the first time since 2010.

Cleveland Takes Game 6

LeBron James put on a clinic in Game 6, dropping 46 points to go along with 11 rebounds and nine assists. The Cavaliers displayed a team effort in the victory, getting major contributions from the bench, which outscored Boston’s bench 36-23. For the first time in the series Cleveland looked like a deep team, with four players scoring in double figures. George hill scored 20, Jeff Green contributed 14, and Larry Nance added ten and seven rebounds.

The three major factors in the game was the rebounding discrepancy, missed free throws, and Al Horford being a no-show. Boston was out-rebounded in the game by 13, 44-31 and gave up a whopping 15 offensive boards. In Boston’s three wins in the series they have out-rebounded Cleveland, and in the three losses it was the other way around. This will be a major factor going into Game 7. The Celtics also missed nine free throws, going 11-20 from the charity stripe.

Al Horford will need to play significantly better in Game 7 if his team will have any hopes of a victory. He produced six points on eight shots, and often looked out of sorts on the floor. He focused more on the ball than his man, giving up several offensive rebounds that resulted in second chance opportunities for the Cavs.

Kevin Love

The major storyline as Game 7 approaches is the announcement that Kevin Love will not play. After a collision with Jayson Tatum in the first quarter of Friday’s game, Love was sidelined with a concussion. Love is averaging 12.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in the series. He has been most impactful in Boston, averaging 17.6 points and 14.3 rebounds in the three match-ups.

Love has been the second leading scorer for Cleveland in these playoffs. His high IQ passing ability and double-double threat will surely be missed for the Cavs. He is also one of the most battle tested veterans on the roster as an NBA champion back in 2016.

Cavalier Role Players

With the All-Star big man out, Cleveland will need their role players to step up now more than ever. George Hill understands the circumstances and the need to fill a bigger role in Game 7.

“It’s gonna be tough,” Cavs point guard George Hill said. “No team has won there in these playoffs so far. We’ve got to try to be the first.”

LeBron James is taking a very level-headed mindset into the game. He said he doesn’t put “too much added pressure” on himself in Game 7’s.

“I just go out and play my game,” he said. “It’s just basketball for me. I know what I’m capable of doing.”

Boston’s Mentality

The Celtics have tied an NBA record as they have won ten straight games to start the postseason. The team has outscored their opponents by an average of 11.5 points per game thus far.

In spite of their recent success the team knows they are in for a battle.

“It’s about just winning the game now,” Marcus Smart said after Game 6. “It’s not going to be pretty. You got to be able to get down and get dirty… You have to be ready for a dogfight.”

Terry Rozier is confident going into Game 7, but understands LeBron James is going to give the Celtics all they can handle.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, first and foremost. Obviously, we came up short tonight. But we need the whole city of Boston to be behind us. We know LeBron is different than a lot of other guys, but we’ve got to get the job done. That’s no excuse, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Boston has fed off of the energy their fans bring to the Garden each game, and they expect more of the same in Game 7.

“It’s going to be electric,” Horford said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to Sunday.

Three Takeaways from Celtics’ Game 4 Loss

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The Celtics will head back to Boston after a rough two game trip to Cleveland, where the team dropped Games 3 and 4 to the Cavs.

Game 4 was much tighter than Game 3, where the Celtics were blitzed from tip-off to the final buzzer. Cleveland set the tone early, building a 16-point lead in the first quarter. All signs were pointing to another Cleveland shellacking, but the scrappy Celtics did a good enough job to hang around the last three quarters. Along the way the Celtics managed to outscore Cleveland in each of the final 3 frames.

In the end LeBron proved to be too much, as the Cavaliers continued to answer every time Boston gave any indication of a run. James finished the night with a game high 44 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

These are three key takeaways from this game to focus on as the series shifts back to Boston:

Impact of Kyrie Irving’s Absence

If Game 4 proved anything, it’s that the Celtics could really use their star point guard. While the team has had a remarkable postseason run thus far, going up against arguably the greatest basketball player to ever step foot on a basketball court while battling for Eastern Conference supremacy has proven to be a whole new level of challenge. The area Boston is severely struggling with in this series is the ability to create offense consistently.

Kyrie Irving is one of the unique talents in the NBA that can create offense for himself and score efficiently and in bunches. In 60 games played this season Irving averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He shot 49% from the field and 41% from three. He led the team in offensive rating (108.7) and was eight percentage points higher in usage (30.7) than the second highest on the team (Morris).

As great as the team has been at scoring as a collective unit, the deeper into the postseason the more important it is for guys to get their shots off consistently. A guy like LeBron, or Kevin Durant, for example. Someone who can consistently give their team 30 to 35 points a game. Someone who can take over down the stretch of a tight contest and will their team to victory. Kyrie Irving is that guy for the Celtics, and it is showing now more than ever how much he is missed.

Can’t Win with Just Defense

Look at Game 4, for instance. As gritty as the team was in the match-up, they struggled to score consistently when they got big stops down the stretch. Boston deserves all the credit in the world for what they do on the defensive side of the ball. It isn’t a secret that they are in the position they are in being two wins from the NBA finals primarily because of their defense. But defense is only half of the equation.

The fact of the matter is Boston does not have a guy on their roster that can get his own shot efficiently. Tatum will get there, but he is only a 20-year-old rookie. Often during Game 4 and especially late in the game guys relentlessly attacked off of isolation plays, penetrating only to be met at the rim by 2-3 Cavaliers. More often than not those plays resulted in either missed layups or blocked shots. Cleveland finished the game with eight blocks, most of which came off of these types of plays.

Kyrie Irving would have unlocked Boston’s offense in this series had he been healthy. Boston may still have the defensive capabilities to scrape by, but there is no doubt having such a gifted offensive talent in Irving would have changed the dynamic of this series.

Rebounding

The implementation of Tristan Thompson into Cleveland’s starting lineup has proven key in this series, particularly on the boards. Cleveland out-rebounded Boston by 11 in Game 3, and followed the performance up with a +10-rebounding margin in Game 4. The Celtics gave up eight offensive rebounds in Game 3, and nine in Game 4. The combination of Thompson and Love have together dominated Boston in this area. The duo combined for 21 rebounds (five offensive) in Game 3 and 21 (four offensive) in Game 4.

Cleveland finished the season as the fifth ranked offensive team in the league. If Boston is going to retake control of the series moving forward, they can not continue to allow such a potent offense to get second chances.

With just over two to play in the third quarter of Game 4, Boston had just cut the deficit to eight on a mini run. They forced a missed layup from LeBron, but Larry Nance Jr. hauled in an offensive rebound, hit a quick put back plus a foul. The very next possession off of a Marcus Smart turnover they force another miss, this time from George Hill. That miss was yet again rebounded by Nance, who was fouled in the act and sank two free throws. The lead had ballooned back to 13, and after a quick 5-footer from Lebron Cleveland had flipped the script on the Celtics.

Grab Some Boards!

Right after a Rozier three to start the fourth, the Celtics again cut the lead to ten. On the ensuing possession Love tried to answer, missed and yet again the Cavs snag an offensive rebound. They scored on the second chance opportunity as Cleveland continued to pummel the Celtics on the boards.

The Celtics are a rebound by committee team. They do not have a player who can dominate on the boards like Tristan Thompson can. Staying disciplined and being attentive to where their match-ups are when a shot goes up is crucial to changing their fortunes in the rebounding department.

Despite their recent issues on the boards, Boston has proven they can compete with Cleveland. They out rebounded the Cavs in both Games 1 and 2, and in turn won the contests. They have the ability to pull it off, it will just take a more concerted effort moving forward with Thompson playing a bigger role in the series.

Comforts of Home

Given the team’s road woes, if the Celtics lose Game 5 in Boston, the chances of them stealing one in Cleveland to force a Game 7 is slim to none. The Celtics are a perfect 9-0 at home this post season, and an abysmal 1-6 on the road. A large amount of the disparity falls on offensive output. The team has produced 103 points per game at home to only 94 on the road.

Boston is a young team. Outside of veterans Al Horford and Marcus Morris, the team is very inexperienced in dealing with playoff environments. It is one thing coming in as first, second, or third year players competing on home court in front of 18,000 fans all rooting in your favor. However, It is a whole different story dealing with the opposition feeding off of a hostile crowd.

Role Players

Role players play better at home. The age old saying rings true with this Celtics squad. Take Terry Rozier, for example. He has been night and day when it comes to home production versus road. In nine home games he is averaging 20 points per game on 45.55 shooting. Over seven away contests he is averaging 13.2 points on 35.4% shooting. In Game 4 he shot 6-15 from the field and 3-9 from three.

Fortunately for the Celtics the series is now down to best two of three, with Boston in possession of two home games. Though the road concerns do not bode well for the team if they are to make the NBA Finals, if they can take care of home court they will be able to finally knock off LeBron James and end his reign on the Eastern Conference.
It all starts in Game 5, a must win contest for the Celtics.

The pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals will take place tonight at 8:30 PM in TD Garden.

LeBron, Cavs Send Message with 116-86 Pummeling over Celtics

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With their backs against the wall, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals 116-86. Cleveland dominated from start to finish, led by LeBron’s 27 points and 12 assists.

The biggest story in this game was the play from Cleveland’s supporting cast. As the saying goes- role players play better at home. George Hill set the tone early, scoring 11 first quarter points on his way to a 13 point, three rebound game. A total of six Cavaliers scored in double figures. Kevin Love produced 13 points and 14 rebounds. Tristan Thompson was also big on the boards, grabbing seven to go along with ten points. J.R. Smith finally got hot, knocking down three of four three pointers. Kyle Korver added 14 points off the bench.

Cleveland knocked down a staggering 17 threes on 50% shooting. It seemed as if nobody on the team could miss. The Cavs dominated on the boards, ripping down 45 rebounds (eight offensive) to Boston’s 34.

Ty Lue mentioned the team’s increased energy and effort, stating, “We challenged everyone, just to be aggressive and understand the game plan.”

Cavs Bring Back Memories of Last Year

Game 3 way eerily reminiscent of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics simply had no answer for LeBron and could not withstand the constant barrage of threes. Boston settled for too many tough jumpers, shooting an abysmal 39% from the field and 27% from three. The team made as many three pointers in the game (six) as Cleveland had in the first quarter. Carelessness with the ball led to a lot of easy buckets for the Cavs, as Boston turned the ball over 12 times.

Al Horford was asked about what went wrong postgame and he responded, “I can tell you right now off the top of my head there was a lot of breakdown defensively- it’s something we have to address, and be better at on Monday if we want to have any chance of winning.”

Al Horford did not attempt a field goal in the first quarter. He finished the game with seven points and seven rebounds. Terry Rozier chipped in 13 on yet another poor shooting game on the road, going 5-12 from the field. There wasn’t a first quarter breakout from Jaylen Brown this time around, as he was nowhere to be seen in this one. Brown didn’t register his first point until eight minutes left in the 2nd quarter. He ultimately finished with ten for the game.

Resiliency for Boston’s Youth

The one bright spot for Boston in Game 3 was the effort of Jayson Tatum, who refused to give up early on. When nothing was going for the team, Tatum relentlessly attacked the basket, getting to the free throw line repeatedly. He finished the night with a team-leading 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting.

After the game Brad Stevens said about the Celtics, “They always respond. This will be another challenge to respond to.”

The Road Ahead

Cleveland delivered a momentum-changing punch right to the gut of the Celtics. If they intend to steal a game on the road they will need to punch right back in Game 4. The Celtics will need to bring the energy and physicality for Game 4 and play with a much higher sense of urgency. If anything, this game should serve as a wake up call for the team.

Game 4 is set for Monday night at 8:30 pm on ESPN. LeBron and the Cavs will look to tie this series up, as the Celtics hope to head back home with an opportunity to close it out on their home court.

Al Horford: The Celtics’ Pillar of Success

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In a league full of high-flying athletes, dazzling handle displays, flashy passes, and awe inspiring highlight real dunks, it is inevitable that Al Horford would be overlooked.

When people watch the Celtics, they see Kyrie Irving performing magic with the ball. They see Jaylen Brown slam home highlight reel worthy breakaway dunks. Fans might catch a Jayson Tatum finesse move at the rim finished off with a rim-rocking jam. They will also see plenty of big time Terry Rozier three pointers.

What they won’t necessarily see is everything Al Horford does to make these things happen. Fans won’t see Al set a hard screen on Kyrie’s man to give Irving space to make his move. They might miss him ripping down a rebound and heaving an outlet pass to a cutting Brown for a dunk. No one sees him set a pick and pop and run it to perfection, freeing up Tatum for his drive to the rim. They also won’t pay attention to the pass Horford makes out of a double team in the post to set up Rozier for the dagger three pointer.

The Man Behind the Curtain

It is not always what you see on the stat sheet that makes Al Horford special. Make no mistake- Al Horford is the most important player on a Celtics team two wins away from the NBA Finals.

When Gordon Hayward went down early, Horford was there. When Kyrie went down and was announced out for the remainder of the year, Horford was there. In a season full of injuries, on a team with four returning players and a roster full of inexperienced talent, Horford has been the savvy veteran for his teammates to rely on. He has provided the Celtics with a stabilizing force through the turmoil, and kept the motor churning smoothly at the heart of the team’s success.

Boston may not have escaped Milwaukee in the first round if not for Horford’s abuse of the Buck’s smaller defenders. He forced Embiid to the bench in crunch time minutes in the 76ers series. He was too quick to guard outside of the key, and too deadly of a shooter to leave uncontested. His help-side defense on Ben Simmons snuffed out the brightly burning flame that once was the promise of Philadelphia’s season.

The Celtics wouldn’t be up 2-0 on the Cavaliers if Horford didn’t dominate Kevin Love on both ends of the court in Game 1, and follow up the performance by taking over down the stretch in Game 2.

Al is a Leader

One of the things that makes Al Horford unique is his ability to fill whatever roll Brad Stevens asks him to fill. Some nights he might be a role player. He’d willingly take a backseat to the Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum show by setting up screens, making passes, and even running point. Other times he may be asked to be the focal point of the offense. He’d run constant pick and rolls and be fed in the post against undersized and outmatched defenders.

In the playoffs this year Horford has been the team’s veteran leader and star.

Playoff Al

Al Horford is averaging 17.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 57% from the field in 14 playoff games. He has a true shooting percentage of 65.4%, which is up from 57.5% in the regular season. He has been notably more aggressive when attacking the rim, throwing down momentum-shifting dunks and flexing his muscles for the crowd.

The team has taken notice to Horford’s increased production and energy on the court, particularly at the end of games. After Game 2 against Cleveland, Jaylen Brown was asked to comment on Al Horford’s production down the stretch.

“That’s why Al gets paid the big bucks,” Jaylen Brown said. “We lean on Al in those tough moments. And he really went to work. Hitting some big free throws, made some big post-ups, hit the 3. Al, when it gets close to crunch time, we look towards Al to make some big plays.”

Take this play, for example.

This play came right after Horford was intentionally shoved to the ground by J.R. Smith. J.R. was called for a flagrant 1 on the play, sending Horford to the line. Horford went on to make Cleveland continue to pay in the last few minutes to put the game on ice.

The job is not yet finished for Horford and the Celtics. The team is preparing for their next major task: going into Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. The team will look to steal at least one of the two and come back to Boston to close the series out.

Whatever the future has in store for these Celtics as they continue their quest for banner 18, without a doubt Al Horford will be at the heart of it all.

Celtics

LeBron Struck First, but the Celtics Got the Last Laugh

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Grit, determination, and a never quit attitude. Those are traits the Celtics have embodied all season long, and everything the team exemplified in Game 2.  After a hard-fought battle the Boston Celtics pulled away late for a 107-94 victory and a 2-0 series lead. LeBron’s monster game proved not quite enough, as the Celtics attacked the Cavaliers with a huge team effort.

The Cavaliers started the game with revitalized energy after inserting big man Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup in place of Kyle Korver. Thompson did a good job of locking down the pick and roll early on. He managed to disrupt the C’s offensive flow, forcing them into some tough looks.

LeBron James poured in a whopping 21 points in the first quarter, the most points in any quarter in any playoff game of his career. He added four threes on 8-13 shooting, but the rest of the Cavs shot 3-11 for a total of six points in the frame. LeBron finished the night with 42 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Bringing LeBron to a Halt

If it wasn’t for the valiant efforts of Jaylen Brown, the Cavs could have ran away with it early. Jaylen led the charge with 14 points in the first quarter, finishing with a team high 23 to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.

Jayson Tatum picked up where Jaylen left off. He started the second quarter with nine quick points to keep the team afloat as LeBron continued to stay hot. Towards the end of the quarter, LeBron took a hard shot to the jaw and had to leave the floor to get checked out. He was quickly cleared to play and returned before the end of the period. Meanwhile, the Cavs built their lead up to double digits for the first time in the series. Marcus Smart made some big plays with under a minute left in the quarter and the Celtics trimmed the Cavalier lead to seven.

It Takes a Village

Terry Rozier was the hot hand in the third. He overcame a rocky start by producing 14 points on his way to an 18 point and five rebound night. The momentum started to shift in favor of the Celtics, as the team dominated the period in the open floor. They barraged the Cavs with 36 points in the quarter while creating havoc on the defensive side of the ball. Marcus Morris was huge, hitting a tough and one with 5:14 to play in the quarter to tie the game up. He took a moment to wave his hands in the air, gesturing the garden faithful to their feet as the crowd roared with en electric energy.

Less than a minute later Marcus Smart canned a three from the top of the arch to give the Celtics their first lead since 3-2. It became a lead they would not relinquish.

Marcus Smart was absolutely crucial in the second half. He provided an adrenaline shot of energy that infected the whole team. Smart gave the Celtics all the momentum necessary to continue pouring in basket after basket, relentlessly attacking the teeth of the Cavalier defense. He finished with 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds, four steals, and a team high +/- of +21.

Playoff Al

Smart’s efforts must have particularly affected Al Horford. After an eight point and five rebound fourth quarter, Al put the Cavaliers to rest. He finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the game.

Horford’s biggest moment came with just under four minutes to go. After Al set a pick and rolled for an alley-oop. J,R. Smith gave him a shove in the back on the way up. Consequently, Smith got issued a Flagrant 1 on the play. Horford hit both free throws and on the ensuing possession tacked three more to put the Celtics up 12. All hopes of a comeback were all but over for the Cavs.

It was a team effort fueled victory for the Celtics. Four different players stepped up and led the team in scoring in each quarter for the game. The team also did a great job of handling the ball, giving up only eight turnovers to the Cavaliers’ 15.

The Cavs gave LeBron a bit more help in the game, mostly from fellow All-Star Kevin Love, who produced a 22 point and 15 rebound double double. Tristan Thompson finished with an eight point and seven rebound effort, and Kyle Korver gave the team 11 points off the bench.

A True Competitor

After the game Brad Stevens gushed about Marcus Smart and what he brings to the table for the team. “He’s as tough as they come. A true competitor. He matches his intensity with a physical toughness. We are really glad he is on our team”. Marcus Smart continues to be the hot glue guy for this Celtics team. The Celtics have gone an impressive 8-2 since inserting him back into the lineup. He seems to never fail to make the big plays down the stretch of games, not afraid of any moment and willing to bump and scrape to win every possession. 

Stevens finished his press conference stating that the team will, “have to be tougher and even more resilient as we move to Cleveland”.

History will be on the their side, as the team is 37-0 after leading a best of seven series 2-0.

Game 3 will take place Saturday night at 8:30 pm. The Celtics will look to take a commanding 3-0 lead as LeBron will do anything to claw the Cavaliers back into the series.

NBA Will Not Take Disciplinary Action Against J.R. Smith

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The NBA announced recently that Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith will not receive further discipline after shoving Al Horford to the ground during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Play in Question

With just under four minutes to play Al Horford set a pick and rolled for an alley-oop. J.R. Smith gave Horford a shove in the back on the way up, and Al went tumbling to the ground. Smith got issued a Flagrant 1 on the play.

It was blatant that the shove was no accident, and in an aggressive manner. Horford was completely airborne when J.R. made his decision. He thrusted his arms into Al’s body, jolting him forward out of control.

After the game, J.R. openly admitted to the shove, stating, “It was a good call. I blatantly pushed him.”

The Fallout with J.R. Smith

What kind of example is the NBA trying to set here? Two of the most dangerous positions a player can get injured in is getting undercut and having their feet taken out (like Gordon Hayward), and being shoved while airborne. Not only did Smith commit a hostile act, but he openly admitted to doing so!

If Horford had gotten injured on the play, one must wonder if the NBA would have decided to take further disciplinary action on the incident. The league must focus on the action that happened, not on the result. It sets a bad public example by letting such a heinous act go without any consequences, even if Horford is fine after the incident.

J.R. Smith is averaging two points on 12% shooting in the Eastern Conference Finals. It will be interesting to see how he performs as the series progresses.

 

Game 3 will take place in Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night at 8:30 pm.

Boston Celtics: The New Favorites?

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From Ashes to New

The Boston Celtics have overcome adversity with great defense and rebounding. Is this enough for them to be called title contenders?

Just five minutes into the season, All-Star Gordon Hayward went down with a potential season ending injury. The Boston Celtics fought hard against the Cavs in their first game but lost by three. Then they lost the subsequent game to the Milwaukee Bucks. It looked like it was going to be a long season, then something sparked. The team didn’t lose another game after that until November 20th.

As the Celtics went on a sixteen game win streak, their notable weaknesses from last season withered away. Rebounding and defense. As last season limped to an end, centers Al Horford and Amir Johnson were struggling to grab more than six boards a game. It feels like Hayward’s injury forced the team to mesh together quickly. There are only four players from last year’s squad in addition to all these new guys that have helped the Celtics grow stronger. They are playing younger and quicker basketball.

Before the season started, the Celtics were tied for the third best chance to make an appearance in the Finals along with the San Antonio Spurs at 12/1. Since then they have fluctuated, but the odds have gone towards their favor at 10/1. You can follow along with the Celtics odds, as well as betting on the team here.

The Competition

Per usual the Western Conference appears stacked this season. The Golden State Warriors have some competition with the Houston Rockets and potentially the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs might be able to make their usual run as long as the injury bug leaves them alone in the second half of the season. The Eastern Conference looks like a dog fight for second place. For the first time in almost a decade LeBron James’s team is closer to ninth place than first. The Cavs are currently third in the East but are riding six games behind first place. They are also ranked almost last in defense efficiency at twenty-eighth. No team has made the playoffs with a ranking as poor as that.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Eastern Conference is shaping up to be as expected. Teams like Toronto, Washington, and Milwaukee are all within contention of making playoffs. Adversely basement dwellers like New York, Chicago, and Brooklyn are not surprising anyone.

With the All-Star break and trade deadline quickly approaching the Celtics have room to improve. With the disabled player exception under Danny Ainge’s belt this team has options. They could trade for a player or sit comfortably until the buyout deadline. No matter what moves are or aren’t made, this team is a favorite to win the 2018 NBA Finals.

YOUNG C’S CAN SPRINT, BUT NBA IS A MARATHON

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REGRESSION TO THE MEAN

After a blazing hot start to the season, the Celtics have come back down to earth a bit in the month of December. Having lost just two games in both October (first 2 games of season) and November, they’ve hit that mark in December less than two weeks in. Not long ago, it seemed like this team might not lose another game. Now, the reality of the long haul that is an NBA season is starting to set in, as the Celtics try to navigate injuries, tough stretches of the schedule, and players hitting potential walls. The latter is highly characteristic of youthful players, in which the C’s have many.

LONG SEASON

That reality smacked everyone in the face after a blowout loss to the then 5-20 Bulls. Even rookie sensation Jayson Tatum had a truly poor all-around game for seemingly the first time in his career. In the next game against the Nuggets, the C’s gave up a season high 118 points. Tatum did bounce back with the swagger of a vet, however, contributing in his uniquely important role for a rookie. Back to his usual self, he made selective but big plays all game long, and they found a way to win. Kyrie also once again showed what he can do in the clutch. Still, you have to wonder how far a team can go relying on late-game heroics with such consistency.

This team has fought through all kinds of adversity already at this point in the season and come out on top. One of the biggest things they haven’t been through is tough stretches with multiple losses. The team started the season in a sprint, but are going to get a tough lesson that a NBA season is a marathon by the end of the season. Losing is something these guys haven’t done much together as a collective. It will happen more than it has, and it will be the biggest test they face yet.

INJURY BUG

Obviously Gordon Hayward has missed all but 5 minutes of the season. Fortunately, his surgery went well, and recovery sounds ahead of schedule. He got to shed his walking boot this week. There are still no expectations for him playing this season, but it would be great to see him get some game action so he can hit the offseason full steam. It doesn’t need to be much, but it would be good for the future if he is 100%.

Paul George’s recovery from an equally gruesome injury is the ideal model. He was brought back in a limited role, playing about 15 minutes a game and sitting out back-to-backs. He appeared in just 6 games at the end of the season, but came back and had his best year statistically to that point the next season. George attributed much of his success to already having his confidence from getting game action the previous year. If Gordon does miss the remainder of the regular season, I wouldn’t expect him to be thrust into playoff action, even if he is 100%.

Us C’s fans were spoiled by the hot start, but it turns out these guys aren’t quite superhuman. They have been plagued with injuries all season, and it might finally be catching up to them. Kyrie has missed time here and there. Horford sat out against the Nuggets after banging knees in the Bulls game. The worst news comes from a recurring issue, with Marcus Morris expected to miss extended time due to the knee that has kept him out of several contests.

TOUGH MONTH

Before this season, there were more back-to-backs, but also more 2 and 3 day breaks. Now, teams are playing almost every other night in an attempt to lessen back-to-backs. Kyrie has talked about the difference in the grind this year, and didn’t have many good things to say about it. Less than a month into the season, he was talking about everyone already being banged up.

When the team finally got a 2 day break going into the 76ers game, everyone from players to staff raved as if it was a gift from God. Having played almost every other day since the season started, the Celtics could use a break. Unfortunately, things will get worse before they get better. They have two back-to-backs before Christmas and another right after before finally getting another rare two-day break.

CRY NOW, LAUGH LATER

Take that gift out and that’s over two straight months of playing every other night, littered with multiple back-to-backs. If the Bulls game was any indication, it is finally starting to catch up to them. For literally the first time all season, the Celtics never seemed to be fully in the fight. After all the comeback victories this team has put together in the young season, it never felt like they were going to go on a run against one of the leagues’ worst teams. They came out flat, and that’s how they finished.

The C’s could be in for a couple more of those flat games, as the schedule ramps up in a time where they desperately need some extended off time. The schedule does lighten up a bit in the new year, especially after the all-star break. Even if it results in some mid-season woes, this team is trying to make a deep playoff run. The regular season schedule will play in their favor in the long-term. They will get the tough stretches out-of-the-way early. They won’t have as many games later in the season, but they will be playing higher quality opponents. The annual road trip out west should be a good opportunity to get ready for the playoffs. More practice time ahead of the postseason will be key as well.

 

Kyrie Irving

Boston Celtics’ Ups and Downs – Week 8

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Winning weeks have become commonplace for the Celtics now. Boston rounded out a 4-1 home stand with convincing wins over Milwaukee and Dallas. A loss in San Antonio on national TV ended a nice four-game win streak, but the Celtics bounced back to beat Detroit on Sunday afternoon. There are lots to love about the Celtics right now, so let’s take a look at some Ups and Downs from Week 8 action.

The Ups

Masked Kyrie Continues to Roll

Kyrie may have been happy to finally get rid of the mask against Detroit on Sunday, but he certainly can’t be happier with the roll he has been on since wearing it. Kyrie has upped his efficiency and been on a scoring tear since donning the mask on Nov. 14. The trend continued this past week. Kyrie averaged 26.7 points in four games last week, and, with the exception of a tough match-up against Avery Bradley on Sunday, shot over 54 percent from the field in each game. Although a game-tying three rimmed out against the Spurs, Kyrie has been dynamic on the offensive end and has done everything the Celtics need of him.

Al Horford, Celtics’ Renaissance Man

A common complaint from Celtics fans about Horford is that he doesn’t always have the biggest impact on the offensive end. He can be a reluctant scorer and defer to others more often than he should. But what Horford does better than anyone on the Celtics is find balance in his game. If the team needs him to score the ball, he will, like when he dropped 27 on the Bucks in October. If everyone else is in a groove offensively, Horford has no problem sharing the ball and dishing out a career-high 11 assists.

Plenty of people will say that Kyrie unlocked Horford. In reality, Horford’s complete game unlocks and enhances the play of all of those around him. His playmaking ability frees up Kyrie to score at will. His defense, along with Aron Baynes, allows perimeter players to gamble with assurance that they have help in the paint. Horford’s game is a quiet one and can go overlooked, but take him off this team and you will quickly realize his value.

Jayson Tatum Continues to Impress

Jayson Tatum

Ask any basketball media member, NBA expert, or casual fan, and 99 percent of them will say they never expected this level of play from Tatum. If it weren’t for Ben Simmons, Tatum would be the favorite for Rookie of the Year. Tatum has had many jaw dropping stats this season. He’s leading the NBA in three-point percentage (52.3 percent) and has scored in double digits for 16 straight games. As if being a major contributor on the team with the league’s best record at 19-years old wasn’t enough, Tatum is showing he’s more than capable of performing under pressure.

Tatum has become one of the most effective fourth quarter players on the Celtics. He’s averaging 4.1 points per game in the fourth quarter, his most in any quarter. While some fans may not be impressed, considering Isaiah Thomas averaged double digits in the fourth last season, Tatum’s shooting splits will surely drive the point home. He’s shooting 66.7 percent from the field, 71.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 91 percent from the free throw line. Tatum hasn’t been relied upon to score in volumes late in games, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to give him a few more chances.

The Downs

Avery Bradley, Known Kyrie Stopper

Avery Bradley

Celtics fans are familiar with Bradley’s ability to harass Kyrie. In the past Boston loved it, but now not so much. This is more of a long-term concern, but nonetheless something to keep an eye out for. In two games against Bradley and the Pistons, Kyrie averaged just 17 points on 36 percent shooting. If the Celtics find themselves with a playoff match-up against Detroit, Bradley’s defense could become a factor. Will it be enough to turn the tides in Detroit’s favor? Most likely not. But it could make things a lot more difficult than they have to be.

Possible Shooting Slump?

The Celtics were riding a hot streak on offense coming into last week’s play. In four games against Indiana, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Phoenix, Boston shot at least 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. They continued that trend against Milwaukee to start the week, then dropped off in the final three games. Such a small sample size could be nothing to worry about, but it’s worth monitoring. The Celtics had been making their way up the league ranks in team offense over the past few weeks. Consistency in that regard will be important in keeping them atop the Eastern Conference.

Jaylen Brown’s Decision Making

With Horford, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier on the team, Brown’s lack of playmaking isn’t too much of a concern. What is a concern, thought, is Brown’s decision-making. Brown is always going to be one of the more athletic players on the floor. He can get to the rim at will, but sometimes that has become a problem. Whether trying to make a move 1-on-1, or trying to bully his way through multiple defenders, Brown has a tendency to force things. That leads to bad shots and turnovers. If he lets the game come to him he should be fine, but some development in that area would be nice.

Al Horford

Boston Celtics’ Ups and Downs – Week 6

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Week six of the NBA season was a busy one for the Celtics. A four-game week saw another impressive come-from-behind win in Dallas, a gritty victory on the road in Indiana with a depleted roster, and the unfortunate end to one of the more improbable win streaks in the league. The Celtics have bounced back from the end of the streak with two straight wins, but they need to clean some things up if they want to start another winning streak. Let’s jump in and check out the Ups/Downs!

The Ups

Aggressive Al Is Not so Average

Al Horford’s shooting came back to earth after a scorching week. And with the drop in efficiency, his scoring numbers decreased as well. In three games against Dallas, Miami, and Orlando, Horford had just 15 points on 6-20 shooting. But, in typical Horford style, he stepped it up against Indiana when it was needed.

With Jaylen Brown (personal) and Marcus Morris (rest) inactive against the Pacers, Horford upped his aggression on the offensive end and gave the Celtics some much-needed points. He knocked down threes and roasted defenders with some Olajuwon-esque post moves to the tune of 21 points on 8-15 shooting, his most shots in a single game this season. Horford will undoubtedly give what the game needs from him, but a more aggressive Al is never a bad thing.

Kyrie Irving

A More Efficient, and Dangerous, Kyrie

Over the first 17 games, Kyrie shot over 50 percent from the field just four times. He shot at least 50 percent from the field in all four games this past week. Chalk it up to early season struggles or the weight of a franchise on your shoulders, but Kyrie has certainly turned his shooting numbers around. Kyrie messed around and shot 59.5 percent from the field this week, an even more impressive stat considering both the difficulty and volume of shots that he takes. A 47-piece in the overtime win against Dallas highlighted the week, but Kyrie getting more comfortable in the offense should have Celtics’ fans drooling.

Improved Play from Celtics’ Bench

The Celtics’ bench were atrocious coming into this week. Ranked near the bottom of the league in bench points, Boston was in need of a few sparks. Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart weren’t shooting well, but the Boston reserves turned it around. Rozier decided to never miss a shot again, scoring 40 points on 15-20 shooting over the past two games. Smart found a shooting rhythm against Indiana after being inserted into the starting lineup. Semi Ojeleye has been more aggressive on offense and Aron Baynes has proven to be a very capable bench scorer. Consistency is key, and with five straight games in Boston, hopefully the second unit can find their groove.

The Downs

Slow Starts Are Starting to Catch up to the Celtics

Miami Heat

To be fair, the Celtics have been abnormally good at coming back from early, or late, deficits. They did it against the Mavericks and Pacers this week alone. But how long can that last? Their winning streak ended against Miami when they couldn’t dig themselves out of a tough start, and you have to imagine that they won’t be able to keep up their heroics all season. The comebacks are entertaining, but I have thought Brad Stevens would much rather just play well for the whole game instead.

The Celtics Need to Shoot Better (Duh)

Despite having the best record in the league to date, the Celtics are ranked 27th in field goal percentage. The Celtics aren’t the Golden State Warriors. They can’t sleepwalk through half of a game and then just flip the switch and score a million points. Their comebacks have been because of their defense. If the defense starts to slip, these comebacks will be fewer and farther between. This team will be scary when their shots start to fall, they just need to get their first.

Free Throws, Free Throws, Free Throws

I’m going to keep harping on this, mainly because this is my weekly column AND I WILL WRITE ABOUT WHATEVER I WANT TO WRITE ABOUT, DAD! Wait, sorry that got away from me a little bit there. Regardless, it fills me with rage to watch the Celtics miss free throws. They have moved up to 14th in the league in free throw percentage, but they are still leaving too many points at the charity stripe.