NBA 2023-24

[HalfSmokes]

Who guards Luka?

[Natsinpwc]

Who guards Luka?

We will find out in 12 days! 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Who guards Luka?

4 guys. They will throw different looks at him. Not that it will work. They need at least Horford plus another big. Tatum will pick him up sometimes as will White or Holiday.

Kyrie / Holiday will be interesting.

[imref]

Luka having fun tonight. Mavs by 29 at half.

[Natsinpwc]

Luka having fun tonight. Mavs by 29 at half.

I wonder if there will be a 3-0 NBA series comeback in my lifetime. Probably not.

[GataNats]

Luka is probably only at about 60-65 percent with that knee.   Getting a week off spells doom for the Celtics

[HalfSmokes]

I wonder if there will be a 3-0 NBA series comeback in my lifetime. Probably not.

Zach Lowe was talking about what it would take. Higher seed, so games 5 and 7 are at home and either a player returning from injury or a player getting injured was his guess about what it would take. I think maybe, there are teams reliant on an injury prone stars (Bucks, 76ers) that make it to the playoffs ever year and then have their star get injured during the playoffs

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I wonder if there will be a 3-0 NBA series comeback in my lifetime. Probably not.

was it last year that the Celts almost did it against Miami, or was it just a 3-1 that they took to 7?

[Natsinpwc]

was it last year that the Celts almost did it against Miami, or was it just a 3-1 that they took to 7?

Hmmm…..

[imref]

Boston making a statement early.

[GataNats]

Game one with that much lag time for both teams doesn’t mean much.   Game two will tell the tale of the story

[imref]

Tingus 1, Gafford 0

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Game one with that much lag time for both teams doesn’t mean much.   Game two will tell the tale of the story

A series doesn't really start until a team wins a road game or both teams have 2 wins. Dallas should be perfectly happy if they win one of the first two.

Big difference last night was the 3 point shooting. 3 pointers are notoriously hot and cold. I'm glad Hauser showed up and White had stretches. I was impressed with the shot blocking, not just when Porzingis was in. Both teams played some disruptive defense for stretches leading to layups and dunks. Nice game from Holiday, too. Brown is playing with huge motivation after missing all NBA and not making he all-defensive team. Limiting Kyrie is necessary because there's very little anyone can do with Luka.

[imref]

Dan Hurley to the Lakers

[Natsinpwc]

Dan Hurley to the Lakers

I hope he likes taking orders from Lebron.  Of course at that money he should.

[imref]

Luka questionable for game 2 with a throat contusion.

[Five Banners]

Luka questionable for game 2 with a throat contusion.

Wow, that was unexpected. Although, one might be inclined to take this apparent popup of a seemingly heretofore undisclosed injury with the same amount of salt as the thought Kidd’s comments about Brown having no ulterior motives behind them.

[imref]

ESPN says he’s playing. Knee is hurt too

[Natsinpwc]

ESPN says he’s playing. Knee is hurt too

I think the knee has been hurt for a while.

[Natsinpwc]

Jaylen Brown > Jayson Tatum.

Celtics just have too much talent up and down the lineup.

[Five Banners]

Jaylen Brown > Jayson Tatum.

Celtics just have too Mitch much talent up and down the lineup.

Like the late 70s bullets

[GataNats]

Luka is by far the best player in this series.   Tides will change in Dallas.   Tony Brothers needs to be cast out to sea

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Jaylen Brown > Jayson Tatum.

Celtics just have too much talent up and down the lineup.

The knock on JB is he is a worse ballhandler. I don't think JB rebounds as well as JT. Brown may be a better defender, but JT is stronger. They both are streaky as heck as outside shooters.

I loved White and Holiday last night. Hard not to love Holiday. White's second half was an example of the Celts just continuing to throw up 3s until they start falling.

No question Luka is going to get his points. The Celtic defenders make him work, but in the end he gets his shot off and mostly hits. The Mavs are going to need 50+ from him, or 70 from him and Kyrie. That can happen. 35 and 15 won't do. When you aren't as overall talented, then your stars have to carry you to win 4 of 7.

[imref]

Hurley changes his mind. Staying at UConn

[Natsinpwc]

Hurley changes his mind. Staying at UConn

Can’t blame him. He’s got a job for life at a place that will worship him.