NBA Conference Finals Thread

[temery]

Nm

 

[Matrim55]

Celtics in the last 5 minutes of games, separated by 5 points or less in the playoffs so far:

• 3-0 record
• 134.4 ORTG
• 96.9 DRTG
• 37.5 Net RTG
• 3.33 AST/TOV ratio
• 63.8 true shooting

The reason it's so good is b/c they've avoided iso-ball and are instead running their offense. Look at game 3 -- the Jaylen dunk, Jrue and-1 and Al 3 all came off of zoom actions. Even the missed Tatum lay-up with 10 seconds left came off of a high screening action instead of an iso, and then Tatum did the right thing by getting downhill and going all the way to the hoop. He just missed the lay-up (which, to be fair, was a difficult finish).

When they run their actual stuff they're great in the clutch. When they don't they suck. It's been this way forever.

 

[Giddyup5]

How high is Luka on all your lists? And if Dallas wins this year can break into top 12-15? Crazy to think he is only 25.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

How high is Luka on all your lists? And if Dallas wins this year can break into top 12-15? Crazy to think he is only 25.

It’s hard to say because it’s so early. He doesn’t have any awards outside of the all-stars and all-NBA’s yet either.

He probably should’ve won MVP this year and if they win a championship they’ll probably owe him one next year. Man almost averaged a 35 point triple double.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Celtics in the last 5 minutes of games, separated by 5 points or less in the playoffs so far:

• 3-0 record
• 134.4 ORTG
• 96.9 DRTG
• 37.5 Net RTG
• 3.33 AST/TOV ratio
• 63.8 true shooting

The reason it's so good is b/c they've avoided iso-ball and are instead running their offense. Look at game 3 -- the Jaylen dunk, Jrue and-1 and Al 3 all came off of zoom actions. Even the missed Tatum lay-up with 10 seconds left came off of a high screening action instead of an iso, and then Tatum did the right thing by getting downhill and going all the way to the hoop. He just missed the lay-up (which, to be fair, was a difficult finish).

When they run their actual stuff they're great in the clutch. When they don't they suck. It's been this way forever.

 

[storrsroars]

Watching Nembhard in this series, I have to think some team is gonna take a flier on Newton. Pretty much only saw him in tourney games with Zags, but don't recall ever thinking, "That's an NBA guy".

 

[superjohn]

Watching Nembhard in this series, I have to think some team is gonna take a flier on Newton. Pretty much only saw him in tourney games with Zags, but don't recall ever thinking, "That's an NBA guy".

He's a huge surprise.

 

[Drew]

Need Indiana and Minnesota to win a game or two a piece so we don’t go ten days with no basketball

 

[Yardigan]

How high is Luka on all your lists? And if Dallas wins this year can break into top 12-15? Crazy to think he is only 25.

To do what he does is phenomenal...with that physique....unbelievable

 

[nomar]

Celtics in the last 5 minutes of games, separated by 5 points or less in the playoffs so far:

• 3-0 record
• 134.4 ORTG
• 96.9 DRTG
• 37.5 Net RTG
• 3.33 AST/TOV ratio
• 63.8 true shooting

The reason it's so good is b/c they've avoided iso-ball and are instead running their offense. Look at game 3 -- the Jaylen dunk, Jrue and-1 and Al 3 all came off of zoom actions. Even the missed Tatum lay-up with 10 seconds left came off of a high screening action instead of an iso, and then Tatum did the right thing by getting downhill and going all the way to the hoop. He just missed the lay-up (which, to be fair, was a difficult finish).

When they run their actual stuff they're great in the clutch. When they don't they suck. It's been this way forever.

Let's see what happens in the last 5 minutes but, man, this has been hard to watch. This whole series has kind of been hard to watch for me as a Celtics fan despite being up 3-0. Maybe I'm too spoiled as UConn fan...

 

[storrsroars]

Wow, the Pacers suck at crunch time.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Wow, the Pacers suck at crunch time.

That’s what happens when you have to go to Andrew Nemhard in the clutch.

Might be one of the worst conference finals teams of all time.

 

[nomar]

Wow, the Pacers suck at crunch time.

They were bad. The Celtics played with poise but they also played terrible offense down the stretch and got bailed out by their defense and the Pacers' inability to convert in the stretch.

Tatum really needs to step it up against Dallas. This isn't going to cut it.

That has got to be the least impressive sweep in NBA playoffs history. But we're in the Finals and that's what matters.

 

[HooperScooper]

Let's see what happens in the last 5 minutes but, man, this has been hard to watch. This whole series has kind of been hard to watch for me as a Celtics fan despite being up 3-0. Maybe I'm too spoiled as UConn fan...

Celtics easily could have lost 3 of the last 4 games but there's something to be said for doing what you need to do down the stretch each time.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

They were bad. The Celtics played with poise but they also played terrible offense down the stretch and got bailed out by their defense and the Pacers' inability to convert in the stretch.

Tatum really needs to step it up against Dallas. This isn't going to cut it.

That has got to be the least impressive sweep in NBA playoffs history. But we're in the Finals and that's what matters.

In general I don’t know if there’s ever been an easier path.

It’s not the Celtics fault of course. But having 3 close games with the Pacers, two without their best player, doesn’t inspire confidence against a very battle tested WCF team.

 

[Scoe]

I hate to be that guy but you kind of have to question Haliburtons toughness sitting out 2 must win games at home. The NBA does have to do a case study on these calf injuries btw. Celtics did what they had to do though they out clutched the Pacers.

 

[Matrim55]

They were bad. The Celtics played with poise but they also played terrible offense down the stretch and got bailed out by their defense and the Pacers' inability to convert in the stretch.

Tatum really needs to step it up against Dallas. This isn't going to cut it.

That has got to be the least impressive sweep in NBA playoffs history. But we're in the Finals and that's what matters.

Man I dunno. Indy's not amazing but I think there's a very good chance they're much better than they get credit for. They made it to the IST final, they smoked the Bucks, they wore out a tough Knicks team and they didn't lay down and die in the East finals.

They've got three ball-handlers (Halliburton, Nembhard, McConnell), they've got two wings who can guard and shoot (Nesmith & Sheppard), two 4s who can shoot (Siakam & Toppin) and a stretch 5 who can protect the rim & shoot (Turner). They're a really well-built team for this era, and I'm guessing they win 52ish games next year.

 

[nomar]

Man I dunno. Indy's not amazing but I think there's a very good chance they're much better than they get credit for. They made it to the IST final, they smoked the Bucks, they wore out a tough Knicks team and they didn't lay down and die in the East finals.

They've got three ball-handlers (Halliburton, Nembhard, McConnell), they've got two wings who can guard and shoot (Nesmith & Sheppard), two 4s who can shoot (Siakam & Toppin) and a stretch 5 who can protect the rim & shoot (Turner). They're a really well-built team for this era, and I'm guessing they win 52ish games next year.

Halliburton’s been out the last 2+ games. He’s awesome. If the Celtics twice beat Indy on their home floor with Halliburton I’d be impressed.

 

[nomar]

Celtics easily could have lost 3 of the last 4 games but there's something to be said for doing what you need to do down the stretch each time.

Absolutely. I didn’t love some of the shots down the stretch but these guys don’t get tight.

 

[IndyLives]

Complete dominance by the C's. Sweeping the best and arguably the deepest offense in the league is impressive, especially on their home court. Bring on Kyrie!

 

[temery]

Celtics easily could have lost 3 of the last 4 games but there's something to be said for doing what you need to do down the stretch each time.

They win the close game. I've heard that's important.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Man I dunno. Indy's not amazing but I think there's a very good chance they're much better than they get credit for. They made it to the IST final, they smoked the Bucks, they wore out a tough Knicks team and they didn't lay down and die in the East finals.

They've got three ball-handlers (Halliburton, Nembhard, McConnell), they've got two wings who can guard and shoot (Nesmith & Sheppard), two 4s who can shoot (Siakam & Toppin) and a stretch 5 who can protect the rim & shoot (Turner). They're a really well-built team for this era, and I'm guessing they win 52ish games next year.

They beat the bucks without Giannas and Dame and a Knicks team that played without OG for most the series and lost Brunson in game 7.

This was a first round team in a normal playoff. The East has been about who’s the healthiest.

 

[huskyfan224]

I hate to be that guy but you kind of have to question Haliburtons toughness sitting out 2 must win games at home. The NBA does have to do a case study on these calf injuries btw. Celtics did what they had to do though they out clutched the Pacers.

They have Myles Turner at Center. I would start there, guy got owned by 6’4 Derrick White all series

 

[HuskyHawk]

Man I dunno. Indy's not amazing but I think there's a very good chance they're much better than they get credit for. They made it to the IST final, they smoked the Bucks, they wore out a tough Knicks team and they didn't lay down and die in the East finals.

They've got three ball-handlers (Halliburton, Nembhard, McConnell), they've got two wings who can guard and shoot (Nesmith & Sheppard), two 4s who can shoot (Siakam & Toppin) and a stretch 5 who can protect the rim & shoot (Turner). They're a really well-built team for this era, and I'm guessing they win 52ish games next year.

Halliburton’s been out the last 2+ games. He’s awesome. If the Celtics twice beat Indy on their home floor with Halliburton I’d be impressed.

Highest scoring team in the NBA, 2nd most per 100 possessions (to Boston). Only team over 50% for the year. By far the most FG made per game. Most assists per game. Most points in the paint. They are a lot more than just Halliburton. Lots of dynamic scorers on that team and they play very fast.

That said, the defense and rebounding isn't great, or even good. I know he's a great player but Halliburton wouldn't have changed the series outcome. If KP was healthy these games wouldn't be close.

 

[nomar]

Complete dominance by the C's. Sweeping the best and arguably the deepest offense in the league is impressive, especially on their home court. Bring on Kyrie!

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