It was really controlled.
I get that but remember that Robert Williams has been playing hurt and missed some games. He's a big part of what they do defensively. He was terrible last night so he's obviously still hurting. And Marcus Smart has been hurt and missed a few games. So it's not like the Celtics haven't had their share of injuries also.
Yeah, I think @superjohn assumes too much. Middleton was a big loss for the Bucks, but Bobby Portis was mostly outstanding early in the series and was the key to the Bucks winning game 1. Game 3 was Boston blowing a game they led throughout. Series shouldn't have even gone 7. There's no way to know who wins if Middleton plays.
My statement shouldn't be controversial, Bucks didn't have by far their second best player for the entire series, Middleton is one of the best closers in the NBA. Take Jaylen Brown off the Celtics for the entire series and they aren't going to fare so well.
Only in that you said they wouldn't have won, which we obviously don't know. I agreed Middleton is a big loss, but they played Portis instead, who is in some ways a tougher matchup for Boston. Herro for the Heat, not so much. His D is weak and would likely have limited his minutes anyway. Williams was a bigger loss to Boston than Herro, because when healthy he takes Bam away.
I don't think they'll get swept but I have low expectations going into the series. I just don't see the Celtics winning 4 games over the Warriors.
but the bucks didnt play portis instead of middelton, they played pat connaughton and grayson allen instead of middleton, that's a gigantic drop off in talent
Probably.
I really like this particular Celtics team, since January, when they finally embraced what Ime was telling them. I watched them fail against the Heat a few years back, making back shots, too much ISO, lazy D. Then Philly steamrolled them last year. Now, it's a more mature, likeable group of guys who play very tough defense and (mostly) move the ball on offense. Tatum's big change is his passing has been tremendous. You double him and he makes you pay. Rob Williams has really improved in all phases. Smart told people he was a PG and nobody believed him until halfway through this year when Ime finally let him do it. He still shoots too much, but he's averaging 7 assists over his last 10 games. Al is a timeless warrior, always a class act (with an attractive sister as a super Celtics fan). Not sure who would root against him. Brown is mercurial, but plays hard on both ends. Four of those guys were drafted by the Celtics. It's not a rent-a-team like the current Lakers or Nets.
i dont foresee tatum v green being a common matchup in this series. draymond is the starting PF and plays C when they go small. tatum is the starting SF and usually remains the SF when the Cs go small, they just swap out r williams for g williams and shift horford to C.
Assume Wiggins will draw the defensive assignment on Tatum, not that they won't switch. Some Celtics fans suggesting Rob Williams won't play as much, but that Theis might as he can reasonably defend Green. On the other hand, playing Horford and Rob puts a lot of stress on the GS interior D and defensive rebounding. They don't have much length with their regular lineups.
I guess I should have put my money where my mouth is. Went to the game tonight and after that hot start the Celtics were not very good. Too many damn turnovers. Tatum just isn't ready for prime time. Maybe this series will be good for him in the long run. We'll see.
