Weekly NBA Thoughts

As a Celtics fan I have to admit it is weird being undefeated this far into the playoffs compared to recent years but I know that this team has talent that when gelled together right, is capable of being the best team in the league. To continue to do well and win in this series the Celtics need to adapt to the game plans of stopping Giannis well also playing team basketball on the offense end.

(https://www.lineups.com/articles/milwaukee-bucks-boston-celtics-2019-nba-playoff-preview/)

The result of game one was a 112-90 victory for the Celtics over the Bucks. This game was a very enjoyable one to watch. The Celtics controlled the game from the tip by playing a great team game. The had a team attack towards stopping the Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo lead by Al Horford’s amazing play. They also had an amazing offensive game filled with ball movement and great shooting.

(https://www.celticsblog.com/2018/4/12/17230898/tale-of-the-tape-boston-celtics-vs-milwaukee-bucks-2018-nba-playoffs)

Kyrie lead the team with team with 26 points followed by Horford’s 20 and Jaylen Brown’s 19. The more impressive stat is holding Giannis to 22 points well keeping every other Bucks player below 16 points. Another thing that benefits the Celtics is that one night Kyrie, Horford, and Brown could each have 20 points and then the next game it could be Tatum, Hayward, and Morris.  Irving, Tatum, Horford, Morris, Brown, Hayward, Rozier, etc. The Celtics depth is amazing and I am very excited to continue to watch their journey towards banner 18.

(http://www.celticslife.com/2010/12/celtics-deja-vu-23-5.html)

After watching the completion of round one for the Celtics today I wanted to break down the games that were played this week. The Celtics won the fourth game of the series against the Indiana Pacers today to complete the sweep. Having previously written about game one (Celtics 84 – Pacers 74) I will now dive into Games two through four.

Game number two was another hard-fought complete game by the Celtics where they defeated the Pacers 99-91. This game saw Kyrie Irving being his normal playoffs self and scoring 37 and being complemented by a 26-point performance from second year player Jayson Tatum. This game was a very even game in terms of statistics and visual performance. It was won because of the heart and grit that the Celtics played with.

(https://www.12up.com/posts/6297670-jayson-tatum-sucking-up-to-kyrie-irving-won-t-keep-him-with-celtics)

Game number three was a very balance game for both teams but ended in a 104-96 win for the Celtics. The Celtics had a great game from top to bottom and saw all but one player score and five out of the nine players in double digits. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 23 points followed by Irving 19, Tatum 18, Horford 16, Morris 11, Rozier 9, Hayward 6, and Baynes 2. This was matched by a very similar performance by the Pacers but ultimately the depth of the Celtics over powered the Pacers hustle.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp3ofNk-J8A)

The fourth and final game ended with the Celtics winning 110-106 over the Pacers. This game was very close but ended with a feeling of joy when the final buzzer sounded, and the Celtics had completed the sweep. The Celtics were led by Gordon Hayward who scored a team-high 20 points in the win.

(https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/gordon-hayward-wants-be-serenaded-daddys-always-happy-chants)

The Celtics now rest and await to see the results of the Bucks and Pistons game tomorrow evening. The Bucks are looking to close out the Pistons tomorrow to win the series as they are up three games to zero. I look forward to the rematch from last year against the Bucks and I can’t wait to watch more of the other games in the first round until then. I also look forward to the potential for the East second round series to be Celtics vs Bucks and Raptors vs 76ers.

Being a very big Boston Celtics fan, I figured I would write about game #1 of their playoff run for this post. I just finished watching the Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 84-74. After a rough first half the Celtics bounced back to take control of the game and coast in for the win.

One thing that has always played a factor for any Celtics team going into the playoffs is that no matter the talent on their team or their opponent, the home crowd’s energy will give them a chance. Just watching a game when the Celtics play at home or actually being there live, you can really feel the energy and the history of the team and even as a fan in the crowd you are pumped up like you’re in the game.

The Celtics all played a very well-rounded game but the contributions from Marcus Morris and Kyrie Irving really helped their cause in winning the game. Marcus Morris carried the team in the first quarter with 12 of his 20 points and then Kyrie helped close out the second half with 20 of his own points.

(https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/kyrie-irving-eye-out-marcus-morris-neck-questionable-celtics-game-vs-mavericks)

The Celtics without Marcus Smart in Game 1 took some time to really find themselves on the court and it took until the second half to have the team defense kick in. Smart has such an impact on the Celtics defense and usually locks up the other team’s best player and makes the big impact play that helps kick the team’s intensity up to play for the win.

I think for game two in order for the Celtics to win they will need to continue to feed off of the crowd’s energy, take better care of the ball, and make the most of the shots they are given. I know that without a doubt the Pacers will come out and play hard, so the Celtics just need to match that intensity. Today it was Morris and Irving, in Game 2 it could be any number of their great players who step up and have a big game. I look forward to watching them play on Wednesday!

(https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-pacers-playoff-schedule-dates-times-first-round-series)

In honor of Dwyane Wade potentially retiring within the week or within the month, I figured now would be a good time to honor the all-time great shooting guard with a top 3 moments of Wades career, in my opinion.

1. Championship #1

I believe that the best moment in Dwyane Wade’s incredible career was his first Championship victory. I think that because it was his team that played through him, and it was his first ring, that this would be the most remarkable thing he accomplished. With averages of 34.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.7 spg, and 1.0 bpg, Wade either lead or was top 2 in almost every countable stat. Through achieving these stats Wade also gain the accolade of Finals MVP and jump started the rest of his amazing career in only his third season in the league.

(https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article84765582.html)

2. Championship #3

Coming in at number 2 on Wade’s top moments of his career is ring number three. Although I’m sure all three of Wade’s rings are special to him, I chose the third as the second biggest highlight of his career because not only was it his final championship, but he also has a special relationship with the number three. I think it was also as special because of who he one this ring with. Playing alongside Udonis Haslem, another Miami Heat Legend, and LeBron James and Chris Bosh, lifetime friends, Wade was able to cap off his amazing career with a third championship to add to his long resume of accomplishments.

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/564287028284670058/)

3. Game winner against the Chicago Bulls

This moment of Dwyane Wade’s career is number three on my list because this was a game that I watch live as a kid. When I think of Dwyane Wade this is the first moment that comes to mind. At the end of a double overtime game tied 127-127 without the ball, Wade made a remarkable steal and raced down the court to jump and make a one-footed running jump shot to win the game. This, even as a kid, had me jump out of my seat and filled with excitement. It was one of the best games and best ending of a game I’ve ever seen. Ending with 48 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks Wade further cemented his legend in Wade county in Miami and in the NBA.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxS170BsZPU)

I have really enjoyed watching Wade’s career and it is sad to see it come to an end. I just hope that whether he makes playoffs or not to end this season, he can have one more special game to put an end to his hall of fame career.

This week I am going to discuss the upcoming NBA Playoffs. With the playoffs just weeks away I figured I would look at a playoff picture that has become clearer.

As of right now the standings are as followed:

East

1. Bucks 2. Raptors 3. 76ers 4. Celtics 5. Pacers 6. Pistons 7. Nets 8. Heat

-In the hunt: 9. Magic and 10. Hornets

West

1. Warriors 2. Nuggets 3. Rockets 4. Trail Blazers 5. Jazz 6. Clippers 7. Spurs 8. Thunder

So as of this date (3/31/19) the first-round match ups would be:

East

1v8: Bucks vs Heat, an easy win on paper for the Bucks but a veteran Heat team could push this series to 5 or 6 games.

4v5: Celtics vs Pacers, the series that length will be determined on who gets homecourt and ends in the 4th seed. I would take Celtics but could turn out to be an interesting series.

3v6: 76ers vs Pistons, 76ers have one of the best, but most inconsistent starting fives in the league. What should be a clean sweep for the 76ers could turn into a longer series from the inside dominant play from Pistons Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond.

2v7: Raptors vs Nets, a lot of NBA love to watch the Nets play but I see the Raptors being able to escape this series relatively easy.

West

1v8: Warriors vs Thunder, I see this going the Warriors way, but a Durant vs Westbrook matchup will always be entertaining.

4v5: Trail Blazers vs Jazz, I give the Jazz the edge in this series due to their incredible defense. I could see this series going either way and maybe even seven games. Losing Nurkic could be a huge impact on the Trail Blazers postseason success.

3v6: Rockets vs Clippers, I think the Rockets should handle this series easily but like the Heat in the East, I don’t think that the group of veterans on the Clippers are just okay with making the playoffs. Should be a very chippy fun series.

2v7: Nuggets vs Spurs, I believe this will be the best series no one is talking about or watching. The Nuggets are a team that is capable of running up the score, well the Spurs are never out of it when Gregg Popovich has talent on his roster. All I know for sure is not a lot of defense will be played in this series.

Now I will give you my early Playoff picks.

Round 1

East

Bucks over Heat (4-1)

Celtics over Pacers (4-2)

76ers over Pistons (4-1)

Raptors over Nets (4-0)

West

Warriors over Thunder (4-2)

Jazz over Trail Blazers (4-3)

Rockets over Clippers (4-0)

Nuggets over Spurs (4-2)

Round 2

East

Celtics over Bucks (4-3)

76ers over Raptors (4-3)

West

Warriors over Jazz (4-1)

Rockets over Nuggets (4-2)

Semi-Finals

East

Celtics over 76ers (4-2)

West

Warriors over Rockets (4-2)

Finals

Warriors over Celtics (4-3)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyHtjh2xJ6s)