Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks. Baylor Scheierman and Luka Garza in the starting unit, along with Neemias Queta, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. Boston starts 0-5 on their shooting. Scheierman breaks the ice with two free throws. Baylor looks to be a keeper for Brad Stevens. With both Payton Pritchard and Nikola Vucevic coming off the bench, it appears Joe Mazzulla is still experimenting to find a solid 8-9-man rotation for the second half of the season and playoffs. Celtics hitting 1-of-7 on the long ball - not a good sign. Then it''s "Vooch" with a "3", But Boston is only 2-of-12 on threes. It's 35-24 in favor of NY at the end of the first quarter. Mazzulla once again goes to his 2-big combo of Queta and Vucevic for quarter #2, but Vooch goes out quickly with his 3rd foul. Scheierman with six boards and five assists midway through the second quarter. He can do a lot out there. Baylor is having a great game. Now up to eight rebounds and five ass...

 The Knicks lead the Pacers in the Eastern Semis 2-0, while the Celtics are 1-0 versus the Cavaliers. Should Boston meet New York in the Eastern Finals, fatigue may be an issue for Tom Thibodeau's crew, while Joe Mazzulla's team should be just fine. It all comes down to minutes . Thibodeau has J osh Hart, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby all logging more than 40 minutes-per-game in the post season, with Hart playing almost the entire game at 46.6 MPG. Not so the Boston Celtics. Mazzulla has Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White all playing more than 30 MPG, with Tatum leading the pack at 37.5 minutes/game. If Indiana bounces back and forces the series to six-or-seven games, fatigue can quickly become a major factor if there does, in fact, end up being a meeting of Boston and New York. The Knicks play tough with plenty of intensity . Couple that with their stars logging big minutes in every game, and it doesn't bode well for their energy come Eastern Confe...

 As of today, January 4, 2024, five writers for NBA.com unanimously picked the Celtics Jayson Tatum as a frontcourt starter in the upcoming 2024 NBA All-Star contest.    Other locks by NBA.com were Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt, along with Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the frontcourt . Tyrese Maxey, (twice)  Jalen Brunson, Trae Young and Donovan Mitchell also received votes to possibly join Haliburton at the guard position.