Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 It wasn't simply strong performances by Philly's Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey that resulted in Boston's loss to the rival 76'ers . The duo combined for 60 points, but the Boston bench just did not put enough points on the board to make a difference in the outcome. With Jrue Holiday out for this game, Al Horford started in his place and had a solid game (17 points, 6-of-13 FG, 5-of-10 3s). The subs consisted of Luke Kornet, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta. The reserves managed a mere combined 12 points (5-of-16 FG) . Luke supplied half of the total points, but Pritchard finally had an off game - hitting 1-of-9 from the field and missing all eight shots from beyond the arc. Hauser and Walsh went scoreless. This was only one game, but it was Boston's second loss in as many games . Jrue Holiday's defense was sorely missed, and Pritchard and Hauser both had weak games off the bench. Hopefully, Jrue is back soon, and the White Pin...

  Joel Embiid is back in the Philly fold following recovery from a torn meniscus , and the 76'ers finished the season on an 8-game winning streak . Those two facts are totally related. If the Celtics spar with Philly at some point in the post-season, the question remains of how to defend the 7', 280-lb. "Cameroonian Colossus" . Joe Mazzulla's strategy of putting d efensive whiz, Jrue Holiday , on Embiid during the regular season worked quite well. Jrue Holiday defense ✅ Jrue Holiday offense ✅ pic.twitter.com/XVgKsaHWlH — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 9, 2023 Jrue did a commendable job on Joel on the perimeter and worked his butt off making it hard for the big man to gain ground in the paint. Holiday often had Kristaps Porzingis coming over as a second defender, but don't be surprised to see Xavier Tillman given the task of covering Embiid for limited minutes. As Joel Embiid goes - so go the Philadelphia 76'ers. Mazzulla will go w...

 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.

 Realizing that the Kia MVP Ladder was alphabetically (first letter of last name), the Celtics Jayson Tatum still ended up dead-last (#15). But it is clear that he is not favored to acquire the honor this season. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics Offseason additions leave Boston looking primed for legit contention. Tatum enters a critical 2023-24 campaign coming off All-NBA first team honors in each of the last two seasons, after becoming the first Celtics player to average 30 points per game. Tatum opened the season with his 91st career double-double. But that thinking may be premature. Boston has won both contests thus far, and Tatum seems on a mission. He has added much-needed physicality to his game and fans are see him using his body strength and control to finish at the rim. That is somewhat new. His averages over the two games - and the 2-0 record - are a great start to his quest for MVP and Banner 18. 40.0 MPG - 28.0 PPG - 9.5 RPG - 4.5 APG - 1.5 SPG Jayson is up against toug...

 Past Celtics teams have had them - the big bruiser that isn't a star but can bump, grind and help wear out the burly stars of the opposition. Jim Loscutoff, Wayne Embry, Kendrick Perkins and Aron Baynes come quickly to mind. But I see no current guy on Boston's roster that fills that need. Who is going to take the buffeting from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic? Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet will tussle with that trio, but none are up to the task for extended minutes. Neemias Queta, at 7-feet and 245 pounds , was signed by Brad Stevens to a 2-Way Contract, which allows him to play up to 50 games in the regular season . He is primarily a defender, rebounder and rim protector. In Boston's win over the 76'ers on October 11 in preseason, the big guy played less than eight minutes and supplied 10 points (4-of-4 FG), three boards, two assists and a plus/minus of +14. The Portuguese big man still looks a bit raw, but at only 24 years ...

 The size differential between the Celtics Al Horford (6'9", 240 lbs.) and The Sixers Joel Embiid (7', 280 lbs.) appears greater than the measurements indicate . Still, Boston's 36-year-old center/forward did one terrific job defending the League MVP. It was obvious from Game-1 of the East Semis versus the Philadelphia 76'ers that The Dominican Gentleman was up to the task . Al was annointed as Embiid's prime defender in the series, and he was not going to allow the Philly center's size, strength and MVP status to detract from his task. It probably helped that Joe Mazzulla (or was it Brad Stevens?) decided to play his 2-big starting lineup for the final two games of the series - bringing in 6'8" Rob Williams to pair with Horford. In a post-game interview, Al put it right out there, stating: "I was just out there trying to fight for my life!" "I had to put my imprint in the series. I had to figure it out." Al Horford on guard...

 It's not over yet. The Celtics still have a shot at making the Eastern Conference Finals, but I must admit the thought of the 76'ers potentially ending Boston's run for Banner 18 this season makes me nauseous . Here's the deal. It's not the fact that Banner 18 would have to wait at least another year before being raised at TD Garden. It has only been 15 years since Beantown's last NBA Title, and the last I knew, there are 30 teams in the League. Do the math. I am not a "Title-or-nothing" Celtics fan . I can handle another "almost-made-it" season, but what I can't stomach is the thought of the Philadelphia 76'ers moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals - and possibly going all the way this season. My basis for this stand? Doc Rivers walked away from Beantown because he did not want to take on a rebuild after the departure of Paul Pierce andf Kevin Garnett . Nothing personal, but Doc has not exactly flourished since he left the Cel...

  Grant Williams didn't score a point as all three of his shot attempts missed the mark, but he made his presence known. In his 23 minutes of floor time, he bellied up to Joel Embiid and - despite the Philly big man's 30 points, 13 boards and four blocks - made life difficult for the reigning MVP. Marcus Smart did put some points on the board (15 of them), adding three rebounds, four assists and three steals, and he was everywhere on the court at both ends. The Wolverine also spent time in the ditch guarding Embiid and fared well, despite the height disparity. Celtics Grant Williams gets face stomped by Joel Embiid 😳 https://t.co/lD1ov8PoiG via @YouTube — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) May 6, 2023 I have been verbal in the past about the Boston Celtics lacking mental and physical toughness . That has changed. Smart has always delivered in that category, but he is now joined by Grant Williams . Grant getting "curb stomped" by Joel was tough to watch. But the 6'...

  Joe Mazzulla has made it clear that he wants the long-distance shooting barrage to continue versus the Philadelphia 76'ers, particularly with Joel Embiid doing his Wilt Chamberlain impression under the hoop on defense. And previously little-used Payton Pritchard fits that plan. In last night's blowout of Philly, Pritchard played the entire fourth quarter , producing eight points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal. Granted, the Celtics were ahead 92-65 upon his entry to the court, but the fact he can hit from anywhere on the court, sometimes in bunches (he was 3-for-3 last night) could mean fans may expect him to be the 9th-man, at least in this series. Payton Pritchard NBA player Highlights CELTICS vs 76ERS Play-Offs 03-05-... https://t.co/IgwJ09paJr via @YouTube — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) May 4, 2023 Despite what some may see as Payton being a liability on defense, he works hard at it. Barring injuries to Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon , don...

  "The Process" in Philadelphia basically involved shameless tanking to pick up Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz . None of that trio were on the TD Garden parquet when the 76'ers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game-1 of the Eastern Semi's. Oh, the shame of it all! With Embiid out with a knee injury and Simmons and Fultz gone from the City of Brotherly Love, it was James Harden (45 points, 6 assists), Tobias Harris 18 points, 5 boards, 3 assists) and Tyrese Maxey (26 points, 4 steals) that too over, with former Celtics Coach, Doc Rivers gloating on the sideline.  The Celtics were heavy favories to take Game-1, particularly with the 76'ers big man out of action. But, alas, that was not to be. Boston seemed to rely on their offense to win the contest They shot 74% from the field in the first half but onloy led by three points (66-63) at the end of the half. That was the red light for Boston - as analyst Charles Barkley stated - the Celtics should have ...

 The Celtics Second-Round series is against the Philadelphia 76'ers and starts Monday. Here are some tidbits from the City of Brotherly Love via PhillyVoice.com's Kyle Neubeck :  " It is Sixers-Celtics in the playoffs for the 22nd time in the playoffs, the most meetings between a pair of franchises in the history of the NBA." " As it pertains to the big man,  Philadelphia has been guarded about Embiid's availability, with Doc Rivers coy about what he knows during sessions with the media. The overwhelming consensus, though, seems to be that Embiid should be ready to go at some point early in this series, with much of the reporting centered around nice words like "optimism" and "hope" rather than "crying in a corner" and "praying for a miracle from the flying spaghetti monster."  "If Philadelphia has to go into Game 1 next Monday without Embiid, it should be noted that the Sixers' record without the big man is up...

 The Philadelphia 76'ers seem to be constantly attempting to surround center, Joel Embiid , with pieces to complete their puzzle and raise a Championship banner. They may be on the wrong track. The following from ESPN's Tim Bontemps: "For the past several years, the 76ers have tried to optimize Embiid's prime with hopes of deep postseason runs. But each time, flawed roster constructions have prevented the kind of breakthrough that normally follows a perennial MVP finalist. There was Embiid's ultimately doomed partnership with  Ben Simmons , a point guard whose lack of a reliable jump shot forced the 76ers to build offenses in which pick-and-rolls -- the lifeblood of the modern NBA -- were rare occurrences. There was the disastrous yearlong pairing with fellow big man  Al Horford , the player who gave Embiid fits for years with the  Boston Celtics  and gave him almost as many as a teammate." Philly had signed Horford in free agency, in part, to ensure he wouldn...

 Boston Head Coach, Joe Mazzulla , had to feel great after his Celtics took out the Philadelphia 76'ers in convincing fashion, 126-117. Here are my 10 takeaways from the contest: 1.) PACE: It is clear that Mazzulla is telling his troops to push the ball on offense. Boston outscored Philly 24-to-2 in fast break points. 2.) MALCOLM BROGDON: Boston's recent acquisition takes it to the hoop with authority and precision. He uses his body control to finish well at the rim. Malcolm finished with 16 points on 7-of-11 from the field. His shot chart for the game is below: 3.) GRANT WILLIAMS: Grant only missed one shot, and that was from the free throw line. He totaled 15 points in 24 minutes, while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 on treys.  4.) PAYTON PRITCHARD: Payton saw a DNP-CD for the game. It is unknown if this will continue into the season - or Coach Mazzulla felt it necessary to keep the little guy on the bench due to the size on the court for Philadelphi...

        1st Quarter        Sluggish start for the good guys in green and white, want to know a good thing? Seeing JT getting to the rim and dropping the hammer. JTs willingness to get to the hoop over threes lately has been great to see. The more that young man drives the better this team plays.       Wolverine aka Marcus Smart with yet another steal for two. Smarts D has been very impressive lately. He truly deserves consideration for defensive player of the year. His overall effort on a regular basis is something to be admired.       2nd Quarter        PP sees the floor in a very basketball savvy way. The more we see him on the the floor the better he gets. If he becomes the regular back up point guard we will see him get even better. He makes the right passes at the right time. He just has that knack to get the O going.       Aaron Crash 3Smith is another guy who wi...

              A Full Celtics Roster! Everyone Is Healthy! It's Go Time!         1st Quarter        Coming Out Hot Tonight       Unlike most first quarters, tonight we saw the Celtics looking to ball! Alley oops all over the place, guys were moving the ball, and shot selection was very controlled . Celtics fan should note Al was three for three to start, a revenge game?! Robert Williams presence in this lineup brings a spark that was missing. He just does it all, and his energy is electric.        Defense Defense DEFENSE!!!      Watching the Celtics when they put effort and heart on the court, we get very good results. When they are locked in on defense, we get a glimpse of how good they can be . They still had mental lapses but they frustrated Mr. Embid, which this writer loves to see. What this writer doesn't like to see is a big man of his talent flai...

. That was Danny Ainge's statement back when the Celtics stood with a 14-14 record - "Our roster is obviously not very good" .After last night's 106-96 trouncing of Boston by the Philadelphia 76'ers, I finally have to agree with the Celtics boss. If my readers have a problem with the term, trouncing , let me bring up the 20 turnovers by The Green, in addition to the fact they seemed to struggle even when they held a slight lead in the contest. Mind you, we are talking "roster-as-constituted" and "team" here - not the individual players. Hell, there are three present and past All-Stars in the mix.  As one who rarely blames losses on the referees , it has become obvious that they simply don't know yet how to call the plays when the 76'ers big man, Joel Embiid, takes it to the hoop. He is so big and strong, it often appears that his defender is exerting more force than Joel - when exactly the opposite is true.  Brad Stevens putting Luk...

I just like to get the other side of the story. The Philadelphia 76'ers beat the Celtics 117-109 on Wednesday night, and a rematch comes this evening. A Philadelphia sports writer feels that the Wednesday contest was Philly's first game versus a legitimate Title contender, and he wasn't exactly enthralled with the win or the structure of his home team ( per Philadelphia Inquirer's David Murphy ): In an ideal world, the game that unfolded in front of his eyes will be the last of its kind, a showdown between two championship aspirants that revealed almost nothing about the future that awaits either team. In the visiting corner, the Boston Celtics, minus their best player. In the home corner, the Sixers, playing a seventh straight game without their full starting lineup. Murphy agrees with most of us in Boston that the Wednesday game, and outcome, was not representative of what CAN  occur with both teams having full active rosters. One region of concern for Philadelphia i...

What to expect heading into the rivals' first matchups of the season this week It's pretty well documented that the current squads of the Celtics and 76ers aren't exactly buddy-buddy. This continues a storied rivalry between the two cities, with a long history of titans of our game matching up, such as Russell vs Chamberlain and Bird vs Dr. J. Now, we get the pleasure of watching Tatum and Brown take on Embiid and Simmons. The Celtics have had Philly's number the past few seasons, putting up a 15-6 record against them since Tatum's rookie season, which includes two smack downs in the playoffs (4-1 in the 17-18 season, and a 4-0 sweep in the bubble last season). You may remember the 17-18 series for Philly dropping confetti early (in a game that the Celtics won in OT), and Marcus Morris giving Embiid the "3-0" when the two started chirping at each other. These playoff losses lead to Embiid saying "This is not a rivalry... they always kick our ass"...

Once former Celtics coach, Doc Rivers , parted ways with the Los Angeles Clippers, it didn't take long for the Philadelphia 76'ers to latch onto him. His team takes the court tonight at 7:30 ET for an exhibition contest versus the Boston Celtics. Doc indicates it is all about conditioning, timing and pace - along with a large dose of 4-man, position-less basketball. We can assume that Philly center, Joel Embiid will reamain glued to the 5-spot ( per Philadelphia Enquirer's Keith Pompey ): They will run more pick-and-rolls under Rivers compared to the past seven seasons with Brett Brown. They’ll also run a motion offense with every position interchangeable besides the five spot. Right now, the offense is a day-to-day process. “Obviously, Shake [Milton] and Furkan [Korkmaz] being together,” he said, “I definitely want to see Tyrese [Maxey] with that group because of his ball-handling ability and his ability to shoot. Mike Scott has had a phenomenal training camp, not a ...

Now down 0-2 in their first-round series against the Boston Celtics, what does the Philadelphia press feel about the 76'ers chances of winning the series - or even one game? Well, the headline from Marcus Hayes' article for the Philadelphia Enquirer might give us a hint: Love him or hate him, these Sixers can’t win without Ben Simmons Simmons will never gain the affection shown to Larry Bird by Boston fans, but he may be a vital piece for Coach Brett Brown - this from The Enquirer's Marcus Hayes : Ben Simmons has a knee injury. He’s out for the foreseeable future. Without him, Jayson Tatum is cooking the Sixers. Without him, there is no offensive identity. Without him, there is no leader. Brown said “we make our money” through Joel Embiid, and Embiid calls himself The Process, but it’s never been clearer how valuable Simmons is. Trademark aside, it’s Ben’s team, for better or worse. With him, it might not always thrive. Without him, it dies. In his article, Hayes str...