Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 The Boston Celtics currently hold a somewhat shaky hold on the second seed in the Eastern Conference. "The Green" have a record of 44-23 but are trailed by the New York Knicks with a 43-25 record. Should Boston meet the Knicks in the post-season, home court advantage may be critica l, even though the Celtics' road record is almost as good as its home numbers. But the Celtcs are 1-2 against New York this season, and as many as four playoff contests in Madison Square Garden would not be what Joe Mazzulla is looking forward to. Let me be blunt. At very least, the refs do not seem to favor Boston when it comes to calling - or not calling - fouls. But as Jaylen Brown has possibly inferred, the refs - and the League - may just feel that "The Green" have accumulated enough awards over the years to satisfy Boston fans. And New York has more residents than Boston - while the Knicks are a bigger market with a higher monetary value than the Celtics.  The Celtics...

 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...

  Jaylen Brown's stelar play in the 2024 Finals versus the Mavericks was evident once again in the Celtics convincing win over the Knicks in Game-5 of the Eastern Semis. In 37 minutes , he did a great defensive job on New York's Jalen Brunson , while supplying 26 points, eight rebounds, 12 assists (not a misprint), one steal and a plus/minus of +28. That's 12 assists with only two turnovers for Brown. And he held Brunson to 41% shooting on field goals and 25% on 3-pointers , while Jaylen was 53% from the field and 60% on treys.  Even if you missed the game, Brown's 12 assists show that he didn't try to make up for the loss of Jayson Tatum all by himself.  Admittedly, his foul shooting (5-of-8) was off a bit, but his overall game, in a do-or-die situation, was admirable.. Can he do it again on Friday night in New York? Boston fans hope so. With Tatum out of action for (at least) most of next season - and with the upcoming cost-cutting - almost every player on the ...

 The Celtics Kristaps Porzingis is listed as "probable" for tonight's Game-2 clash with the New York Knicks. He saw only 13 minutes of action in Boston's Game-1 loss to New York - producing ZERO points (0-4 shooting), four boards and one assist - all in the first half .  Coach Joe Mazzula stated that the Latvian center simply could not continue in the second half. An unknown respiratory illness seems to be doing a number on the big man. Porzingis is taking some heat on social media , and that is unfair. The Celtics brought the big man into the fold because of his size and skills, knowing how fragile he is. But a number of Celtics fans have the perception that anyone making almost $30 million this year should be out there if they can move and talk . What Kristaps Porzingis is doing to our fanbase. GET IT TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/cKm3clwdtm — 𝙍𝙊𝘾🏖️(limited and can’t like) (@RavensOsCelts08) May 6, 2025 But the NBA playoffs are grueling , particularly for anyon...

  I know it! Many of you know it! Even the Jay Team knows it! Charles Barkley commented - after the Celtics loss in Game-1 to the Knicks - The Celtics are a team that "has no Plan B". The 45 missed treys by Boston amounted to 135 points .  Trust me! I am not against the 3-pointer in NBA games. I have always stated that the best solution to a problem usually lies somewhere between the extremes . Avoiding the long ball entirely is a mistake. Continuing to chuck them up ( 60 attempts, 25% success in Game 1 ) when they are not falling is folly. Against New York, Boston never went to Barkley';s "Plan B". Launching 3-pointers is the easy way out. Jayson Tatum: "There were probably some times that we settled." Tatum said he believes he could have put more pressure on the rim. — Jay King (@ByJayKing) May 6, 2025 That is all!

 The Boston Celtics are 43 games into the current regular season , and they are faltering. WHY? Well, first of all, this IS the regular season - and Boston is experiencing the lethargy often seen in a "post-Title NBA team" . In other words, the Celtics are bored with any pre-playoff contests - i tching for the post-season - and facing potential post-season competition from a very-improved Cavaliers team and a somewhat-improved Thunder squad. Celtics record 2023-24, 64-18 (780) Celtics record 2024-25, 30-13 (.698) And don't dismiss the Milwaukee Bucks or Denver Nuggets in this conversation. Any team with a Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic on it could give The Green problems in the post-season. And how about the Knicks, Grizzlies and (Heaven forbid) the Rockets. Surpassing the Cavs for first place in the Eastern Conference would be difficult for Boston, but the good news is that the Celtics thus far have won as many games on the road (15) as they have at home . A...

 Only one game, but the Boston Celtics dominance over the New York Knicks in the season opener might be indicative of the entire 2024-25 season. The Green looked omnipotent against the team that may be their strongest opponent in the East.   Jayson Tatum was incredible in the win - scoring 37 points from everywhere. while handing out 10 assists with only one turnover. Jayson has mentioned himself as a potential winner of the MVP Award this season, and at least for one game - he certainly looked like one. Jayson Tatum on who will win the 2024-25 MVP Award 'Can I say myself?' 👀 pic.twitter.com/s2XGHmlNj1 — 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖊𝖑𝖙𝖎𝖈𝖘 𝕲𝖑𝖔𝖇𝖊 ☘️ (@CelticsGlobe) September 12, 2024 Tatum just looked in total control out on the court - absolutely confident . What happened to his 'broken shot"? He connected on 14-of-18 from the field versus the Knicks and  8-of-11 from downtown. And he made it look so easy. The final score was 132-109 in favor of Boston, and the game was...

 It's already out there. The vibes are resounding that the Boston Celtics , mostly due to key injuries to members of opposing teams, have had - and will have - an easy path - at least to the NBA Finals ( per nytimes.com ): "Boston faced a  Miami Heat  team without  Jimmy Butler . Now, it’s facing a  Cavaliers  team that misses  Jarrett Allen  and just had to sit Mitchell because of his knee. Also, this is a Cleveland team that gave away  the worst t-shirts ever  used as promo. Assuming the Celtics take care of business in the next game or two ( they beat Cleveland 109-102  last night to move to 3-1 in the series), they will face either a  young, inexperienced Pacers team  with one of the worst defenses we’ve ever seen, or an  extremely banged-up Knicks squad  missing at least two starters." No kidding! Since when has good luck not been a requirement for bringing the Championship Trophy back to your home city? G...

 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...

  "That's a high-percentage shot!" --- Bill Russell -as-commentator Old-timers may recall NBA Analyst Bill Russell would often repeat that sentence when Wilt Chamberlain would jam another shot through the hoop. It got old. That's my point. Wilt's 100-point explosion in March of 1962 when Chamberlain's Warriors took down the New York Knicks may never be eclipsed. Here's why. "The Stilt", at 7'1" and 280 pounds, was a mismatch for any opposing center . Almost all of his scores came on dunks and close-in finger-rolls . The Knicks centers he faced in that contest were the immortal rookie Cleveland Buckner and the rather-average Darrall Imhoff. Buckner actually had a good offensive game in that outing with 33 points and eight boards, but Wilt had a field day against the 6'9', 210-lb. rookie . Buckner was out of the NBA after two seasons . Sophomore I mhoff, at 6'10" and 220 pounds did no better against Goliath, fouling...

 NBA fans may forget that it was the Knicks that drafted Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth pick in the 2015 draft - and subsequently gave up on him - sending him off to Dallas in a trade. How did that work out? The final score last night was Celtics 133, Knicks 123 in large part due to a spectacular showing by the Boston backcourt of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday (combined 46P, 9R, 8A, 4S, 3 B, 1TO) - but it was the former (and spurned) Knick who tormented his former team,  scoring at will from everywhere on the court - and opening things up for his comrades. Kristaps finished with 21 points on 7-of-13 from the field, 3-of-6 on treys and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Nice work for a player once labeled as a potential "stiff, bust, blown lottery pick" by none other than Adrian Wojnarowski ( per Wikipedia ): "He's (Kristaps Porzingis) considered a stiff, a bust, a blown lottery pick until he doesn't become one." There was little "stiffness" ...

 This contest was in doubt through the first three quarters, but the Celtics opened up some breathing room in the final period - to take the game 114-98 . Here are some highpoints : There is a developing synergy between Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum . Exhibit A being one early play where Jrue whipped a pass to Jayson under the hoop for a score - bringing back memories of the DJ-to-Bird easy hoops from the mid-80's. Jaylen Brown ended up as team-second in assists with six dimes . His lob pass to Porzingis for the dunk was perfection. Brown is working on his passing game. The Celtics bench remains shallow , but Sam Hauser is shooting lights out lately. He was 4-of-6 from 3-point land for 12 points, and he is a willing board guy (4 last night) and competent defender. If he can do this consistently, his contribution will be critical. Payton Pritchard may be easing out of his slump. He only had five points, but was 2-of-3 from the field and made his sole 3-pointer. He also added t...

 The heat endured by Jaylen Brown after his less-than-spectacular performance on Boston/s win over the Knicks in the season opener will fade. Many Celtics fans are wondering, "Is this what we can expect after JB getting that massive contract"? The reality is that Brown is trying to fit into a new system with new teammates. It has to be tough for him to watch the younger Jayson Tatum (with one season less with Boston) become the "Alpha" Celtic. And now comes newly-acquired Kristaps Porzingis who performed brilliantly in his debut in Beantown, even sealing the win after a few botches by the "temporarily erratic" Brown. Can it be possible that the "Long Latvian" could overtake Jaylen as the number-2 option on the team? It could happen. But it doesn't matter . All that does matter is a successful season for the team, and hopefully Banner 18. Brown's team-high five assists versus New York tells me he is trying to alter his game for the ...

 Only one game, but the Celtics win over the Knicks presented the same question - namely, is Boston's bench playoff material? Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, White and Holiday started the game, and this looks like a lock for most contests. Al Horford is certainly that sixth man. At least for last night, things looked shaky after that. The trio of Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser scored a total of four points in a combined 33 minutes of play . They shot 1-of-9 from the field and missed all nine attempts from beyond the arc. The threesome did add a combined four boards, three assists, one steal and two blocks. Play can admittedly be shaky at the start of the season, so the bench may straighten itself out. But be assured that Joe Mazzulla will experiment with the likes of Delano Banton, Oshae Bissett, Svi Mykhailiuk, Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta and Lamar Stevens.   It becomes obvious that Brad Stevens strengthened the top-6 in his rotation by picking up Porzingis an...

  Jaylen Brown didn't look like he was worth the huge contract he signed this summer. But it was only one game.  In the Celtics 108-104 win over the Knicks last night, Jaylen seemed off his game . He scored only 11 points on 4-of-11 from the field, and he missed all four of his 3-point attempts . But he had six rebounds, five assists, one steal, only two turnovers and a plus/minus of +8.  That plus/minus was second to Kristaps Porzingis' team-high +13 . And Brown's team-high five assists stand out for a guy not known as the heir to Bob Cousy as "assist-man-of-the-year".  I have at times criticized Jaylen for his lack of assists and poor free throw shooting . But he was 3-of-4 from the charity stripe in the game, and he has improved his work at the line over the years. Brown may be trying to change his game to the style Joe Mazzulla sees as the path to Banner 18, and it may take a few games for him to get acclimated. He is not an adept passer but still managed...

 Some of our readers got it right when they envisioned Joe Mazzulla might bring Al Horford off the bench . The starting five consisted of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Al and Sam Hauser entered the game with 6:12 left in the first period, and Payton Pritchard came in at the 2:53 mark. It is obvious that Mazzulla is experimenting to determine if Hauser has progressed enough to be that 8th man in the regular season rotation. Which brings to mind our "3rd-Man-Off-The-Bench" contest . Hit the link to find out what it's about. If this had been the Celtics regular season opener versus the Knicks scheduled for October 25 - and you chose Sam as logging the 8th-most floor time at 21:58 minutes, you would have won. Give it a shot. Hauser produced 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal - hitting on 4-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 beyond the arc. He was solid on both ends. Horford coming off the bench should keep his mi...

  The oddsmakers have it wrong . Most show the Knicks Immanuel Quickley having the best shot at being named NBA 6th-Man-of-the-Year over the Celtics Malcolm Brogdon. Immanuel Quickley's odds to win Sixth Man of the Year at @BetMGM +25000: Two weeks ago +6600: Last week +175: Before Celtics game -130: Now pic.twitter.com/AGcj6FXuAV — John Ewing 🦁 (@johnewing) March 6, 2023 Quickly's rise over the last month has a lot to do with his scoring and the fact New York defeated Boston ( per HardwoodHoudini's Eric Fritts ):  " Malcolm Brogdon was and still is among those with high odds but the favorite has shifted to New York Knick Immanuel Quickley, whose odds went from +175 before defeating Boston to -130 after, per MGM Sportsbook." Here are the comparative stats for both over the regular season: Brogdon: 14.9 PPG-.484 FG-.444 3s-.870 FT-4.2 RPG-3.7 APG Quickley:  12.2 PPG-.435 FG-.352 3s-.803 FT-3.7 RPG-2.9 APG The Sixth-Man-of-the-Year award is determined (or shoul...

Tonight should be a must win! Why?? A. Friday Night Was Atrocious..... B. The Knicks think they own you, that is unacceptable! C. Homecourt is a good luxury to have.  D. Celtic Pride   1st Quarter Moments  Marcus Smart earns the C's an extra possession early on, Tommy Point! The masked man hits the deep three! All hands on deck tonight, great job yet again by Marcus saving another possession.  Lately JT is doing a very good job at following up missed shots. A skill that a lot of NBA players don't have anymore. Not even the guy who shoots the ball follows it. I was always taught to follow your shot. This may a niche Tatum has found and added to his game.  Despite trailing early, the C's have active hands on defense. They better keep this pace up all game. I do need to see someone challenge Randle and shut him down.. I've seen enough of his arrogance on the floor. He rubs me the wrong way.  C's need to attack Josh Hart after his malarkey from the last time we...

  Celtics enter New York with payback on their mind! No Jaylen Brown tonight, but Derrick White gets the start! So nice to hear Mike Gorman's voice tonight. Let's hope his return brings us some good luck. C's need to own the Knicks on the boards tonight.  1st Quarter Observations  Let's continue to watch JT read defenses as he finds Al for three. His court vision is very Bird like lately. When your best player has the ability to dish the rock like this it's a beautiful thing. It truly shows how each and every year this young man improves. He's a player who never stops working, and it's evident in his game.  If I have to watch another three point shot go up, I may lose it. When you aren't hitting them, get yourselves to the hoop! Why is today's NBA player so infatuated with this shot?! The game was changed in the wrong way. I want guys who can post up, get to the rim, and get to the line. A guy like JB makes me proud because he owns that mid range gam...

  In the 1970's , you could count the black families in my town on one hand . One such family lived in our development, and one of the sons, Fred, and his white friend, Mike, would often use the basketball hoop in my driveway. One day while my wife, Linda, was hanging wash outdoors, Fred and Mike showed up. My very young son, Marc, not familiar with those of African descent, yelled out, "Hey mom, guess who's here. Mike and the shiny kid." Linda, hoping this embarassment would end quickly, ignored Marc's heralding-of-the-arrival of the young duo. Marc, not to be deterred , yelled out once again, "Mom, look who it is. Mike and the shiny kid". Whether there was a third outcry from our offspring , we can't recall. But Fred and Mike stettled in for basketball competition - the clothes got hung out to dry - and the world went on. Fred and I became good friends . I once took Fred, Mike and a friend to a Celtics-Knicks game at the Old Boston Garden. It tu...