POST GAME ORLANDO - AWAY

Celtics Wrap: Boston Wins Eighth Straight Game With 104-88 Victory Vs. Magic

NESN by Joshua Schrock on Sun, Nov 5, 2017 at 8:17PM

The Boston Celtics just keep winning. After losing their first two games, the Celtics now have ripped off eight wins in a row, the latest of which was a 104-88 win over the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Boston led for most of the game despite looking disjointed on offense for long stretches of the contest.

The Celtics’ defense stifled the Magic, as they held Orlando to 36.3 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from the 3-point line. Orlando made a run in the third, as they cut the C’s halftime lead to four, but Boston was able to pull away in the fourth thanks to stellar bench play and six players scoring in double figures. Jaylen Brown (18 points, seven rebounds) paced the Celtics despite a slow start, while Al Horford (14 points), Jayson Tatum (13 points), Marcus Morris (12 points), Kyrie Irving (11 points) and Marcus Smart (11 points) also scored in double digits for Boston. Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Celtics improved to 8-2 with the win, while the Magic fell to 6-4. Here’s how it all went down:

STARTING FIVE PG: Kyrie Irving SG: Jaylen Brown SF: Jayson Tatum PF: Marcus Morris C: Al Horford HORFORD STAYS HOT The Celtics’ big man was a huge part of Boston’s Friday night comeback against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he continued to torch the nets during the first quarter in Orlando. Horford went 3-for-4 from the field for nine points in the first 12 minutes to lead Boston to a 22-20 lead.

CELTICS EXTEND THE LEAD Boston’s bench, led by Smart, started what would turn into an 18-4 Celtics run midway through the second period. The C’s defense clamped down on the Magic in the second stanza, as Orlando only scored 18 points in the quarter and trailed Boston by 11 at halftime. Irving led the Celtics with 10 points, while Horford added nine and Brown chipped in with seven. Aaron Gordon paced the Magic with 10 points.

BOSTON PULLS AWAY Orlando cut the C’s lead to four midway through the third quarter, but Boston’s bench continued to play well against Orlando’s reserves. The C’s bench extended the lead to eight heading into the fourth, and then they went on a 12-2 run to run to push the lead to 18 with seven minutes to play. Morris, Smart, Terry Rozier and Aron Baynes all chipped in during the run. The Magic cut the lead to 12 with five minutes to play, but Shane Larkin hit a floater in the lane to push it to 14. Then Smart found Tatum for a 25-foot 3-pointer to grow the lead to 17 and cause Orlando empty the bench.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME The C’s might be the best passing team in the NBA. UP NEXT The Celtics will hit the floor again Monday against the Atlanta Hawks. Tip-off from Phillips Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
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Report: Celtics unwilling to part with first-rounder for Okafor

By NBC Sports Boston Report November 05, 2017 1:52 PM

The Celtics have long been rumored to have an interest in acquiring 76ers big man Jahlil Okafor. Now, with Okafor wanting out in Philly and the Sixers shopping him, the Celtics are unwilling to part with a first-round pick to get him, the Boston Globe reported.

Philadelphia does not want to buy out his contract and then watch him sign with a conference rival with no compensation. The Celtics have long held interest in Okafor, but as more of a project than an immediate contributor. Boston is also not willing to part with a first-round pick for Okafor.

The Celtics have the room to acquire a player now that the NBA has granted them an $8.5 million disabled player exception after Gordon Hayward's season-ending injury. That, and Okafor's situation in Philly, fired up the trade rumors again. Still, the Celtics are apparently unwilling to part with one of their many first-rounders for a half-season rental.

112288

80 - 2 STILL ALIVE!!!!!!!!

112288

If we are the first team to lose our first 2 and then win 7 straight then we're definitely the first team to lose the first two and win 8 straight.  I don't know how significant that is, there has been a lot of 0-2 starts by a lot of teams over the decades for that record to have been set before us, but we're still an NBA leading 8-2, and that's good enough for me. 

A pretty ugly game, all in all.

6 Celtics in double digits.  That's really balanced scoring when you only score 104 points.  We were shooting 22% more than halfway through the first.

Jaylen played hard.  He started off 1-6 after 1 but they weren't bad shots, he just missed.  He still ended up tied with Aaron Gordon for game high scorer with 18 and he did it on 7-13.  That means he went 6-7 in the next 3 quarters after his cold start.  What I want to know is "how can a player go 3-5 from 3 but 1-3 from the line?!".  Jaylen is shooting 58% from the line this year.  

Morris started and I have mixed feelings. He did some good stuff but is he a starter?  4-10 for 12 points and 4-4 from the line and 7 boards and 2 steals.  Doesn't look bad, I suppose, I just didn't like how he played.  Maybe I'll give him more than 2 games to settle in.  What to do about Morris/Tatum?

Irving with just 11 points on 4-13.  I love that we beat a team that was 6-2 going into tonight and would have been tied with us at 7-3 if they had won (so they're a good team so far this year) and we did it without Kyrie being Kyrie.

Horford with a double double.  3-3 from 3 makes him 7-7 including the OKC game.  He's not a high flyer, he's not a flyswatter or a tank with legs, but he does everything so so well.  He is now 46.7% from 3 this year.  A center, 47% from 3.

Tatum 5-8.  I like that the rook isn't just jacking up shots, nor is he cowering in a hole.  3 assists and zero TO.

Smart 4-13 for 11 points, 2-6 from 3 but playing a Marcus Smart game.  I had the Orlando feed and they were marveling how a 30% shooter can get 30mpg.  To their credit, they pointed out WHY every time Smart stole the ball or got a big board and ran the offense or did all those things that coaches love that don't show up in the boxscore.  8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals.  Almost a triple double for someone who can't shoot.  He is amazing.  If he ever learns how to shoot he'd be All-World.

TRo with 7 boards, some of them flat out amazing.  The Orlando announcers were gushing over him too.  That offensive rebound he got over Jonathon Isaac and then tied him up for a jump ball after he missed the shot, and then won the jump.  I thought the announcers were going to faint.

Baynes, solid as Gibraltar.  Solid mid-range shooting, 7 boards in 16 minutes. 

We were the #1 defense, giving up only 93.7ppg.  We're now down to 93.2ppg.  And Orlando had the #5 offense coming in.

54 rebounds vs 45.  We significantly outrebounded our opponent again.  This has become a habit.  A very, very good habit.  We are currently 4th in opponent rebounds, at 42.1.

We are now #1 in offense-defense +/-, with a -9.7ppg.  That is an indicator of team strength, are you winning by big margins or small margins?  Last year our +/- was small, because we won a lot of close games, in large part because of The Little Guy, but this year we're winning and we're winning comfortably.  The #2 team in +/-?  GSW.  We're ahead of the champions.

http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400974889








bob



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Last year's Celtics team was one of my favorites to watch in a long, long time. Guts, determination, scrappiness...winning games they should not have won based on talent and experience. Still they did.

Somehow this year's team is even more fun to watch. Much more fun.
Consistent fun. And they're having fun playing really great, TOUGH D and damn good O. Tatum, a joy. Jaylen, an I told you so pleasure. Kyrie, what a relief he's our point guard. Al continues to drill 3 after 3 with aplomb. How does he do that, pass so well, and play great D? Baynes and Theis adding muscle up front, and both have an outside shot.  Marcus and Marcus both earning their keep and then some. Semi - another damn good 3 point shooter who is one tough hombre on D blessed with Dancing with the Stars quick feet. Terry scoring and rebounding. Did I mention that almost everyone is rebounding this year? What an improvement over last season. Better rebounding, better D, better passing, better outside shooting, better inside scoring and strength (not a wussie in sight). Too bad our season ended 6 minutes into the first game, and all the basketball pundits wrote us off. Too bad for them.

cowens/oldschool wrote:....you sure weren't this critical of Kelly Olynck

Kelly Olynyk wasn't a #3 pick and a starter.


.

538 now has us winning 54 games.

This year's team is gifted athletically and phsically.

Celts now one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA.

I think it is going to take more games for Celtics fans to appreciate Morris and what he brings to the table.

Fortunately I made up my mind when Danny made the trade for him.

Facts are facts.  Morris is a starting PF who has averaged 30 plus minutes per game.

Baynes is a rotation player.  That is who he is.  He simply does not have the stamina to play productively for more than 18-20 mpg.  

There will be games where Baynes will start for matchup reasons but make no doubt about it he is not a pace and space guy.  He is tough as nails can make the elbow jumper and brings a physical presence to the game.

But he can not shoot from deep nor defend on the perimeter.  He was huffing and puffing in the SA game trying to keep up with the pace.

Both Morris and Baynes are excellent additions to this team but just understand that Morris is a starter.

Dboss

Olynyk was not that bad and is gone anyway.

54 wins for the Celtics is weak for an updated prediction. Yes we are homers, but we are watching every game. The ESPN guy had us going from #15 to #6 in a week. We watch these guys so much that we become the true experts.

I see sixty+ wins which is the usual win total for a true contender.

54 is wishy-washy. It's afraid to roll the dice and bet on Kyrie, Al and a rotation with its bubble running ten or 11 deep for ready to win NBA talent. The roster is balanced.

We have to stay healthy. Horford could have twisted his ankle and been out three weeks. Then you start losing games. Or these guys get banged up at the right time when the opponents are scrubs.

The Celtics are a top five NBA team right now. I mean this will continue. Orlando is obviously a pretender. I watched Washington and they pose no threat. I think Cleveland is done.

We have Golden State in a few weeks. We could be 36-5 halfway through the season. We looked bad tonight and still won by twenty.

36-5 is crazy. I'll go with 33-8. I'm sensing a lot of wins.

Boston's 3 or shooting is now over 37%.

I want to go to a game.  Boston is in town tonight but I may wait until the game on the 18th.

As I watch games from around the league there are a lot of empty seats.  The NBA is pricing themselves out.  I will not go to a game with bad seats so I have to spend a small fortune for good seats.  I will go to one game this year.

Dboss

cowens/oldschool wrote:

bobheckler wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:....you sure weren't this critical of Kelly Olynck

Kelly Olynyk wasn't a #3 pick and a starter.


.

just be grateful JB is not Winslow, Kidd-Gillhurst or Marvin Williams

admit it Bob KO stunk up this defense for 4 years whenever he was on the floor and if he was still on this team, he'd still be a big liability, getting attacked and scored on easily because that's what he does.

Cow,

In Kelly's first year his net offensive-defensive rating was 0, meaning that the team scored as many points/100 possessions as they gave up (107-107).  In every year with Boston after that he had a positive rating.  He was a +3 his 2nd year, a +7 his 3rd year and a +6 his 4th year.

/100 possessions..............Boston Celtics.................Kelly Olynyk
2016-2017------------------+2.6------------------------+6
2015-2016------------------+3.2------------------------+7
2014-2015------------------+.2-------------------------+3
2013-2014.......................-4.5------------------------0.0

Every single year he was with us he contributed more to the offense, one way or another, than he took away from it on defense except for his rookie year where he broke even.  Before you accuse me of making these stats up to prove a point, here's where I got them from.

www.basketball-reference.com

Look at the 'Team and Opponent Stats' for the Celtics and at 'Per 100 Possessions' for individual players.  The difference is that the Team stats are /game while the player stats are pace-adjusted for 100 possessions.  That will change the hard numbers (e.g. 107 points/100 possessions for Kelly in 2013-2014 while the Team averaged 96.2 points/game) but it wouldn't change the relationship, the delta, between Kelly's offense and defense and the delta between the team's offense and defense.  They would still be the same net +/-

Maybe you should just admit you are highly prejudiced against him and discount any evidence that might prove you wrong.  Either way, he's gone now and you need to let the hate go with him.  It's not healthy for you.



bob


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Many of the comments and criticisms here need to be refocused through the prism of how early it is. The Celtics are starting the 3rd week of the season - with very little pre season.

Kyrie will have a break out year and while his PPG will not go up - his overall game will and the team will be better for it.
Al Horford will be the team MVP and all those idiots on Boston Sport Talk who call him Average Al, will continue to get big, steaming plates of crow.
Jaylen Brown will hit FTs at a higher % as the season goes on.
Marcus Smart will continue to shoot poorly, but do all the other things that make him a winner.
Jason Tatum will continue to grow as a player, get stronger and be a great player - his IQ is off the scale.
Marcus Morris will start some night, be a 6th man some night, and always play hard, get under people's skin and be far more skilled than most of you give him credit for.
Terry Rozier will bide for more time and continue to improve. He will also have off nights, but his effort will always be present.
Baynes will hold down the paint, and be used sometimes as a starter to set the tone, sometimes as a sub to come in and add some physicality to a game that the other team is pushing the Celtics around. And sometimes, will be in the game down the stretch instead of Morris. He will play 15 to 30 minutes, all depending on the situation.

I love this team. You add Gordon Hayward and a veteran 8th or 9th man who can score, and you right in the mix with anyone in the NBA.

mrkleen09 wrote:Many of the comments and criticisms here need to be refocused through the prism of how early it is.  The Celtics are starting the 3rd week of the season - with very little pre season.

Kyrie will have a break out year and while his PPG will not go up - his overall game will and the team will be better for it.
Al Horford will be the team MVP and all those idiots on Boston Sport Talk who call him Average Al, will continue to get big, steaming plates of crow.
Jaylen Brown will hit FTs at a higher % as the season goes on.
Marcus Smart will continue to shoot poorly, but do all the other things that make him a winner.
Jason Tatum will continue to grow as a player, get stronger and be a great player - his IQ is off the scale.
Marcus Morris will start some night, be a 6th man some night, and always play hard, get under people's skin and be far more skilled than most of you give him credit for.
Terry Rozier will bide for more time and continue to improve.  He will also have off nights, but his effort will always be present.
Baynes will hold down the paint, and be used sometimes as a starter to set the tone, sometimes as a sub to come in and add some physicality to a game that the other team is pushing the Celtics around. And sometimes, will be in the game down the stretch instead of Morris.  He will play 15 to 30 minutes, all depending on the situation.  

I love this team.  You add Gordon Hayward and a veteran 8th or 9th man who can score, and you right in the mix with anyone in the NBA.

+ a lot !!!

We are so friggin deep. Some here will be pissed as minutes get squeezed but it's a friggin 82 game season.....a marathon of sorts not a sprint.  These players need to stay healthy and guys like Semi and, Theis, will fight for minutes.  And Yabby and Nadar will pick up some crumbs along the way and Bird will fly back and forth from the Red Claws.  PLUS there is still the option of picking up another due to Haywards injury.

In the past we thought we had a pretty good bench but DA has overdone it this year.  No need to wear anyone out on this team...no need for anyone to have to average 35 MPG or score 20 PPG either.

I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy this ride and NOT get caught up in worrying about the small stuff !! If there is a W at the end of the day.......regardless how it's achieved.........it's a good day !!

beat

dBoss.............You may be onto something.

Like all sports teams but mostly basketball, the owners are cozying up to corporate season ticket holders and not the true fan base. It becomes a corporate entertainment expense and a write - off for corporations, so they will pay for tickets even though they are over priced.

In the long term, it will hurt the real fan who may get turned off by the high price and perhaps find other interest in life that they could participate in live, verses removed via TV/cable.

The true fan would not only go to multiple games during the year, but buy merchandise as well. So this could impact revenue in the future if more fans turn - off.

In addition, he /she fan will not want to pay high prices for even nose bleed seats or seats well beyond the back of the basket as well, even if they are price discounted from center/side court prices..............they are still too high!

112288

KJ wants to go to a game with me. I figure $200 plus parking a couple of beers and a half cooked hotdog.

dboss

dboss wrote:Boston's 3 or shooting is now over 37%.

I want to go to a game.  Boston is in town tonight but I may wait until the game on the 18th.

As I watch games from around the league there are a lot of empty seats.  The NBA is pricing themselves out.  I will not go to a game with bad seats so I have to spend a small fortune for good seats.  I will go to one game this year.

Dboss

correction we are over 36% 3 point shooting. (.368%) Last year we finished at .359%

John Schuhmann‏Verified account 

[ltr]@johnschuhmann[/ltr]






More
Most wins vs. teams that are currently over .500...
BOS (4-0)
MEM (4-1)
DET (4-2)
GSW (4-3)
WAS (3-1)
HOU (3-3)
LAL (3-3)
5:43 AM - 6 Nov 2017







Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA

yesterday

Horford: “Shane’s ability to pressure the ball in the 4th quarter kind of changed the course for us. Really got after their point guards.”
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Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA

yesterday

Smart: When I switch screens with Terry and pair up, we feel like we can play on our own. It helps our bigs not needing to help us.
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Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA

yesterday

Smart: “Set our tone. We made them do what we wanted to do...Go to our spots quickly and kept them on their heels all game.”
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Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA

yesterday

Kyrie in big win without good offense: “That right there is an assuring feeling and we still don’t want to be content with it.”
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Jay King @ByJayKing

9 hours ago

The Celtics offense has largely been average, but they're scoring 115.0 points per 100 possessions during 4th quarters, per NBA dot com.
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Sean Grande‏Verified account 

[ltr]@SeanGrandePBP[/ltr]






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So, advanced metrics can be tricky, somewhat misleading, all the standard disclaimers but, yeah...

MY NOTE: When you are a member of the #1 defense your individual defensive stats are likely to look good, and that's as it should be.




Jay King @ByJayKing

about 2 hours ago

Early on, Jaylen Brown has boosted his defensive rebound rate from 14.4 (on a bad rebounding team) to 18.1 (on an elite rebounding team).
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bob




.

bob



.

dboss wrote:KJ wants to go to a game with me.  I figure $200 plus parking a couple of beers and a half cooked hotdog.  

dboss

Probably half of a half-cooked hotdog.


KJ