ClutchFans Game Thread: Celtics @ Rockets 1/3/2025

It really comes down to whether we can hit shots from the perimeter. Boston is a swarming defense and they are going to swarm Sengun. Sengun won't get the chance for easy buckets in this game. Whoever is in our backcourt has to hit shots for us to have a chance.

 

You all have to know the Rockets can't hang with the big boys in the East. No knock on Houston, it's just that the Beasts of the East are in another universe.

You all saw how this season is going to go by the dominance in the NBA CUP. The best of the West was run out of the building by the Bucks. Going to be the same in the NBA Finals. The East Owns!

Good luck tonite, you'll need it.

 

Boston is just 6-4 in their last 10 games and is on the 2nd night of a B2B after squeaking out a 3 point win against the Wolves…Brown and Porzingis are injured as well

so I’m cautiously optimistic about tonight

 

That definitely makes it more winnable. Sure wish Amen and Tari were available. I don't think they let Sengun beat them with scoring so our backcourt is going to have to hit shots. We won't win if our high volume shooters hit 30% from 3. Maybe Brooks can carry us from the perimeter. Jabari just doesn't get enough opportunities to step up and make an offensive difference.

 

Clerics are on the Second night of a back to back away. We should be able to give ourselves a good chance at the upset

 

Of course we lost two games in a row at home to Minnesota (the same team Boston just beat) and freakin' Miami without JImmy. We had our hands full for a half against Lukaless Mavs. We have a chance because Brown and Porzingas are sitting out. I don't think the back to back will have much of an impact since we are without our guys that up the tempo. We will have FVV walking the ball per usual. That is not a formula for tiring a team out. Boston is going to double team Sengun late in the clock and force FVV and Jalen to beat them. Our chance is that at least one of them has a rare good offensive game.

 

If we had Amen and/or Tari available to cover Tatum I'd feel really good about this one. But maybe we can pull it out even without them

 

Good test on the quality of our team.

 

We need A+ games from Cam and Jalen to win this one. We're without the terror twins, and Boston spreads the floor and shoots 3's like crazy. They need to move on D and minimize the open 3's, and be efficient on offense.

Ime will be laser focused, and I expect an intense game. Looking forward to watching it, and hoping for a big W.

 

First!

 

I won't be upset if we drop this one. Even on a back to back on the road the C's are extremely well coached and loaded.

 

I watched that Boston-Minnesota game; the officials simply swallowed their whistles when Tatum dribbled. I counted nine chicken wings on his 27-shot attempts, especially when dribbling left. Once it was clear that they would let them play, he kept testing the limits over and over again.

Besides showing up for the US Olympic team out of shape because of the long NBA season, there's a reason Tatum couldn't produce at the Paris Olympics. You can't get that sort of home cooking in France. International officials wouldn't allow him to use his shoulders and arms to create shooting pockets and lanes to the basket.

Tatum seeks out that contact to maintain balance on his shot. That makes him even more challenging to guard because he doesn't miss many uncontested looks.

 

Jaylen Brown and Porgzinis still out?

 

They're game time decisions, but I imagine they'll both sit. Horford is listed as out tonight.

 

Last game for me and my son at the Toyota centre. Will miss the place! Would surely be a season ticket holder if we were living here.

 

Finally got some much needed free time after a super busy 2024. Will watch my first game in 2025 from start to finish. I’m glad Aqua man been getting some more minutes lately, it takes awhile for his serious knee injury to heal. Adams may be on his way back to his old self.