I worked Friday night, so I didn't get to blog about the C's convincing Game 3 victory. Luckily they did what they needed to do and took one in Philly, but losing the way they did today hurts like when you bite your fingernail too low....except it's every finger and toe, and you're also bummed that your four live bets lost because the C's took way too long to get shit moving on their final possession in a situation where their coach was like, "nah I'm not gonna coach." (Seeing Marcus' potential-game-winning shot go in gave me a brief moment of excitement since Dorris and whoever the dude is had a terrible game and messed up multiple times.) That late pace was far from the C's only mistake down the stretch.
Marcus Smart missed a wide-open three that would've won the game in regulation which was kind of annoying cause I hate shooting a three when you just need a bucket (although in today's NBA, I get it, that was a "good shot") wins it. Who knows if it would've made a difference, but the C's went into overtime with two timeouts in their pocket. On their final possession of the game, Mazzulla again chose to not call timeout. Here's what he said in the postgame about his decision.​
I've been hard on Joe lately, but I actually don't hate that response. I also don't understand the reason to not use your timeouts. Some say it's to keep the defense on their toes, but idk; in those spots, I feel like it's best to take a breath, maybe get a swing of water/Gatorade, grab your teammates a little, get fired up, and win the fucking game!
I get no love on Twitter because my tweets might suck, and I don't sub to Twitter blue (fuck Elon), but this was a solid Office reference (maybe it's cause I fucked up and put timeout as two words??)
I don't love giving the Donald air time on DOL, but this clip is the perfect encapsulation of Mazzulla's timeout management.
This loss was so frustrating because precisely what I thought would happen happened. The C's were playing gross but never fell out of the game. Things got close to out of hand at the end of the third, but a D-White three-ball started an 8-2 run to cut the Sixers' lead back to single digits.
Throughout the game, I was texting some buddies and my dad (separately; we're not all in a group chat lol). I kept saying, we're staying close, we just need a run, and the C's eventually got one. They went on like a 17-4 run in the 4th and were up 5 points with about two minutes left. Had the C's won, the series was O-V-E-R. Doc was Docin', but credit to Philly; they made enough plays late/the C's fucked up. Man, this loss stinks on ice. We've been the superior team this series, but that doesn't mean shit when it's knotted up 2-2. This isn't exactly the most profound take, but now Tuesday becomes a massive game for the C's to keep their upper hand. You won Game 3. You got homecourt back, but you cannot let Philly have a chance to close it out at home Thursday night. Defend the parquet. You gotta give credit to Tatum. After starting a poopy 0/8 from the floor, he had a 15-point third quarter and finished a respectable 9/20 for 24 points. He was off from deep all game but hit what could've been the game-winning shot for the C's late in OT. Some may say the C's loss was a "ball don't lie "situation since this could've been an offensive foul, but I'd argue the Sixers got plenty of love from the officials this afternoon.
Doc was hot about the non-call, but IMO he should be counting his lucky stars that Jaylen fucked up and left Harden uncovered.
JB was accountable for this mistake. I love this guy and his demeanor. Hopefully he never dons another uniform. (also get this man some fucking touches in the 4th!!!)
​Now we've got ourselves a three-game series. Last year, the Celtics lost Game 5 at home vs. Milwaukee in a similar situation but won in 7. Then in the ECF, they lost Game 6 at home in a close-out spot and clinched the East on the road. I really wish we'd stop playing with our fucking food, but I suppose these teams are also good and not easy outs. Everybody wants the Larry OB.
Despite being locked up, the Celtics are the better team in this series. I'm not biased; I genuinely believe that and data support it, but for that to continue to ring true, the C's must win Tuesday night. Weirdly I'm now somewhat calm after this loss (despite my earlier words & losing 4/5 live bets...I cashed one out, and of course, Seanny Wrong is blaming the C's loss on that) because of the heart they showed. The playoffs have no moral victories, but the C's showed me something in their fight. They stepped up when needed in the 4th, but it wasn't enough. Okay, I'm butthurt again; I just looked at the box score (but also stand by what I said moments ago): shooting 72.7% (16/22) from the line in a one-point loss is infuriating. Being up 3-1 would've been a luxury and likely a death knell for the Sixers. Now we've got a series. ​It low key feels like it's the same old song and dance with this team; they make things more challenging than they need to be. Philly's two wins are by a combined 3 points. Ours are by 46, but all that matters is 2-2. We'll see how the C's respond on Tuesday. Also, I would've liked to see Jaylen end up with more than 23 after his hot start. I don't like seeing Jaylen only taking 16 shots while Marcus puts up 15. After averaging 20.3 shots per game in the Atlanta series, JB is down to just 15.3 shots per game through four vs. Philly. My man needs his touches!!! P.S. It's such a shame this shimmy came in a loss. Al's had some ugly shooting nights these playoffs, but we're gonna need him to get this ring!
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