Celtics still in the playoff picture despite struggling in San Antonio

Fortunately for you all, while you were sweating out the NCAA tournament, I was probably the only person in the country watching the Celtics. It’s a sickness, but I will not apologize nor am I ashamed. Anyway, here is what we learned last night deep in the heart of Texas….

First things first. Popovich is a huge asshole for not resting his players against the Celts. It seems like every other day someone like Duncan or Parker is getting the night off, so it was already a bad sign when you took a look at who was in the lineup.  Leading into this game all you heard about was how awesome the Spurs were, how well they play together, and frankly it made me puke. I get it, they are good, but they did just lose to the fucking Knicks a few games ago so please spare me the slob job that they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Once the game started though, it was like Pop was personally telling me how his ass tasted. Everything you heard about how they play the right way by trusting each other and moving the ball were true. SA would jump out to a 10-2 lead before Stevens was forced to call an early timeout, and you could sense it. The Celts had been playing some pretty inspiring defense over the last few weeks, but you couldn’t tell from the effort we saw to open this game. SA hit their first five shots, and would shoot 60% for the whole quarter. As hot as they started, this was another game in which it was more about what the Celtics weren’t doing. You will not beat the Spurs at home if you let them outwork you on the glass, and turn the ball over. As the first quarter went along, this is exactly what the Celtics let happen. They would get out rebounded 12-6 in the quarter and would have five terrible turnovers.  Kawhi Leonard led SA with 7 points in the quarter, but it was really more of a pick your poison as all of the Spurs starters started great. After a brutal first quarter, Celts trailed big time 32-19.

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Unfortunately, things would not get much better in the second quarter. The Celts would continue to struggle scoring the ball shooting just 39%, and they continued to turn the ball over for easy baskets. What I’ve noticed this trip is that the turnovers they have had are almost inexcusable. I feel like 3 or 4 times a game someone literally just passes it straight to the other team. Interesting offensive strategy. SA started to cool off, but would play the Celtics to essentially a draw and led comfortably into the break 56-42 but it may as well have been 100. Celtics did not come to play in the first half and if not for Marcus (10pts) and Avery (10pts) it could have been much worse.

The second half opened with a familiar scene. Fouls. These past two games the Celtics have not been able to play defense without fouling. Whether they are reaching in on drives, or their big men are not entirely certain on how to contest a shot without fouling, I fear this may become a problem. To make matters worse they again relied too much on jump shots which would be cool if they went in, but nope. Boston would shoot a stellar 42% and turn the ball over an additional four times. I am pretty sure at this point I was legit angry. Deep down I should know that the Spurs are on a different level than the Celts but I can’t help it.

I may or may not have been known to say how much Jae Crowder resembles Kawhi Leonard, but I think we saw in this third quarter how special Leonard is. He would do it all, scoring 13 points and really asserting himself on both ends of the floor, essentially killing any hope the Celts had. I do not care what needs to happen with this roster, but Trader Danny needs to write up that max offer sheet for this guy right this god damn second.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, despite a mini Celtics run, this game was never close. They would finish with a strong 39% shooting for the quarter, and that was that. Not to mention Marcus Smart would show why there were some questions about him coming out of OSU with a STUPID flagrant 2 and probable suspension. With Isaiah out the Celtics cannot afford plays like this, especially with how well Smart has been playing.

Terrible game from the jump, terrible effort, just not how you wanted to end your road trip. BUT, the basketball gods continue to look out for this team and their quest to make the postseason. Much like the OKC game earlier this week, with Indiana losing last night the Celtics remain in the 8th spot in the East. Very rarely can you lose two games in a row and not move down in the standings, especially when things are so close, but that is why this is a team of destiny.

Next up comes a date with the struggling Detroit Pistons at the Garden on Sunday, and if you ask me this is 100% a must win. Detroit is going no where, and if we hope to keep this final spot or even move up a few, you cannot drop this game.

Go Celtics.

P.S I forgot to include this in my previous post, but if you need someone to sit next to on this ride to Banner 18 you can find me at @dgreenbe