I'd rather play Orlando, because their defense is better. The Celtics need prep for Minnesota or Denver's defense, and Orlando is the closest. The Magic are bad enough offensively that the Celtics would very likely win while getting that practice.
2024 Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round: (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (5) Orlando Magic
- Thread starter InstaFace
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He showed pretty well against the Celts. I remember him as a force in the making.
I can’t decide what I am rooting for, and the game is so awful that I am contemplating whether to keep watching to develop an opinion.
Cleveland really doesn't want to have to play us next round.
But I hope they do, because I could probably go to one of the games there.
But I hope they do, because I could probably go to one of the games there.
Lean Cleveland (less “upside”) but pretty indifferent - Celtics just need to take care of business either way
Cleveland is just a mess. Disjointed, stupid shots, and playing with what seems like low energy, too.
It's Game 7.
It's Game 7.
This exactly. Got distracted by some birds outside the window a moment ago.
Celts won 2 of 3 from Magic this year, but Orlando kicked Celts ass last year and with winning the first game this year, had won 4 of 5 games. If this comes to be, this could be a tougher series than some imagine.
I think it would be tougher, but in a good way. As I said above, it's the best simulation of Minnesota you can get, and they are the toughest remaining defense.
EDIT: good prep for the Knicks, too.
The refs are suspect right now. Weird calls, nailing Cleveland for everything, Magic for nothing.
Maybe. But the Knicks are physical and the Celts might be al ittle too tenderized if they get to the Finals
Just saw your edit.
agreed. Really unbalanced calls here. Guessing Orlando’s pressure D getting the Heat “only call if it’s more than usual” treatment
Not a great challenge, I don’t think. There is value I guess in the refs seeing they are being ticky tack, but there was contact.
yeah that was a “we all know you’re screwing us” challenge not about the actual play
It seems like if that is the level of contact needed for a foul, Tatum will have approx 173 ft per game
I have a similar issue… actually have free tix to Cavs/Celtics in Cleveland if I want to deal with getting myself there.
Not to jinx it, but even if Cleveland comes back today, I might be better off waiting a round.
This game has no flow and really low entertainment value so far. Refs just slowing everything down.
Also, Orlando could get called all game. I just meant there was obviously enough contact for letting the call stand. But the Cavs have gotten some calls since. So maybe it was a good challenge.
Maybe not the best month for my "Banchero will better than SGA and Ant" take, but not for lack of effort and production on his part.
He needs to add a more efficient way of scoring to become that guy, but he's a good playmaker for his age, and the defensive potential is really there.
Btw, when I say that Orlando is good prep as opposed to Cleveland, it's not (just) cope: I mean that the remainder of Boston's opponents are a bit more like Orlando in ways that matter, and less like Cleveland.
If Cleveland gives Boston a hard time, it will be because jitterbug scorers go off, and there are multiple of them on the floor at once. No one else really has that in the same way, except maybe OKC/Dallas. Brunson is that, but he's just one guy, and you can load up on him more.
If Cleveland gives Boston a hard time, it will be because jitterbug scorers go off, and there are multiple of them on the floor at once. No one else really has that in the same way, except maybe OKC/Dallas. Brunson is that, but he's just one guy, and you can load up on him more.
UGH.
Modern hoops pisses me off.
Look, I love the three pointer. When I played, I liked to shoot a lot of them. I find Curry’s threes a thing of beauty.
But dammit is the game warped now.
Twice in the last five minutes, Orlando drove the ball — had a clear fucking path to the hoop — and the player threw the ball to a shooter behind the three point line.
It’s gotten bad enough that the defense is actually giving up part of the lane so that they can close on shooter.
It’s MADDENING.
Modern hoops pisses me off.
Look, I love the three pointer. When I played, I liked to shoot a lot of them. I find Curry’s threes a thing of beauty.
But dammit is the game warped now.
Twice in the last five minutes, Orlando drove the ball — had a clear fucking path to the hoop — and the player threw the ball to a shooter behind the three point line.
It’s gotten bad enough that the defense is actually giving up part of the lane so that they can close on shooter.
It’s MADDENING.
I predict Mo Wagner will make the top 10, possibly the top 5, of my "most odious opponent" list if we have to see him 4 to 7 times in a row....
Pretty fun game. Cleveland has nothing offensively outside of Mitchell, but right now that's enough.
DDB Jr. and I having a debate. I say Orlando has two overall number 1 picks. He says Fultz isn’t a legit number 1 pick, that it’s Tatum. He’s actually smarter than I am, but clearly also an idiot.
Been going back and forth on "orlando better odds of winning if celts are lazy" vs "cleveland better odds of winning if celts are not lazy".
But given the celts won't be lazy (if they are, it doesn't matter who they play); the issue is the next series(es).
Limiting how much you get roughed up it a good idea, and orlando is going to be more physical. Hence Cleveland.
That said; your point is interesting... but is the tuning up worth the risk of being more worn out?
BTW: how is Tristan Thompson only 33 years old?
Pretty sure he’s been in the league longer than that.
While I want no part of Mitchell in the next round, I’ve reconsidered — Orlando plays out of control, and I don’t want our guys getting hurt.