In a surprising twist the Celtics did not blow the lead against the worst team in the league.
If they Celtics could play the Rockets every night, they might be an NBA finals favorite. I say might be because I’m still not convinced. The beginning of that game looked like the same bullshit we have seen from these guys for most of the season. Lackadaisical attitude and one on one Basketball. Not a lick of energy on defense and just rolling through the motions on offense settling for garbage shots.
And I’m sorry I can not stand watching Tatum’s body language on the court. He embodies the way this team plays when it is playing it’s worst kind of basketball. Like the game is just beneath him. It’s infuriating. And this is not for lack of trying on my part. I so badly want to like Tatum. I so badly want to be okay with the way he carries himself on the court. And guess what? I will be if he starts leading his team to wins and at least to their expectations. The under achieving makes it incredibly difficult to be okay with the “Duke Swagger.”
With all that being said, welcome back Marcus Smart. Marcus Smart and Time Lord off the bench turned the game around and lit a spark on the team. The C’s went on something like a 30 - 8 point run and never looked back. The funny thing about this game and the situation the Celtics are in? There is no Marcus Smart Quagmire. Look at this stat line. 19 min. 0 pts. 3 asst. 5 Rebs. Perfect. Outside of maybe Time Lord he was the biggest reason you took the lead the way you did and kept it.
I think you have to be good and put into high pressure 4th quarter situations for the Quagmire to appear. Right now Marcus Smart is a plus positive because he is the type of player who doesn’t allow the dregs of the league to hang around in games because “I’m Jayson Tatum and you are supposed to lose to me”. Smart defeats these teams through the strength of his game which is hustle and intensity and I did not think I would be saying this when the season started, but thank god for Marcus Smart. And Robert Williams for that matter.
If Robert Williams looked like a cut above the rest out there, it’s because he was. Literally. I don’t think the Rockets employ a player over 6’3”. The Celtics had 60 points in the paint to the Rockets 32 and out rebounded them 55 - 37. That’s not to take away from The Lord. On his day of Day Light Savings he certainly delivered and has shown a lot growth in his game this year. Both him and Smart bring the much needed intensity to the court that the J’s lack and they have the talent to compete.
Next up is the NBA best Utah Jazz. Full Quagmire mode.
