Perspective: 10 of Celts 15 losses against the best

[Bobshot]

It just shows they aren't there yet with the elite teams. Sure injuries are a factor, but they're a factor for other teams too. You have to have the depth to cover up a key injury. And I don't think they have it. Especially missing Horford for the first 8 games. That just showed how weak they are up front. If IT goes down, they are history. He has been carrying the team lately.

[celticsclay]

Two starters missing (Al and Jae) - GS, Cleveland

One starter missing (IT) - Tor, OKC, SAS

One starter missing (AB) - Tor

Other losses by points - SAS (6), Houston (1), OKC (5), Cleveland (8 )

Given our injuries and the context of us playing these teams early in the season around all of the injuries and during our difficult road-heavy schedule, this isn't too bad of a record. Including the injury games, the GS game was the only one that wasn't a close game in the final minutes. Hell, we technically shouldn't have lost to Houston because the refs' review screwed us over by wrongly reviewing AB's 3 as a 2, which would've made it a tie game.

If it wasn't for injuries, which also pushed back us developing chemistry, we probably take half of these games.

Also:  Amir missed most of the second half of the 2nd TOR game after turning his ankle.  That was a key turning point in that game, if you examine the DFGA stats.

Is this where the false equivalency of Patrick Patterson comes into play again? 

Lol I hope so. Or how the Raptors were screwed by missing Sully. Lol

[celticsclay]

Two starters missing (Al and Jae) - GS, Cleveland

One starter missing (IT) - Tor, OKC, SAS

One starter missing (AB) - Tor

Other losses by points - SAS (6), Houston (1), OKC (5), Cleveland (8 )

Given our injuries and the context of us playing these teams early in the season around all of the injuries and during our difficult road-heavy schedule, this isn't too bad of a record. Including the injury games, the GS game was the only one that wasn't a close game in the final minutes. Hell, we technically shouldn't have lost to Houston because the refs' review screwed us over by wrongly reviewing AB's 3 as a 2, which would've made it a tie game.

If it wasn't for injuries, which also pushed back us developing chemistry, we probably take half of these games.

I agree if we play these teams now at full strength we win a lot more. Lets look ahead and not back. We are actually only 3.5 games behind Cleveland!

[saltlover]

Two starters missing (Al and Jae) - GS, Cleveland

One starter missing (IT) - Tor, OKC, SAS

One starter missing (AB) - Tor

Other losses by points - SAS (6), Houston (1), OKC (5), Cleveland (8 )

Given our injuries and the context of us playing these teams early in the season around all of the injuries and during our difficult road-heavy schedule, this isn't too bad of a record. Including the injury games, the GS game was the only one that wasn't a close game in the final minutes. Hell, we technically shouldn't have lost to Houston because the refs' review screwed us over by wrongly reviewing AB's 3 as a 2, which would've made it a tie game.

If it wasn't for injuries, which also pushed back us developing chemistry, we probably take half of these games.

I agree if we play these teams now at full strength we win a lot more. Lets look ahead and not back. We are actually only 3.5 games behind Cleveland!

I hope we stay healthy for a week -- I'm really looking forward to the matchup against Houston next Wednesday.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Pretty sure all ball clubs struggle against these teams. Hence they being top of the league. Run the numbers for the last 15 losses of other contenders. Let us see where we really stand.

[Ilikesports17]

Two starters missing (Al and Jae) - GS, Cleveland

One starter missing (IT) - Tor, OKC, SAS

One starter missing (AB) - Tor

Other losses by points - SAS (6), Houston (1), OKC (5), Cleveland (8 )

Given our injuries and the context of us playing these teams early in the season around all of the injuries and during our difficult road-heavy schedule, this isn't too bad of a record. Including the injury games, the GS game was the only one that wasn't a close game in the final minutes. Hell, we technically shouldn't have lost to Houston because the refs' review screwed us over by wrongly reviewing AB's 3 as a 2, which would've made it a tie game.

If it wasn't for injuries, which also pushed back us developing chemistry, we probably take half of these games.

Also:  Amir missed most of the second half of the 2nd TOR game after turning his ankle.  That was a key turning point in that game, if you examine the DFGA stats.

Is this where the false equivalency of Patrick Patterson comes into play again? 

Lol I hope so. Or how the Raptors were screwed by missing Sully. Lol

The Raptors were without Sullinger and lost Patterson midway through the game. Now does that equate to Bradley + Johnson? No. but you still have to mention it. All context matters.

For example, we beat Utah without George Hill and Memphis without Conley. That's relevant too. In the same breath all those losses against Cleveland etc without crowder and horford need the relevant context just the same.

[BitterJim]

Pretty sure all ball clubs struggle against these teams. Hence they being top of the league. Run the numbers for the last 15 losses of other contenders. Let us see where we really stand.

The Raptors (who are likely the best comparison for us right now) are 2-8 vs CLE/GSW/SAS/HOU/LAC/OKC

[Moranis]

Pretty sure all ball clubs struggle against these teams. Hence they being top of the league. Run the numbers for the last 15 losses of other contenders. Let us see where we really stand.

The Raptors (who are likely the best comparison for us right now) are 2-8 vs CLE/GSW/SAS/HOU/LAC/OKC

and 2-0 vs. Boston.

[jpotter33]

Two starters missing (Al and Jae) - GS, Cleveland

One starter missing (IT) - Tor, OKC, SAS

One starter missing (AB) - Tor

Other losses by points - SAS (6), Houston (1), OKC (5), Cleveland (8 )

Given our injuries and the context of us playing these teams early in the season around all of the injuries and during our difficult road-heavy schedule, this isn't too bad of a record. Including the injury games, the GS game was the only one that wasn't a close game in the final minutes. Hell, we technically shouldn't have lost to Houston because the refs' review screwed us over by wrongly reviewing AB's 3 as a 2, which would've made it a tie game.

If it wasn't for injuries, which also pushed back us developing chemistry, we probably take half of these games.

who was missing from those other teams in those games?  I seem to recall SAS playing without Aldridge in one of the games, Toronto hasn't had Sullinger all year and was without Carroll in one of the games, JR Smith was out for the 2nd Cavs game, etc.

Major, major difference in missing a Sullinger, Smith, or even Carroll than missing IT or Al AND Jae for us. In every single instance, we had more of an impact of missing a guy than the opponent.

The only one that is close is Aldridge, but that was the Spurs game that IT missed, who is much more crucial to us than Aldridge is to them. Similarly, Carroll missed the game that IT missed, which is once again a major disadvantage to us still. And Sullinger for them doesn't equate to any of our guys, so I don't think this is a particularly strong argument that you are making.

[jpotter33]

Two starters missing (Al and Jae) - GS, Cleveland

One starter missing (IT) - Tor, OKC, SAS

One starter missing (AB) - Tor

Other losses by points - SAS (6), Houston (1), OKC (5), Cleveland (8 )

Given our injuries and the context of us playing these teams early in the season around all of the injuries and during our difficult road-heavy schedule, this isn't too bad of a record. Including the injury games, the GS game was the only one that wasn't a close game in the final minutes. Hell, we technically shouldn't have lost to Houston because the refs' review screwed us over by wrongly reviewing AB's 3 as a 2, which would've made it a tie game.

If it wasn't for injuries, which also pushed back us developing chemistry, we probably take half of these games.

I agree if we play these teams now at full strength we win a lot more. Lets look ahead and not back. We are actually only 3.5 games behind Cleveland!

I hope we stay healthy for a week -- I'm really looking forward to the matchup against Houston next Wednesday.

Unfortunately, it's on the second night of a back to back for us after what will most likely be a pretty tough game in Washington the night before, iirc.

[Bobshot]

They got beat by the Knicks tonite at home--not one of the elite teams. And without Porzingis. Couldn't take advantage of Toronto's loss to Philly.

Disturbing stats: IT scores 39, takes almost 30% of the shots. They get outrebounded almost 2-1 (by the Knicks?), which tells the story.

They can't win with IT taking so many shots. Plus getting so few rebounds. IT may make the all star team, but they are going nowhere with one guy taking so many shots. Better ball distribution is needed.

[Smokeeye123]

They got beat by the Knicks tonite at home--not one of the elite teams. Couldn't take advantage of Toronto's loss to Philly.

Disturbing stats: IT scores 39, takes almost 30% of the shots. They get outrebounded almost 2-1 (by the Knicks?), which tells the story.

They can't win with IT taking so many shots. Plus getting so few rebounds. IT may make the all star team, but they are going nowhere with one guy taking so many shots. Better ball distribution is needed.

But the thing is is that they have been. With Evan Turner gone they've needed someone to pick up the slack, and IT has done that.

If Horford doesn't go a putrid 2 for 14 we win the game.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Pretty sure all ball clubs struggle against these teams. Hence they being top of the league. Run the numbers for the last 15 losses of other contenders. Let us see where we really stand.

The Raptors (who are likely the best comparison for us right now) are 2-8 vs CLE/GSW/SAS/HOU/LAC/OKC

Not the same analysis. Who have the Raptors suffered their last 15 losses against? What of other contenders.