Better offense without Thomas?

[Moranis]

Obviously still down by a lot but the offense seems better overall. More ball movement, better looks, etc. So is this a one time thing or is the team more cohesive without the ball dominant scorer on it.

[hpantazo]

If your comparing this half to the 3-4 games we played with a crippled IT maybe. With a healthy IT, no way.

[86MaxwellSmart]

a ONE Legged Thomas....for sure.

[Neurotic Guy]

I think the first 2 games we've been watching the Celtics with the ball dominant tiny no-defense guy at <70% of his offensive capability.  I am a no-max for IT guy, but clearly this Celtics team is a much better team with a full strength IT than without.  He is a phenomenal talent that they can't compensate for despite the better effort. 

BTW, they are still down 16 at the half which in any other context would be considered an ugly half-time deficit.  By comparison to Game 2, we are downright competitive.  But really, Cavs have not allowed the C's to be under a 3 possession game sine the early stages of the 1st quarter.  Cavs are dominating the IT-less Celtics just a little less than they dominated the IT at 70% C's.

[Moranis]

I think the first 2 games we've been watching the Celtics with the ball dominant tiny no-defense guy at <70% of his offensive capability.  I am a no-max for IT guy, but clearly this Celtics team is a much better team with a full strength IT than without.  He is a phenomenal talent that they can't compensate for despite the better effort. 

BTW, they are still down 16 at the half which in any other context would be considered an ugly half-time deficit.  By comparison to Game 2, we are downright competitive.  But really, Cavs have not allowed the C's to be under a 3 possession game sine the early stages of the 1st quarter.  Cavs are dominating the IT-less Celtics just a little less than they dominated the IT at 70% C's.

Boston is playing terrible defense but I do think the offense has been better.  Plenty of open looks and no one just standing around while Thomas does his thing.  Thomas is a great scorer but he isn't much of a facilitator or passer

[Moranis]

Still maintain the offense was better despite Cleveland being unable to hit the broad side of a barn in the second half.

[guava_wrench]

Better offense without injured Thomas, yes.

[liam]

Better offense without injured Thomas, yes.

Yes, without hurt IT! The Celtics got IT's back!!!

[CelticsElite]

Anyone else have deja vu? Replace the word "Thomas" with "rondo" in title

[PhoSita]

Eh, don't try too hard to draw conclusions from tonight.

LeBron was tired, the Cavs played without urgency, Smart caught fire.

The Celts are better with Thomas. Let's not over think it.

Just enjoy this unlikely win. We can bask in the glow of that between now and the draft.

[KGBirdBias]

Great win...I'm eating crow. I thought that game was over. Very very impressive win.

[guava_wrench]

I was skeptical when another poster said Smart was our best facilitator a while ago, but he has made some nice passes since then. Tonight I felt I got a taste of what he could be if given the keys to the car.

Worst case, he just improved his trade value drastically.

[Casperian]

Eh, don't try too hard to draw conclusions from tonight.

LeBron was tired, the Cavs played without urgency, Smart caught fire.

The Celts are better with Thomas. Let's not over think it.

Just enjoy this unlikely win. We can bask in the glow of that between now and the draft.

Is that your new catchphrase?

[ETNCeltics]

I think Lebron phoned it in, and our guys stepped up and showed some pride tonight.

I do think that AB and Marcus played better on offense, at least to a small degree, because they didn't have to cover for IT's defensive inadequacies.

In any event...GO CELTS!!!!!

[Tr1boy]

defense won the game tonight + Smart and Horford top performances

of course this unit is better defensively without IT4