Category: .Analysis

Is the Boston Celtics’ 2024 NBA Eastern Conference finals series with the Indiana Pacers all but over?

Boston has a commanding 3-0 series lead over Indiana.

Is the Boston Celtics‘ 2024 NBA Eastern Conference finals series with the Indiana Pacers all but over? After the Celtics dug deep and fought their way out of an 18-point deficit in their 114-111 Game 3 win, Boston has a commanding 3-0 series lead over Indiana.

Add in the fact that it is looking very much like star Pacers point guard Tyrese Halliburton is not going to make it back to the court in this series after seeming to re-injure his left hamstring (the one that had him miss much of the 2023-24 NBA regular season) at the same time star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis is likely to return to action, and it seems a foregone conclusion that Game 4 will be the last of the 2024 East finals.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, spent some time to break down the context of the Celtics’ Game 3 win on a recent episode. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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How should we feel about the Boston Celtics’ 114-111 win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA’s 2024 East finals?

Why was Boston down 18 in the first place to a team without their best player?

How should we feel about the Boston Celtics’ 114-111 Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA’s 2024 Eastern Conference finals? With the victory, the Celtics find themselves holding a commanding 3-0 series lead against the Pacers thanks to that gutsy comeback from down 18 points.

But why was Boston down 18 in the first place to a team without their best player, as star Indiana floor general Tyrese Halliburton was out injured after re-aggravating his left hamstring in Game 2 of the series (the same one that had him out much of the 2023-24 NBA regular season)?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, reacted to the Game 3 win postgame. Check it out for yourself in the clip below.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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How defensive adjustments, increased physicality gave the Boston Celtics their Game 3 win vs. Pacers

With the win, the Celtics improved to a commanding 3-0 lead over the Pacers.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 114-111 in Game 3 at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse this past Saturday (May 25) night after trailing for much of the game and by as much as 18 points in the game. With the win, the Celtics improved to a commanding 3-0 lead over the Pacers in the NBA’s 2024 Eastern Conference finals series currently underway.

That Boston managed to hold Indiana to just 22.7% from beyond the arc and a total of just 22 3-point attempts is the most visible aspect of the win for the Celtics — and their poor defense in the first half explains the heroics that were necessary for the victory.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis, took a close look at the Game 3 victory for Boston and what could be coming in Game 4. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics complete comeback, beat Indiana Pacers 114-111 to take 3-0 series lead

Now, the series may end on the Pacers home floor for Game 4.

The Boston Celtics have taken a commanding 3-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference finals series at TD Garden this past Saturday (May 25) night. With the Celtics and the Pacers both down a key player in Kristaps Porzingis and Tyrese Haliburton, the Celtics flexed against a series of Indy haymakers in the game’s first half by bringing out the clamps in the second half.

Now, the series may end on the Pacers home floor for Game 4 of the series on Monday (May 27) night, especially if Porzingis is back in the fold for Boston once again.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a deep dive into the win and what it means for the series ahead. Check it out below.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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How will the rest of the Boston Celtics – Indiana Pacers East finals series go with no Tyrese Halliburton?

Even as well as Indiana played in Game 3 of the series sans Halliburton, one would be hard-pressed to find an Indy believer with no Halli.

How will the rest of the Boston Celtics – Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference finals series go with no Tyrese Halliburton? When the Pacers had Halli on the court, it actually looked like Indiana had a slim if real path to winning the series. But after he appeared to re-injure the same left hamstring that kept him out for much of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season in Game 2, doubts began to creep in as to whether the Pacers could pull off an upset.

Even as well as Indiana played in Game 3 of the series sans Halliburton, one would be hard-pressed to find an Indy believer in these Eastern Conference finals games still left to be played with no Halli.

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning and Noa Dalzell discussed this development from the Celtics shootaround on Saturday. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Lou WIlliams reveals the dirt on how Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum really get along

Williams recently shed some light on how tight the two Boston wings actually are off the court.

There has been entirely too much speculation about the relationship between star Boston Celtics forwards Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. But retired NBAer Lou Williams recently shed some light on how tight the two Boston wings actually are during an interview on FanDuel TV.

“I’ll open the curtain up, they absolutely do hang out,” said Williams (h/t Boston Dot Com’s Colin McCarthy. “I’ve been a person that’s been with them on several occasions, but they’re both private men. They don’t live these lives where cameras are following them everywhere … They’re private about their personal lives, they’re private about their families, they’re private about how they move.”

“I’ve seen them on a number of occasions, hanging out, being friends,” added Williams.

Of course, players do not NEED to be friends to succeed together on the basketball court.

But for those among us tired of hearing about how they supposedly do not care for each other all that much, this particular nugget is a nice data point to the contrary.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jaylen Brown’s attitude could be hurting his marketability according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith

Jaylen Brown’s attitude could be hurting his off-court marketability.

Jaylen Brown is among the best players in the NBA. The Boston Celtics All-Star has emerged as a genuine offensive weapon for Joe Mazzulla’s team and is arguably a top-20 player in the world. However, Brown is often overlooked by his peers, with the latest example being his exclusion from the 2024 All-NBA teams.

According to a source who messaged Stephen A. Smith during a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” Brown has an offputting attitude. His ‘I’m better than you’ demeanor hurts his reputation around the league and his marketability off the floor.

“I wanted to read to y’all what an NBA source just sent me,” Smith said. “He said, ‘Jaylen Brown. It’s not so much that he’s underrated. It’s that he just not liked because of his ‘I am better than you attitude.’ He knows it. It’s the same reason he is not as marketable as he should be.’ That’s what an NBA source just sent me.”

Irrespective of Brown’s perceived attitude issues, he has been a dominant force on both sides of the ball this season. He will likely feel aggrieved that he’s been overlooked for an All-NBA team.

Brown will likely get over his recent snubs and his apparent bad reputation within the NBA if he can help the Celtics secure a championship this season. After all, the best way to live up to an ‘I’m better than you’ mindset is to prove it by becoming a champion.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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The Boston Celtics need to win a championship to earn their respect

This Boston Celtics team will only be respected if they can finally win a championship.

The Boston Celtics currently lead their Eastern Conference finals series against the Indiana Pacers 2-0. They have dominated all year, ending the regular season with the best record in the NBA, and boast a 10-2 record in the postseason. However, the Celtics are still being discredited by the national media.

During an appearance on a May 24 episode of “The Dan Patrick Show,” Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated noted how the narrative currently surrounding the Celtics will only change if they win a championship. Boston has reached the conference finals in six of the last eight seasons. They’ve been to the NBA Finals on one occasion during that span, losing to the Golden State Warriors in 2022.

The Celtics are a more experienced team this season. They have also improved their overall talent with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis during the summer. They’re favorites to win the 2024 NBA championship as a result.

Nevertheless, Mannix is right. The Celtics will continue to be overlooked as a championship caliber roster until they finally get over the final hurdle. You an listen to his full segment by clicking on the embedded link above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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Is Jaylen Brown the Boston Celtics’ best player?

Kendrick Perkins believes that Jaylen Brown is the best player on the Boston Celtics roster.

Jaylen Brown exploded for a 40-point performance as the Boston Celtics secured their second straight win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday (May 23). His impressive performance came hot on the heels of being snubbed in the All-NBA voting process. Furthermore, Brown’s performance helped the Celtics continue working toward a potential spot in the NBA Finals.

When speaking on a recent episode of ESPN’s “NBA Today,” former Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins declared that Brown is the best player on Boston’s roster. The debate between Brown and Jayson Tatum has been raging for years and often overlooks the value the pair bring to the table as the best wing duo in the NBA.

Nevertheless, Brown is enjoying the best season of his career. He’s thriving as an interior and mid-range scorer and has emerged as an elite on-ball defender against some of the most talented players in the NBA.

In truth, it doesn’t matter who the best player on the Celtics roster is. What matters is that everyone is working toward the bigger goal and sacrificing for the team.

You can hear Perkins’ comments in full by clicking on the embedded link above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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Grading Boston Celtics players in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference finals series v.s the Indiana Pacers

Which players earned the best and worst marks on the roster for their play in the Game 2 win?

The Boston Celtics now find themselves with a 2-0 lead in their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference finals series with the Indiana Pacers after beating Indiana 126-110 in Game 2 of the series this past Thursday (May 23) night at TD Garden, thanks to a huge game from star forward Jaylen Brown.

If we were handing out grades for individual Celtics players in Game 2, who would get what sort of marks? Are there players that might get an ‘A’? Did anyone do poorly enough to get an ‘F’? And which players earned the best and worst marks on the roster for their play in the Game 2 win?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, did their best to fill out Game 2 report cards on their most recent episode. Check it out for yourself below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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