Analysis – Page 636 – Syndication Server

A Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Clippers NBA Finals? Per one analyst, it could be on the way

“This particular matchup in a seven-game series would be extremely tight,” writes The Ringer’s Michael Pina.

While it might feel a tad bit early to some to start prognosticating which teams will be in the 2023 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics are the early favorites in Las Vegas to win it all, so adding an opponent for them to play against is not exactly the biggest of leaps.

And if there is a team as deep as the Celtics in the league’s Western Conference, it is the Los Angeles Clippers, who, along with Boston, are the pick of The Ringer’s Michael Pina to reach the 2023 finals in a recent article.

“These two contenders mirror each other,” he suggests. “They’re comically deep, endlessly versatile, and stocked with the world’s premier two-way wings.”

Most covered the team for all but one of their titles. https://t.co/PnxKynv28y

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 18, 2022

“This particular matchup in a seven-game series would be extremely tight, but tie goes to whoever employs a healthy Kawhi Leonard,” says the Ringer analyst of the potential outcome of such a matchup.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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Why didn’t Boston’s Grant Williams get an extension done with the Celtics?

As counterintuitive as it might seem from a casual glance at the situation, there are actually some very good reasons for both the Celtics and Williams to wait on getting a new contract signed.

Why did both sides elect to wait on a rookie scale extension for Boston Celtics reserve forward Grant Williams? The Celtics might find themselves paying much more for the former Tennessee player’s next contract as a result of letting Williams get to restricted free agency. And the former Vol assumes the risk of losing money due to a bad season or injury.

As counterintuitive as it might seem from a casual glance at the situation, there are actually some very good reasons for both the Celtics and Williams to wait on getting a new contract signed by the Charlotte native.

On a recent episode of the Athletic “Game Theory” podcast, host Sam Vecenie and guest Danny Leroux take a deep dive into why players such as Williams choose to bet on themselves by skipping rookie scale extensions.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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Wyc Grousbeck is running the Boston Celtics like a fan

We’re way over the tax, so what’s the difference?” said Grousbeck in his interview regarding the potential financial impact of the ball club as the team tries to put together a roster capable of hanging the long-elusive Banner 18.

Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck is running his team the way a fan might based on some of his recent comments while calling in to talk to the hosts of the WEEI “Greg Hill” show. The Boston co-Governor seems unworried about the cost of his contender heading into the 2022-23 NBA season.

“We’re way over the tax, so what’s the difference?” said Grousbeck in his interview regarding the potential financial impact of the ball club as the team tries to put together a roster capable of hanging the long-elusive Banner 18. Grousbeck and company also talk about the summer trade rumors, Joe Mazzulla coaching the team (and Brad Stevens NOT coaching the team), the wrinkles of a turbulent offseason and more.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what the Celtics co-owner had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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Boston Celtics at Miami Heat: How to watch, broadcast, lineups (10/21)

Everything you need to know ahead of Boston’s second game of 2022-23 against the Miami Heat on Friday.

Game 2 of the Boston Celtics’ 2022-23 campaign arrives on Friday night as the Cs make the trip to Florida to face their 2022 Eastern Conference Finals foes, the Miami Heat. Both teams still have plenty to prove regarding offseason criticisms and of course the reprisal of the dogfight they last saw one another in that each squad hasn’t yet forgetten.

If you happen to be looking for a way to watch the action live on cable television or an online streaming service, keep reading while we get you up to speed on everything you need to know about the game.

Let’s begin with who ought to be available to play.

Celtics Lab 148: Getting to know Paolo Banchero and other high-impact 2022-23 rookies with Cody Taylor https://t.co/bm0VK4QhwH

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 21, 2022

Lakers player grades: LeBron James and crew lose to Clippers

The Lakers fought hard versus the Clippers on Thursday, but they had too many deficiencies and ended up falling short.

Two days after dropping the first game of their regular season to the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers looked to rebound versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

In some ways, the Lakers got vastly outplayed, as they got outrebounded 58-38 and shot just 35.1 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from 3-point range.

However, despite falling behind by double-digits twice, they were competitive, as they made the Clippers huff and puff to come away with a 103-97 win.

Once again, the outside shot was the Lakers’ downfall. On the other hand, they played spurts of strong defense, as they forced 21 turnovers and held the Clippers to 31.0 percent shooting from downtown.

The Purple and Gold had a chance to win by getting out and running in spurts to the tune of 15 fast-break points. But the team’s lack of outside shooting and frontcourt size and length ultimately resulted in a loss.

Celtics Lab 148: Getting to know Paolo Banchero and other high-impact 2022-23 rookies with Cody Taylor

This week, we talk about the new faces entering the league like Keegan Murray, Jaden Ivey, and Bennedict Mathurin who might surprise the Celtics a bit in their new homes around the league.

The Boston Celtics passed with flying colors the first test of their 2022-23 campaign on opening night against the Philadelphia 76ers. But they immediately headed to Florida, where they will have another challenge against the Miami Heat.

After that, the intensity level will drop. However, with potential Rookie of the Year candidate Paolo Banchero joining EuroLeague sensation Franz Wagner and a talented supporting cast, the Magic will likely no longer be a “gimme” win for Boston or the rest of the league.

To talk about the new faces entering the league, including Keegan Murray, Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin, who might surprise the Celtics a bit in their new homes around the league, we brought on Rookie Wire’s Cody Taylor to get us up to speed on which rookie players Boston and their fans ought to have on their radar for 2022-23.

Join your usual hosts Alex Goldberg, Justin Quinn and Cameron Tabatabaie as we dive into Boston’s season opener, the state of Timelord’s knee rehab, and the rest of the NBA news now that the regular season is finally back.

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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Celtics president Brad Stevens reveals nothing has changed on Timelord’s timeline to return

Speaking on a local radio show, the Boston president of basketball ops pushed back against recent reporting Williams might be out longer.

Despite concerning phrasing suggesting that Boston Celtics big man Robert Williams III might not return to the team until the second half of the season by The Athletic’s Shams Charania this week, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens assured the hosts of “Toucher and Rich” the eight to 12-week timetable Boston expected Timelord back by holds.

“Sept. 22 is when he had the surgery,” said Stevens. “Eight to 12 weeks from there, as is the timeline that we put out.” The Celtics president emphasized Williams’ health as being paramount. “That is really to make sure that we go at the right pace with him, and to make sure he feels really good.”

“His rehab has gone well,” added Stevens. “He seems to be doing well, but we’re not going to rush him.”

By now we are all quite familiar with what the Celtics’ strengths are — how about where they are weak? https://t.co/V7ZKYLwWP0

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 20, 2022

“In the meantime, you can see how we’re going to have to — by committee — fill those minutes that he has, but nobody can fill them like him,” suggested the Celtics executive.

“He’s a game changer, with his ability to block shots and be around and be dissuading around the rim. I really think that he unlocked a lot for us offensively with that ability to get the lob game going.”

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’s Derrick White impressed with the depth of the Celtics this season

“I think that’s the beauty of this team,” White said. “You have a lot of guys who can have a big night.”

Guard Derrick White started against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Boston Celtics’ opener on Tuesday. But with the team likely to try different coverages against different teams this season, he might come off the bench as well.

Speaking with the media after practice on Wednesday, the Colorado native shed some light on what it was like playing for Boston with that dynamic in play for much of the team’s roster.

“You’ve got to be locked in and ready when your name is called,” he explained via CLNS. “I think that’s the beauty of this team. You have a lot of guys who can have a big night. (Jayson Tatum) and (Jaylen Brown), but it could be anybody.”

By now we are all quite familiar with what the Celtics’ strengths are — how about where they are weak? https://t.co/V7ZKYLwWP0

— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 20, 2022

“Sam (Hauser) … Payton (Pritchard), we’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of guys who can do great things,” added the Celtics combo guard.

Though we have not seen much of Hauser and none of Pritchard so far, with Boston likely seeking to rest players whenever possible in the 2022-23 campaign to save their legs for the 2023 NBA Playoffs, a big night for either might not be far off.

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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In NBA debut for rookies, Stephen Silas impressed by Rockets’ fight

Stephen Silas on Houston’s regular-season opener: “This is our fifth game together, so we were disjointed a little bit, but I love our fight and our competitiveness.”

ATLANTA — The Houston Rockets (0-1) dropped their 2022-23 NBA regular-season opener to the Atlanta Hawks (1-0), 117-107. They looked much more proficient than in their opening game in Minnesota a year ago and were competitive to the end.

Houston looked uncertain at times while trying to get the right combinations on the floor. That uncertainty led to 16 turnovers and 28 fast-break points for the Hawks. As the season continues, head coach Stephen Silas believes the continuity will improve as players find each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Multiple times I sat down and told my assistants that we are so young,” Silas said. “We made some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to 28 points for them. Also, this is our fifth game together, so we were disjointed a little bit, but I love our fight and our competitiveness.”

Silas wasn’t the only one impressed by how the young Rockets team played on Wednesday night. Hawks head coach Nate McMillan commended Houston for never giving in, even though they were down on numerous occasions by double digits.

“Houston was a serious challenge, and we knew they would be,” McMillian said. “Their ability to put four guards out on the court and they can attack and create their own offense. If you are collapsing too much, they can burn you with the 3-pointers. We knew that this would be a tough game.”

ROOKIE REVIEW

Jabari Smith Jr. gave the Rockets a glimpse of what he could do, finishing with 17 points and 7 rebounds in 33 minutes. Although he went 3-for-11 from the 3-point line (27.3%), Smith gained excellent looks at the basket when guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green drove the lane and kicked the ball back to him.

Smith, 19, looked very comfortable during the second quarter when he was on the court with second-year center Alperen Sengun.

“He is very unselfish and great at what he does,” Smith said of Sengun.

Forward Tari Eason also made his regular-season debut. It went according to expectations, based on what the coaches and fans have seen from Eason since he played in his first summer league game in Las Vegas.

The former SEC Sixth Man of the Year out of LSU collected 8 points and 7 rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. He split time with KJ Martin and Garrison Matthews, since forward Jae’Sean Tate remains out with an ankle injury.

Fellow rookie TyTy Washington, a guard out of Kentucky, remains out indefinitely with a left knee sprain.

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PFF: Bills offensive line ranked No. 22 at bye week

PFF: #Bills offensive line ranked No. 22 at bye week:

The Buffalo Bills offensive line has left a bit to be desired heading into their bye week.

Pro Football Focus has reflected that in their latest team-by-team rankings. Through six games and heading into the bye, the Bills landed at the No. 22 overall spot.

PFF makes some strong points regarding the struggles the team has had rushing the ball. However, there is reason for optimism.

Over the last two games combined, the Bills have essentially turned the running back position over to Devin Singletary. He has averaged six yards per carry in those games combined. The O-line is a big reason for that.

Still, the football analytics outlet was a bit tough. Here’s PFF’s breakdown on Buffalo’s offensive line:

22. BUFFALO BILLS (DOWN 3)
Projected Week 7 Starters:
LT Dion Dawkins
LG Rodger Saffold
C Mitch Morse
RG Ryan Bates
RT Spencer Brown

• Facing Chris Jones this past week saw several Bills linemen earn rough grades, with both guards earning pass-blocking marks of 27.8 or lower.

• Four of the five starters have allowed at least 10 pressures on the season, and all have below-average run-blocking grades.

Upcoming Opponent: BYE

Player-by-player, here’s how PFF has individually graded the Bills’ offensive line:

LT Dion Dawkins: 72.9
LG Rodger Saffold: 40.2
C Mitch Morse: 59.5
RG Ryan Bates: 56.4
RT Spencer Brown: 61.9

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