Tag: 2024 East finals

The Indiana Pacers are a real test for the Boston Celtics

The Pacers can pour on paints in a hurry if you don’t stay focused.

The Indiana Pacers are a real test for the Boston Celtics, who can damage an opposing ball club in a hurry if the pace gets out of control or defensive focus lapses more than a few possessions. On the latest edition of “The Garden Report” podcast from CLNS Media’s East Boston Studios, CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning and Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell react to the Pacers’ victory over the New York Knicks to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

They discuss the Celtics’ upcoming matchup against the Pacers and whether Boston needs star big man Kristaps Porzingis for the series. They also analyze Tyrese Haliburton’s inconsistency, the challenges Boston might face without Porzingis, and whether Indiana poses a real test for the Celtics.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Will the Indiana Pacers be quick work for the Boston Celtics?

Does Boston need injured star big man Kristaps Porzingis to handle Indiana?

Will the Indiana Pacers be quick work for the Boston Celtics? The Pacers played the Celtics 3-2 during the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season including the league’s new in-season tournament, giving them one more game than the most they usually play the Pacers, who have already sent the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks home.

Does Boston need injured star big man Kristaps Porzingis to handle Indiana? Do the Pacers have a shot at beating Boston? The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Beat” podcast, Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti, sat down with the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, who joins the program to break down the Eastern Conference Finals.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Will the Boston Celtics need Kristaps Porzingis in the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Indiana Pacers?

Does Indiana present specific challenges he will be needed for?

Will the Boston Celtics need Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis in the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Indiana Pacers? The Celtics survived much of their first round series with the Miami Heat and their entire Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers without the star center’s services. Can they weather the Pacers sans KP, or does Indiana present specific challenges he will be needed for?

The eponymous host of the CLNS Media “Cedric Maxwell” podcast weighed in on the topic while discussing the East semis series vs. the Pacers and the New York Knicks with cohost Josue Pavon. 

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear Max’s opinion on the necessity of KP’s presence in the next round.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Will the Boston Celtics be tested in the 2024 Eastern Conference finals?

For many fans of the Boston Celtics, the real season does not start until the team is in the 2024 Eastern Conference finals.

For many fans of the Boston Celtics, the real season does not start until the team is in the 2024 Eastern Conference finals. And now the Celtics are in the East finals with their opponent known. That would be the Indiana Pacers, who just got done beating up on the depleted New York Knicks in the other Eastern Conference semifinals series. 

The Celtics have not exactly been facing a murderer’s row on their way to the East semis either, however, which has generated a decent amount of weird criticism. On this episode of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, hosts Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis discuss the lack of full-strength teams the Celtics have played thus far. 

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

The Celtics need to manage Al Horford’s minutes in the conference finals

The Boston Celtics need to manage Al Horford’s playing time throughout the remainder of the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics are heading into the Eastern Conference Finals. Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss the opening few games as he recovers from a right soleus strain. As such, Al Horford will continue as Boston’s starting big man. Luke Kornet will likely be the backup center off the bench.

However, Joe Mazzulla must be careful with how much he leans on Horford. The veteran center is closing in on his 38th birthday. He’s shown signs of slowing down in recent weeks. His explosive performance in game five of Boston’s second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers was the exception, not the rule.

In the latest episode of the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast, host Adam Taylor discussed the importance of keeping Horford fresh throughout the postseason. The Celtics have Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta on their roster. They have enough depth at the center position to keep Horford’s minutes within a manageable range.

You can watch the full episode 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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387045]

New Kristaps Porzingis injury update for the Boston Celtics

We still do not have a date for KP’s return to the court, but we do have a clearer picture of when he may return.

Fans of the Boston Celtics have been waiting with bated breath for an update about the health status of star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis ever since the Latvian center went down with an injured right soleus in the Celtics’ first round series with the Miami Heat.

And while we still do not have a date for KP’s return to the court with Boston in the Celtics’ 2024 Eastern Conference finals series vs. the winner of the New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference semifinals series, we do have a clearer picture of when Porzingis may return. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that KP will miss Games 1 and 2, but could return some time in the series.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look at the situation 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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

The Boston Celtics still have yet to play their best basketball

We’ve seen the Celtics play at a higher level than they have for much of the season, and certainly more so than they have in the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics still have yet to play their best basketball. We have seen the Celtics play at a higher level than they have for much of this season, and certainly more so than they have in the 2024 NBA Playoffs that we have seen to date.

So while there may indeed be a glut of mostly unreasonable criticism of the team and its players, there is also a reason to point to for having such high expectations. They had the best record in the 2023-24 regular season, have had a historic offense and elite defense, and currently own the best record in the 2024 postseason.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis, recently weighed in on how Boston has played in the postseason. 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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

What would an Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics Eastern Conference finals look like?

What would Boston be facing in this scenario?

What would an Indiana Pacers – Boston Celtics Eastern Conference finals look like? To find out, CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning welcomes Scott Agness to the “Garden Report” podcast before the New York Knicks – Pacers Game 6 to talk about what an Indiana-Boston East finals would look like.

The Pacers played the Celtics tough during the regular season, beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and have challenged New York in the second round. They’ve gotten inconsistent play from Tyrese Haliburton, strong Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner minutes, while Pascal Siakam joined the team at the trade deadline and brought championship experience. Boston gets a week off before the East finals with Kristaps Porzingis’ status uncertain.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear their talk!

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Which of the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers is a better East finals matchup for the Celtics?

We have yet to learn who the Celtics’ opponent in the Eastern Conference finals will be between the Knicks and the Pacers.

Even after 6 games of their Eastern Conference semifinals series, we have yet to learn who the Boston Celtics’ opponent in the Eastern Conference finals will be between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. While we wait for a decisive Game 7 on Sunday (May 19), we can look back on the series to date to determine which of the two ball clubs is a better matchup for the Celtics.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, and Josue Pavon, linked up with Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell to talk all things Knicks or Pacers in the East finals.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about which team they prefer Boston to play in the next round.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

Woj: Kristaps Porzingis to miss Games 1, 2 of Celtics’ Eastern Conference finals

Porzingis will miss at least Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Fans of the Boston Celtics have been waiting for an update on the potential return of star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis for the better half of a month now. And while they may not yet have a concrete timetable for his return to the court, they are also getting close to one.

According to recent reporting from ESPN senior analyst Adrian Wojnarowski, Porzingis will miss at least Games 1 and 2 of their Eastern Conference finals series vs. the winner of the New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference semifinals series currently unfolding. Per Woj, “there’s optimism he’ll be able to return sometime in the series — barring any setbacks” in his recovery.

“Porzingis has been making progress in his recovery from a soleus strain of his right calf, ramping up his on-court activity for an anticipated return in the conference finals, but still needs more time for a return to play,” writes the ESPN reporter.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]