Tag: 2024 nba playoffs

The Boston Celtics NBA Finals and 2024 Postseason Awards Show

With Banner 18 finally hung in the City of Boston, there are plenty of hardware recipients to be had.

Another Boston Celtics playoff series has ended, which means it’s time for the First to the Floor End-of-Series awards show! Not only that, the hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, are handing out awards for the Celtics’ entire postseason, and highlighting every player’s best moment of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

With Banner 18 finally hung in the City of Boston, there are plenty of hardware recipients to be had in this edition of the FTTF awards show, so strap in and relax while they cue up the trophies.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about who ought to get what honors for being a member of the Celtics organization this season.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” 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]

How the Celtics can control Game 5 and win Banner 18

The Boston Celtics will be crowned as NBA Champions if they win Monday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at the TD Garden.

The Boston Celtics can close out their NBA Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks with a win on Monday (June 17). Boston suffered an uncharacteristically bad defeat at the hands of the Mavericks on Friday (June 14) and will undoubtedly want to avoid letting Dallas gain any more momentum.

Kristaps Porzingis’ availability remains a mystery. He is currently listed as “questionable,” with his participation in Game 5 likely to be a game-time decision. Nevertheless, Boston should have enough talent to overcome Dallas if Joe Mazzulla’s team sticks to its game plan, which is something it didn’t do on Friday.

In the latest episode of the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast, Adam Taylor discusses the three keys that could help the Celtics overcome a tough Dallas team. All the Celtics need is one more win to end a dominant season on a high note by raising another championship banner into the rafters of the TD Garden.

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]

Kyrie Irving opens up on expectations of playing for the Celtics

Kyrie Irving has accepted the blame for the disastrous ending to his Boston Celtics career.

Kyrie Irving’s tenure with the Boston Celtics didn’t go to plan. He left the franchise under a cloud after verbally committing his future to the team before bolting to the Brooklyn Nets the following summer. Since then, Irving has endured a tenuous relationship with Celtics fans and consistently receives a hostile welcome at the TD Garden.

When speaking to the media on Sunday (June 16), Irving discussed the pressure that comes with representing the Celtics. He admitted that his relationship with the fan base is down to his handling of the situation. However, he did note that he still has friends within the organization.

“That’s what they expect you to do as a player,” Irving said. “They expect you to seamlessly buy into the Celtics’ pride, buy into everything Celtics. And if you don’t, then you’ll be outed. I’m one of the people that’s on the outs (laughing). I’m perfectly fine with that, you know what I mean. I did it to myself. They don’t welcome me with a warm embrace, even though I know a lot of people in the organization and I’m friends still with some of them.”

Irving is currently trying to beat the Celtics to an NBA Championship. His Dallas Mavericks team is heading back to Boston for a potential win-or-go-home Game 5. Boston leads the series 3-1. 

Since joining Dallas, Irving has emerged as a veteran leader. He is showing the type of commitment that Boston fans had hoped for when he was suiting up for the team. Nevertheless, Celtics fans will undoubtedly love to send Irving into the summer without a championship ring.

Boston is one game away from raising Banner 18. The hope will be that they can etch their names into the history books on Monday. 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]

On riding the Boston Celtics rollercoaster of emotions one last time after Games 3 and 4

The full Celtics experience of the last few years was on full display.

The Boston Celtics have been something of a rollercoaster over the last few seasons, and Games 3 and 4 of their 2024 NBA Finals series vs. the Dallas Mavericks was something like a replica of that experience. From as close to one can get to the high of winning a title without actually doing so to the crash of being blown out by the team you celebrated the demise of prematurely, the full Celtics experience of the last few years was on full display over the last few days,

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took some time after the dust of Game 4 had settled to talk through their thoughts about that wild ride and what to expect in Game 5.

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]

Joe Mazzulla calls for a better effort on the glass ahead of Game 5

Joe Mazzulla wasn’t impressed with the Boston Celtics work on the defensive glass during their loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Boston Celtics struggled to control the glass during their Game 4 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday (June 14). The Celtics were out-hustled for second-chance opportunities 31-52. As such, Dallas was able to control the tempo and flow of the game, leaving Boston trying to play catchup throughout the contest.

Following Boston’s first loss of the NBA Finals, Joe Mazzulla addressed the Mavericks’ dominant rebounding performance during his postgame news conference. Mazzulla also called on his team to show improvement on the boards ahead of Game 5 in Boston on Monday (June 17), where his team could potentially close out the series.

“Anytime there’s two-on-ones and little indecisions, they do a great job cutting behind you and wedging under and getting in,” Mazzulla said. “I thought Lively was great in that. We had 26 misses in the first half and only 2 offensive rebounds, and they had more. So we’ve got to be better in our defensive rebounding, and we have to be better getting offensive rebounds when we miss.”

Kristaps Porzingis’ absence due to injury has undoubtedly hindered Boston’s ability to protect the rim and control the defensive glass. However, they must find a way to secure rebounds, regardless of whether the veteran big man is on the floor or not.

The Celtics will be playing for the chance to secure an 18th championship trophy on Monday. Porzignis’ availability will likely be day-to-day as he continues to recover.

Nevertheless, Mazzulla’s team will undoubtedly be looking to improve their rebounding performance as they look to end their season on the strongest note possible.

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=590969558 tag=648387045]

Celtics to approach Game 5 with a new sense of urgency

The Boston Celtics will head into Game 5 on Monday with a renewed sense of urgency.

The Boston Celtics suffered their first defeat of the NBA Finals on Friday (June 14). The Dallas Mavericks found ways to keep Joe Mazzulla’s team off their game and surged toward a big-time win, forcing a Game 5 back in Boston, where the Celtics could potentially win the championship in front of their hometown crowd.

When speaking to the media as part of his postgame news conference, Jaylen Brown admitted that he and his teammates would bring a renewed sense of energy on Monday (June 17) as the Celtics look to close out the series and end the playoffs as NBA champions.

“We learn from it,” Brown said. “We take it. We don’t dismiss it. We’re going to learn from it. We’re going to see how and why, exactly where the game was won and lost. And then we take those experiences and then we come out and we play like our life depends on it. Because it does.”

The Celtics currently hold a 3-1 lead over Dallas. They only need one more win to end the season and earn the title of champions. Dallas isn’t going to make things easy. They’ve shown they can beat the Celtics.

However, Boston has rarely lost two straight games this season and will undoubtedly be confident on their home court. Brown has emerged as a leader this season.

He has helped guide the Celtics throughout the playoffs while also playing some of the best basketball of his career. The Celtics will need the best version of Brown on Monday; only then will they have a shot at bringing Banner 18 to Boston.

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=590969558 tag=648387045]

Jayson Tatum admits where Celtics flaws were in Game 4

Jayson Tatum admitted where the Boston Celtics fell short after their Game 4 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Boston Celtics fell short of securing an NBA Finals sweep against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday (June 14). Joe Mazzulla’s team was bullied from start to finish as Dallas asserted their will onto the game and controlled every aspect on both sides of the floor. The Celtics will now head back to Boston, hoping to close out the series in front of their hometown crowd on Monday (June 17).

During his postgame news conference, Tatum admitted that the Celtics fell short of their usual standards. He revealed that the team failed to control their space and assert their will in the game, leaving the offense stagnant as a result.

“I think this is the most stagnant that we’ve been this series and the worst job of owning our space on the offensive end and doing what we wanted to do instead of what they were forcing us to do,” Tatum said. “And, you know, we did a great job of that the first three games, and this one, we didn’t.”

Dallas did a fantastic job in limiting Boston’s offensive rhythm. We rarely saw the style of basketball that has allowed the Celtics to surge into the NBA Finals and secure three wins in the first four games.

Tatum and his Celtics teammates must figure out how to implement their offensive and defensive schemes before Monday. If they can do that, a championship won’t be far behind.

The last thing Boston should want is to travel back to Dallas for Game 6, where the Mavericks could potentially even up the series and take full control of their own destiny.

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=590969558 tag=648387045]

Joe Mazzulla deserves credit for the Boston Celtics historic run

The Celtics coach played no minor role in Boston’s successes this season.

The Boston Celtics have put together an all-time great run to the 2024 NBA Finals, and if you try to narrow down the names most responsible for it going down, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla needs to be at the top of the list. 

You can point to the play of the stars given the impact of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis. The other starters in Derrick White and Jrue Holiday have been literally indispensable. And the bench from Al Horford to Jordan Walsh have all done their parts, and made their sacrifices to fuel the success for Boston.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Still Poddable” podcast, Brian Robb, Sam Packard, and Jay King, took a closer look at how Mazzulla has impacted the run on a recent episode. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear it.

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]

Celtics trusted Xavier Tillman’s familiarity against Dallas

The Boston Celtics put their trust in Xavier Tillman on Wednesday due to his experience playing against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Boston Celtics secured a third straight victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday (June 12). Joe Mazzulla’s team kept their unbeaten road record alive despite Kristaps Porzingis being ruled out of the game with injury. Without the veteran big man in the rotation, Joe Mazzulla turned to Xavier Tillman to help fill some of the minutes that had become available.

When speaking to the media as part of his postgame news conference, Mazzulla admitted that Tillman’s involvement was due to his experience facing the Mavericks during his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies. Mazzulla also stated that the Celtics ran a defensive scheme similar to Taylor Jenkins’ roster.

“He played in the Western Conference for three or four years, and so he’s played against the Mavs,” Mazzulla said. “And so he’s had that experience. Memphis has used a similar game plan, so he was used to that. I thought with that comfort level of playing against those guys for so long, he was going to be able to execute the things that we needed to execute.”

Tillman has struggled for consistent playing time since joining the Celtics at the Feb. 8 trade deadline. However, his strength and versatility made him a prime candidate to fill some of the minutes that Porzingis’ absence had made available. 

Boston and Dallas will face off for Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday (June 14). If Porzingis is ruled out of the contest, Tillman may get another chance to shine in what could be a potential close-out game.

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=590969558 tag=648387045]

Joe Mazzulla wants the Celtics to protect Kristaps Porzingis

The Boston Celtics will take a cautious approach with Kristaps Porzingis potential playing time.

Kristaps Porzingis missed Game 3 of the NBA Finals due to injury. He is listed as day-to-day as the Boston Celtics gear up for a potential close-out game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday (June 14). When healthy this season, Porzingis has been key for the Celtics. His presence revolutionized their offense and rim protection.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla stressed the importance of protecting Porzingis’ long-term health during a post-practice news conference on Thursday (June 13). He admitted that the team may have to shut him down for Game 4 if he isn’t showing signs of progression with his injury.

“I think at the end of the day, we have to continue to do what we do. Kristaps has gotten better from yesterday to today,” Mazzulla said. “He’s fighting like hell to play. But it’s going to be up to us to protect him and to make sure that it’s in the best interest for him as a player and as a person. Going into what’s best for a player and a person has nothing to do with where we’re at from a basketball standpoint.”

Porzingis has missed the majority of Boston’s postseason run. He suffered a right soleus strain in Game 4 against the Miami Heat and didn’t return until the opening night of the NBA Finals against Dallas.

Nevertheless, Boston is a better team when he’s in the rotation. If he’s cleared to play, he will likely have a role off the bench. If not, then his presence will be a major boost once he finally returns to the court, either during the playoffs or next season.

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=590969558 tag=648387045]