Tag: in-season tournament

PHOTOS: Boston at Indiana: Celtics can’t keep up with hungry, speedy Pacers, lose 122-112

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ 20th game of the 2023-24 NBA season vs. the Indiana Pacers.

The Boston Celtics found themselves facing an Indiana Pacers squad in the NBA’s in-season tournament quarterfinals that came to play, and from the game’s opening tip, Indiana made the Celtics run. And run Boston did, seemingly on their heels even when holding a lead, turning over the ball 18 times to Indiana’s 6, while shooting just 29.3% from deep.

That the Celtics were even in it at the end is a minor miracle in itself, with the hungry Pacers roster coming to life as victory came into view late in the game. The final blow that likely put the tilt out of reach for the Celtics fittingly a dunk by former Boston forward Aaron Nesmith. Now, Indiana is headed to Las Vegas while Boston heads home to lick their wounds.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ 20th game of the 2023-24 NBA season vs. the Indiana Pacers.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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Woj: Kristaps Porzingis out vs. Pacers, but may return for in-season tournament semifinals

“So far, (there have been) no setbacks in his recovery,” says Wojnarowski.

The Boston Celtics will have to face the Indiana Pacers in their NBA in-season tournament (IST) tilt without star big man Kristaps Porzingis, out to heal up the calf strain the Latvian center hurt earlier this month. But some good news also comes with that confirmed absence against Indiana from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Per Woj, there is “optimism … Porzingis … will return to (the) lineup this week.” The senior ESPN analyst also reports that “there’s increasing confidence he’ll be back” in Las Vegas for the IST semifinals so long as the Celtics advance past the Pacers on Monday night.

“So far, (there have been) no setbacks in his recovery,” adds Wojnarowski, who relates that the hope is that trend continues for Porzingis, and allows him to return this week to aid Boston’s push to win the inaugural in-season tournament title.

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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Could Jaylen Brown be wrong about the safety of the in-season tournament courts?

“It’s not uncommon for players to slip,” said an unnamed league source.

Could the NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) courts not be as dangerous as star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown worried they might be? Brown, who went on record to voice his concerns about the safety of the new courts after a slip in a game vs. the Toronto Raptors injured his groin, could be mistaken about the IST courts being the problems according to recent reporting from Heavy’s Steve Bulpett.

“It’s not uncommon for players to slip,” said an unnamed league source. “Usually it’s a wet spot from sweat or their sneaker’s bottom doesn’t grip right in some position.”

“When it’s a new court or a refinished court at the start of the season, the complaint we most often get is that it’s too sticky,” they added.

“The IST courts probably just look slippery because the paint job is shiny, so any slipping can get blamed on that,” shared the anonymous league source.

Perhaps it is the case, but one can’t blame Brown — a Player’s Association vice president — for speaking out given his own experience.

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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Is the in-season tournament bad for the NBA?

It was an uncomfortable situation for many in the game, and some feel that the NBA should tweak the in-season tournament’s rules avoid similar issues in the future.

Is the in-season tournament bad for the NBA? The Boston Celtics won a blowout in-season tournament game against the Chicago Bulls last week, advancing to the in-season tourney’s knockout round with the victory. Some players and coaches are unhappy about the point differential tiebreaker aspect that had Boston running up the score late with a big lead, but the Bulls performed poorly, and the Celtics had to maintain a big lead to secure their spot.

It was an uncomfortable situation for many in the game, and some feel that the NBA should tweak the in-season tournament’s rules avoid similar issues in the future.

Others believe it is perfect as it is given the excitement it created for fans.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what the hosts of the CLNS Media “The Big Three” podcast had to say about the IST and the pockets of displeasure about it.

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 at Indiana Pacers: How to watch, broadcast, lineups

The Boston Celtics head to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers on their home court of Gainbridge Fieldhouse for their quarterfinals matchup in the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament.

The Boston Celtics head to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers on their home court of Gainbridge Fieldhouse for their quarterfinals matchup in the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament.

If you happen to be looking for a way to watch the on-court action live on cable television or a local or national online streaming service that carries the game, keep reading while we get you up to speed on everything else you need to know about the game. Along with player injuries and likely starters for both teams, we of course will have how to watch it listed below.

Let’s begin with the players available to play.

Could the in-season tournament help the Boston Celtics in the playoffs?

What lessons does the IST provide?

The NBA’s new in-season tournament win was initially uncomfortable for the Boston Celtics’ players given how point differential needs made them play vs. how they believe the game should usually be played, but they have now embraced the experience and hope to replicate their success in other situations, perhaps even the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

With point differential a key factor in the tournament, and it reminded head coach Joe Mazzulla of his father’s experience playing in a similar tournament in Chile where they purposely scored in their own basket to force overtime and win by 6 points. The Celtics players have shown increasing interest in the in-season tournament, and they are more motivated than ever to win it.

In a practice edition of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, reporter Bobby Manning provides insights into the Celtics’ recent developments with the in-season tournament and more.

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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Are the Boston Celtics the in-season tournament favorites?

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce recently weighed in on whether they see Boston as the favorites.

The NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) was something of a mystery to all before it began. No one knew for sure if the new addition to the league’s calendar would be a hit even among middling ball clubs and their fans, never mind clubs with a bigger prize in mind to pursue.

But we have since seen that the Boston Celtics have every intention of competing for the very first IST title, and to do it they will face some stiff competition. The Indiana Pacers are no pushover, who Boston will face in their quarterfinal contest this Monday evening. If they win it, they will face one of the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, or Los Angeles Lakers in the final in Las Vegas, Nevada later this week.

A pair of former Celtics Hall of Famers, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, recently weighed in on whether they see Boston as the favorites to win the IST on a recent episode of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast.

Check it out above to hear what they had to say.

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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Wyc Grousbeck on Boston Celtics’ in-season tournament court: ‘We miss the parquet’

“We definitely requested that our center strip be parquet,” said Grousbeck.

The Boston Celtics’ special court for the NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) has rubbed fans and players alike the wrong way, with players concerned about the safety of the courts and fans miffed that the iconic parquet court was not at least incorporated into the design.

To make matters worse, it is not like the Celtics simply let the league get rid of the parquet element in the new IST court, with the league having rejected a request to use it in their design. That wrinkle, originally reported on by Heavy’s Steve Bulpett, was confirmed by the same via lead Boston Governor Wyc Grousbeck.

“We definitely requested that our center strip be parquet,” shared Grousbeck, “and they requested that we look like the other courts with a solid color.”

“People have generally said they think ours is one of the better looking (IST) courts,” he added. “I think ours looks fine. But we miss the parquet, and we would like to have it.”

Judging from the complaints, Grousbeck is far from alone.

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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Previewing the in-season tournament quarterfinal between the Pacers and the Celtics

This game is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams having the potential to come out on top.

What can we say about the upcoming in-season tournament match between the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers? Both ball clubs have had a strong start to the season and are expected to put up a competitive fight in this matchup even with the Celtics far ahead of the Pacers in the standings with Boston first in the East and the Pacers sixth.

The Celtics have quickly developed chemistry and a strong defensive presence, which has contributed to their success. All-NBA forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have also been instrumental in leading the team, putting up impressive numbers and delivering key plays in clutch moments.

This game is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams having the potential to come out on top.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Still Poddable” podcast previewed the in-season tournament match on their most recent episode. Check it out above!

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 can the NBA improve the new in-season tournament?

One of the primary concerns surrounding the in-season tournament is establishing a clear purpose to fans still struggling to keep up with how it works.

The NBA’s in-season tournament has been a topic of debate and scrutiny since even before its introduction earlier in the 2023-24 season, with no shortage of opinions on how to enhance its appeal and significance to the league calendar and its fans.

One of the primary concerns surrounding the in-season tournament is establishing a clear purpose to fans still struggling to keep up with how it works and elevating its prestige. Infusing an international element into the In-Season Tournament could broaden its appeal, with teams outside of the NBA being included in future iterations. Establishing more of a sense of tradition and legacy around the in-season tournament could contribute to its long-term success as well.

A multifaceted approach to boost the NBA’s in-season tournament, combining incentives, innovation, global appeal, strategic planning, fan interaction, and a sense of legacy are just some of the suggestions that came up on a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast.

Check out the clip above to hear what guest Brian Barrett of the Ringer had to say on the tournament.

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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