The Bulls shocked the Celtics in Game 1 behind Jimmy Butler‘s 30 point performance. Rebounding was a major issue for coach Brad Stevens‘ squad, as Chicago pulled down 21 more boards than Boston did.
Rajon Rondo stepped up in Game 2, nearly bringing home the 2017 postseason’s first triple-double. The Celtics made just 30.3% of their shots from downtown and they appeared overmatched on the defensive end.
That leads us to tonight’s topic: After watching two games, do you think Boston can win this series?
Only 18 teams have ever comeback from 0-2 to win a 7-game series, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). The Celtics are the only No. 1 seed in history to drop the first two games against a No. 8 seed in a 7-game series. The 1993 Suns went down 0-2 in a 5-game series as a No.1 seed against the Lakers, but they came back to win that series and eventually won the Western Conference.
Can Boston comeback from the 0-2 deficit? If the Celtics come out victorious this round, how far can they go? Take to the comment section below to share your thoughts. We look forward to what you have to say!
An earlier edition of this post incorrectly relayed the number of teams to come back from 0-2 in a 7-game series. Only 18 teams have done so.
Over, did you say over? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Lmao: GED status
Yes! #WhyNot
Japan bombed Pearl Harbor…
Watch Animal House…then you’ll get the joke.
There’s always one person….
I’m a Celtics fan. These guys are done. Their best big guy is not physical, and the bench isn’t great. Their problem going forward is that their best player is a point guard in a point guard loaded draft. They need young, physical bigs and there are none out there.
The Celtics are playing like trash, this coming from a Celtics fan. The Bulls had so many open shots it was ridiculous.
Unless Boston remembers how to defend jump-shots and pass the ball, they ain’t going anywhere except fishing.
Of course they can come back from 0-2. There are 5 games left and they have to win 4. It’s been done before. It’ll be difficult, but far from impossible.
2018 Celtics will be much better. Need a rim protector or two. Move on from Amir Johnson, Jerebko, Zeller, Olynyk, and Green. Bench needs to be rebuilt too.
It’s hard not to be better than how they are now. I was honestly hoping this would happen as a Celtics fan. Ainge and Stevens needed to be shown this team can’t compete as is.
I agree with all of this with the exception of Olynyk. He has been nowhere near as bad as people are making him out to be. In fact, it’s frankly ridiculous the amount of flak he receives. He (somehow) had the best PER over the first two games for what’s it’s worth and it actually seemed the Celtics were doing better when he was in instead of someone like Johnson or even Horford. He by no means has been perfect, but he hasn’t been bad actually and nowhere near what people make him out to be.
The problem is outside of Smart and KO, you are minus a bench. Both Jaylen and Terry have their moments, but they are so streaky and you never know what you’ll get from them. It makes me miss Evan Turner that much more because he was added depth and at least super versatile off the bench. Plus you factor in Amir doing nothing and getting absolutely roasted by Robin Lopez and you’re in a serious hole.
I also question if they can win a playoff series with Jae Crowder. Sure he’s getting points, but he isn’t doing much else out there. Jae Crowder is my dude and all (there was a reason why I got his jersey after his first two weeks here), but I question if the Celtics can win with him as the starting 3.
Can’t believe I’m saying this but they should’ve opted for Howard instead of horford. At least he can push guys around and fight for a board
The fundamental flaw with finesse teams like the Celtics are their bigs: instead of crashing the glass for rebounds, they’re hanging out around the perimeter and chucking 3-pointers. Boston’s coach failed to make adjustments after Game 1, so the Bulls’ rebounding advantage continued in Game 2. Rebounding is the only way Boston gets back into this series, so it’s most likely over.
I know we cant be complaining as celtics fan because of what the future holds but come on…. I wasted my money going to that game. Obviously the Celtics biggest problem is rebounding. Rebounding is 25% form/positioning and 75% effort. If these celtics supposedly play their hearts out every night why are we losing so bad in a major effort facet of the game. The trade deadline is biting them in the ass now. They needed one or both of a dynamic scorer off the bench or an athletic rebounding shot blocking center. Players were available for cheap at the deadline but danny refused to pull the trigger. We have already run out of roster spots for all this young talent so why do we need second rounders? I really hope some change comes this offseason to some degree. I hope its a definite that all of olynk zeller amir and jerebko are off the roster. Smart or bradley should be traded. Both are great pieces to this team but we can only pay one of them going forward and both contracts expire after the 2018 season. I love smart but if he played almost a rondo esque roll on offense he would be better off. Not in the sense that he pounds the ball on the court but in that he doesnt shoot many threes and that he only takes what the defense gives him in scoring opportunities. He is a good playmaker bad score. Avery is improving every year but if its him or smart im going with the younger player every time. Crowder should also be traded because his role should diminish in the next year. Im not head over heels over jaylen being a stud in this league but he has a great ceiling and is already playing well. Jaylen should take crowders starting job sooner rather than later. Get the most of what you can get from these guys in a deal for a young player or lottery pick. Danny also shouldnt be afraid to pull the trigger on players like rozier. He is never going to be a starter in this league and backups arent hard to come across. Keep the picks acquire young talent and build around the core you have left. Its also imperative that we dont dish out a max contract to second undeserving player(horford). He has played well as of late but not worth the money.
Worst number one seed in NBA history. They still can come back but they are not for real big picture
This series has been super frustrating. Mainly because they aren’t playing their game. They are playing super sloppy and not knocking down shots. I think Horford despite his numbers has been weak (even though he has a 17.7 PER). Amir has been a liability. And Jae has been so average beyond belief (and that is being nice). Actually, the player leading the team in PER (not including James Young and his 2 minutes of play) is Kelly Olynyk at 22.6. While that’s encouraging, that seriously can’t happen. We need to see the big players like Horford and Bradley and Crowder do more.
As far as a comeback… I won’t say this is over… but if Brad and company do not adjust, this is not only over, but it will be a sweep. I think the Celtics can adjust; they got the 1 seed for a reason, but they better do it and quick.
Nah, you don’t rebound well. Bigs shooting 3s only works if your crashing the glass and fighting for offensive rebounds.
Thing is it has worked all season. Our bigs constantly fired up threes. It’s just this is not the matchup for that play.
I thought about this today; why not give Jordan Mickey a shot? Brad has nothing to lose at this point and maybe he can be a defensive presence against Lopez and Portis. Amir has been getting toasted, Zeller has never had much defense, and Jerebko hasn’t gotten hardly any time this series. Why not throw a total curveball and roll the dice a bit.
I love this idea mickey is a premier shot blocker. Im not sure why he doesnt get more time on a team that lacks an interior defender.