Are the Celtics In Trouble With Porzingis Hurt? | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Mannix to preview Game 3 of the NBA Finals with Porzingis questionable due to a leg injury.
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[@curtiskellam5358]

They have played a multitude of games without Porzingis. I could understand level-11 panic, if he had been in the lineup all year. They know how to play and win without him. Boston still has the better team.

[@enterpassword3313]

They were 21-4 without him. But thats not really because they are better without him, its mostly because they were good at resting him for easier games/matchups. Hes more important to this matchup against dallas than a lot of people seem to realise

[@techmccann]

"Abu Daboo"

[@TJ45_]

😭😭

[@ryankayombya7576]

So ignorant

[@owendavis8417]

Came to the comments looking for this

[@ddimasi62]

Yabadabadooo!

[@HayastAnFedayi]

As sensational as KP’s defense has been, fact of the matter is is that he’s only played 36 minutes out of 96minutes so far, so the other 2/3’rds the Celtics still have held it down, thats 66% of the combined games with no KP that the Celtics have still taken the lob away and still have had lock down d for the most part. If he can’t go sucks to not have him but doesn’t stop Boston from winning 2 out of the next 5 games.

[@David-iv6je]

I 100% agree, though in game 1 that 20 minutes sealed 1 of 7 Finals games. His impact was outsized.

[@williamharris7849]

just gotta shoot better. Mavs still can't guard anybody but no KP might give them some much needed confidence on offense.

[@HayastAnFedayi]

@@David-iv6je totally agree, what he provided and gave the Celtics and us fans put our boys in green in the position they are in up 2-0 and in great shape to finish things out, I honestly think he will play tonight, seems like gamesmanship on Mazulla’s part, all season and with any injury he’s always lips shut and coy like Belichick, but yesterday he was strangely open about it all, and then you add in how people said he seemed to be walking fine and not in any pain…I don’t know it just seems sus to me, not as blatant as Paul Pierce in the wheelchair🤣but still can’t discount the fact it might be being puffed up by the Celtics. Don’t get me wrong he def tweaked something but i think he still plays.

[@chillhopdrumz1862]

We need KP because without him Gafford,Lively and Jones Jr are going to eat. KP has blocked shots on all 3 of those guys.

[@Melldog23]

I’m with you. Obviously (I hope), we see a great Tatum game. Believe it or not we could use a HauserPritchard 6 for 10 from 3 quarter to help seal a game on the road. As crazy as it seems, that’s what teams need in the Finals to get them over the hump. Role players playing their roles at the pinnacle of their skills.

[@jkatzmarek14]

The sound Bill made when Mannix said Luke Kornet (3:21)

[@davincerica7232]

That the medieval HOLD gasp 😂

[@geechiedan68]

If they dumb enough to pay kornet they will lose this series.... They found some brisset stuff against Indy.... He has to get those minutes and that will be fine

[@karimzakaria9621]

Unpopular opinion, Luke Kornet is not bad at all.

[@calebmoritz4625]

@@karimzakaria9621 he isn't but bad matchup against dallas

[@EiLLskillz]

If Tatum can snap out of his shooting slump, it won't matter if Porzingis is limited or out.

[@enterpassword3313]

Hes not a clutch player though, they cant rely on him having those performances

[@a30dayfreetrial]

@@enterpassword3313 He's been clutch so many times...and not clutch many others. We all just remember his failures 🤣

[@EiLLskillz]

@enterpassword3313 that's a lazy take based on media narratives. Jayson Tatum has averaged 26.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 17 games in elimination games in his career.

[@chillhopdrumz1862]

@@enterpassword3313watch game 7 of the Boston vs Philly series, dummy.

[@enterpassword3313]

@@EiLLskillz no, its just a fact, he has consistently played shaky and makes bad choices under pressure. Your stats do literally nothing to demonstrate hes clutch at all

[@christineryan6564]

We are do for a big Tatum game, and a “Al wants that damn ring” game. And DWhite is due for a super hero game. We will be ok.

[@TheMysticCastle42]

Due*

[@enterpassword3313]

Why do you sound so worried now tho?

[@DGelectrock]

Yeah but J Kidd is due to coach the game of a lifetime, and the refs are due for making a call

[@slightexag]

tatum's about to massively elevate his statline from his finals average of 17/10/8.5 on 31.6% FG/28.6% 3FG to 21-11-8, on 35% FG and 30% from 3. guy's about to go nuclear (for him).

[@Josh_2992]

​@@enterpassword3313how does pointing out other players besides kyrie are due for a big game sound worried?

[@NousagiBrat]

Tatum as 5, play more Hauser. Also Kornet hasnt been shaky all playoffs. That's a narrative take. He was only bad in the Pacers series until the Celtics changed their coverage to zone whenever he's on. He was great vs the Heat and Cavs.

[@GeriatricSeal91]

4 3 minute spurts when gafford is in of zone with Kornet. when Kleeber is in spurts of brisset. some tatum at 5 in Kleeber minutes. try and keep horford under 25 heading into 4th quarter

[@silastanner3803]

I agree try to fit some small ball with the Js at 4 and 5 with Hauser and Prichard spackling in the cracks…play Horford as much as possible without taxing him.

[@slightexag]

Kornet played good minutes, but I'd take the more flexible Tillman--traditional slow, drop bigs have gotten cooked against Luka all playoffs. He cannot have minutes in this series.

[@andrewbaker3855]

Piggybacking off of what Bill said late in the pod, I also want to give Joe Mazz his flowers. He was stubborn, brash, and inconsistent with the timeouts last year. He cost the Cs games in the playoffs and the regular season. This season, I thought he was much steadier with his sense for the flow of the game, and I truly can only remember one game that he cost the Cs this year, which was that early season OT loss to Charlotte. Other than that, I feel he has been pretty steady this season, and has proven that he is a good, potentially great, coach.

[@misinfluence]

It’s so difficult to go through the Heat Cavs pacers

[@wilcomayn1]

Give me a break, Bill. This series is over. One of the least challenging Finals runs of all time for Boston. KP is nothing but a luxury. This championship is won with or without him.

[@nicholaseaster58]

Tatum’s decision making is just flat out awful at end of games. Gotta move him off the ball in those situations.

[@abdesselemelhassouni281]

To this question, I would like to reply like Serena Williams when a journalist asked her before the Australian Open: what do you think about your opponent at the finale suffers some injuries. Serena reply: Do you think that anyone arrive at this level of this tournament without suffering some injuries ?

[@gregorypellerin1]

I can't tell you how little I needed to listen to this today. Thanks jerks :-)

[@izzykoopa6046]

Agreed. I was like "whatever we've been fine without tingus" Now I'm like "OH GOD BURN IT ALL TO THE GROUND"

[@MooseElvis]

abu dhabu

[@dannymcguire3623]

Yabba dabba

[@davida1251]

Queta, Queta! Put in Neema

[@gale8279]

He'd be a young big that can protect the rim. Gifford and Lively aren't playing that great. He's another athletic 7 footer. Release the Kraken!

[@AGHathaway]

They have won 30 games without Zingi

[@subliminakeys1674]

It's fine. The Mavs are really bad at basketball. Including Luka who outside of trick shots and passes is a turnover machine who is possibly the worst defender in the league. He is a liability on the floor 60% of the time. It's great that is who we have to play honestly. Jokic is 10x what Doncic is

[@barringtonbennett2387]

Boston has been the only team that has done the correct job in the post season on that main guy for Dallas. They have relentlessly attacked him with out let up. They deliberately hunt him down and put him in pick and rolls. He's trying g to hide like he did in the Minnesota series. He can't because Boston has excellent ball handlers. It's so easy for Boston to blow by him.

[@haroldfloyd5518]

The short answer is no. Without KP, the Celtics are notably better than last year thanks to Jrue. He can definitely ice a game, even a game 7, and lock down the other team’s best ball handler. Tatum generally plays up to the situation and even if his shot is weak, he rebounds and defends as well as anybody at the position. 2 Mavs you trust to hit the last shot, still 4 Celtics. Gimme Boston.

[@mujin70]

I can’t see Dallas winning four of five. Come on. Are there three Kyrie games remaining? JT is also due. It can go seven now but Dallas winning will take another injury to Boston.

[@cjaimez5895]

To say a team "Couldn't finish them off" when they win the game is wild lol. Porzingas has done his job at this point, Tatum needs to step up now shooting wise, it's that simple.

[@acornsucks2111]

It wouldn't surprise me if Mavs won by twenty, or the Celts win by twenty.

[@artistjim114]

Porziņģis didn’t win them game one. It’s the fact that Luka looks like a truck driver, playing defense. They literally go after him the whole game. Someone else would have stepped up because it’s so easy to score on the fat dude.

[@TopNotchAnglerIA]

With Porzingis on the floor Celtics have outscored the mavs +25. Without Porzingis it is dead even. Tf you mean.

[@mysticsofthemaya]

I'm not worried. This podcast should be called "I shit my pants regularly". Cowards. These are the guys who crap on Tatum every game, even though almost ALL offence runs through him.

[@slightexag]

yeah they should be happy and proud of tatum for his impressive series shooting, 17:9 assist to turnover ratio, and 92 and 85 offensive ratings (-11 and -37 from 2nd worse C's starter). the offense would be so much worse if tatum deferred to his two pass-first point guards to initiate plays rather than leading in usage. he definitely could not use his gravity and attention in P&R as the role man: him having the ball is definitely the best approach. in game 2, he had the ball constantly, took 1/4 of their shots, shot 1/7 at the rim and from 3 while getting assists on his teammates cutting at the perfect time when he dribbled into a double-team and picked up his dribble. i don't know why we should revere a player more when he makes the game harder through inefficiency and yet "still finds way to contribute," rather than if he did his actual job and shot at even a mediocre clip AND had some play-making. should we be happy to find silver linings to his mediocre to bad offensive play every single game, every single series? him attracting double teams becomes less and less effective when the two outcomes of those plays are 1. missed shots at the rim or ill-advised jumpers (15minimum total), or 2. one of 12 assists, 3 turnovers, a hockey assist, or a pass to the corner at the start of the offense.

[@mysticsofthemaya]

@@slightexag Oh, it's so easy to spot a millennial. You're never happy winning unless someone is bamboozling you to take away the rights and freedoms your great grandfathers and grandfathers literally died to give you. let that sink in as you wonder why is he mentioning that on an NBA thread. It might take you a few decades to clue in.

[@mysticsofthemaya]

@@slightexag Hey shit for brains. How you feeling now. Celtics up 3-0. It's either a sweep or a Gentlemans sweep. And btw, Tatum played great while Luka fouled out. Hahahaha

[@gregorywilson2124]

They should give Quetta a chance.

[@banparlous2552]

Queta v Lively is the matchup I want to see most but will never happen. 😄

[@David-iv6je]

Is Chris Mannix a Bill Simmons clone? Look at these guys! Did they go to the perky Irish school of sports commenters?

[@Jg-uk4lm]

Boston can learn from their shortcomings (the little they have) from games 1 & 2 but Dallas and Luka can’t? Got it Bill

[@venomius]

If the celtics win 1 of 2 in dallas the mavs are screwed...they will close out at home no doubt

[@orangesodazz]

Why does anyone take Mannix seriously? He has had some of the most clownish takes over the years.

[@Jonteponte71]

Tatum does not shoot floaters for some reason. Like, at all. Which is strange.

[@Bickle121]

The celtics are just gonna okay extra fast on offence and have more open 3s.

[@briano1642]

The Mav-ador.

[@banparlous2552]

Jrue "bailed" Tatum out I suppose. But my argument ALL SEASON (& last season) was that Celtics don't cut enough & particularly in those situations. They just stand around even when their teamate picked up his dribble, especially in the paint when 3 seconds might get called soon. I do blame that on this whole Live & Die by the 3, because it creates bad habits. FCS, keep the defense honest & those 3's will there regardless (in better rhythm too i might add).

[@nocturne311]

Jrue cut a ton in game two and Tatum got him 5 or 6 shots within two feet of the basket. Tatum hit Brown on a couple of cuts too.

[@banparlous2552]

@@nocturne311 yes. it was a nice change & it's one of the main reasons they won

[@IOSARBX]

Bill Simmons, your dedication is paying off, keep it up

[@camerondavies8442]

Aboo dabooo

[@joshwhalen17]

The kid might just make it this biz.

[@frankmaitland1254]

If Luka wasn't so important to the offense he wouldn't be playing

[@nicholaseaster58]

Mavs are drawing dead against the best team in the NBA

[@ji-inroh495]

KP has the tendons and ligaments of someone about 5'1", unfortunately, he's 7'2".

[@Sam19509]

He has poor conditioning that in addition to his injuries are why Mavs salary dumped him to the Wizards for basically nothing.😂😂

[@roberthagopian9114]

Is it me or Mannix sounds like he’s hating on the Celtics

[@himalayanvoices2158]

Boston fans seem to want a Trae Young "score a zillion points in a noble loss" type of player. They would have griped about Tim Duncan for being boring, and not being a vocal leader. Drives me crazy how unappreciative they are of a player who plays for the team, and not himself!

[@yeahrightmyguy481]

It's not Celtics fans complaining about Tatum's game, it's every other fan base. We Celtics fans are used to this and would rather the team as a whole play good then to just have our stars shining

[@enterpassword3313]

What are you talking about?

[@pex3]

Abu Dabu!!

[@AGHathaway]

Dallas is going to get bood on their own court tonight.

[@leodesforges161]

KPs legs are a ticking time bomb. The calf injury throws off the other leg in a guy who has no extra gas in his “leg health” gas tank. Bummer, but I’ll be shocked if he is efficient in G3. He stamped his brand in G1: glad for him. The staff will likely force him onto the bench.

[@ramhaven2322]

they don't need him for gm3

[@michaelahurt]

Definitely true about his legs being a ticking time bomb but the two injuries were unrelated. All the pressure/weight is on your inside leg in that scenario regardless of the calf injury. When fully healthy you're going to lift the right (previously injured) leg/foot off the ground to plant with your inside (left) leg to drive forward.

[@enterpassword3313]

I dont think he can play at all. Out for playoffs maybe

[@leodesforges161]

Seems my prediction was correct. Heal up, KP.

[@PiimS23]

Abu Dabhu seriously bill?

[@howardthompson3543]

Let me get this straight. We would rather see Tatum shoot long twos and try to finish in traffic more. We don't want Tatum to pass to teammates for wide open layups and threes so much.

[@slightexag]

they need to concede top of the key 3s to tatum and avoid letting him drive. tatum's jump shot is less reliable than derrick jones jr's.

[@enterpassword3313]

Boston fans coping so hard right now. Tatum almost lost the game, he tried to dunk it and got rejected by the rim, bailed out by dertick white 3. Cant his his jumpshot. He got rejected again with 1 minute left and 5 poibt lead and was bailed out by d white block. They should have won easily but almost managed to lose, and a lot of that was how tatum was playing

[@guitarraclasica]

El lukador….how bout Matadoncic 😂

[@HerbHerman-le5ux]

1. Celtics (porzingis) 2. knicks (Bogdanovic, OG, Robinson) 3. bucks (Giannis, dame) 4. Cavs (Mitchell, Allen) 5. Magic (unsure) 6. Pacers (Mautherin, Halliburton) 7. 76ers (Embiid) 8. Heat (Butler) What a disappointing playoffs

[@ljutko7]

And same Bill were saying LUKA is best, better than Jokić before f finals! 🤷🤣 U can't make up this ish man.... 🤦 When literally Jokić played alone all playoffs...not so good but alone.... He still best this is year 5.... LFG

[@davidwright2454]

Yup, Porzingis is a huge reason the Celts are 2-0 already. But, "On the other hand".. Luka is clearly playing "wounded" . Watching 12:03 the play closely you will see him visibly limping along, mainly on 1 leg. Particularly later on near the end of the 3rd quarter. Nobody should be surprised if Luka goes for immediate surgery after the series is completed. It sure looks like Luka is playing through a possibly torn ACL or MCL . Gotta give Luka kudos for just toughing it out, playing through pain, without complaining, and still getting triple doubles playing on, basically, 1 leg. (Luka played strong defence vs the T'Wolves but the injury and the toll the three playoff series has taken on his body are a huge part of why the Celts have been able to exploit that situation) Ergo, yup, Porzingis is injured, but Luka's injury off sets that. Still looks like a possible Celtic sweep, or maybe a "Gentlemen's Sweep".

[@mshahnazi7636]

Gentlemen, Luka has had 3 triple doubles with 30+ points in the last 4 games against Celtics this year, and the Mavericks have lost all 4 games (3 after their season changing trade. They also beat Mavericks 119-110 at Dallas (I know, it was before the Trade) when JB broke his ankles and put his ass on the floor so bad that he changed his shoes and got rid of his Head Band. Both games 1 & 2 Luka was gassed by the end of third quarters (it was the same during regular season), and he is definitely hurt bad. ☘️☘️☘️☘️💚💚💚💚🍀🍀🍀🍀 #18

[@isiahmartin7510]

30.04 man Tatum always has one good game every series it feels like( which really wouldn't change anyone's opinion of him anyone who thinks something of him we'll still think that) that being said a ring might change that.

[@slightexag]

imagine if any other superstar's standard was "one good game every series"

[@veljkocetnik3050]

Chris is so full of sh!t. Mavs eliminated clippers, OKC - number 1 seed, Wolves - number 2 seed, and hes still crapping on Luka like hes the worst player in nba history - he doesnt play D -not true, Mavs have been great on D and hes playin 40 minutes a game - OKC series they won with D, nobody played great O that series for mavs it was a rock fight and they won with D, best player on the floor was SGA and it didnt matter. Then Lukas complaining and not going back on D - not true, just not true, simple as that, he did that previous years but this year nope... so he probably isnt even watching or has a tirade ready no matter whats going on. So if Luka is that Bad and he played 3 out of 4 best teams in the west, how did Mavs win? It was DJJ, Washington, Kyrie with 9 points, what happened ? How did they stop KAT and Ant if they dont play D? How did they stop OKC, how did they play Giddey of the floor and probably out of OKC? Luka was so bad hes avg over 30 points, had triple double last game? Im done with Mannix I hear hes good with boxing and stuff, but basketball I cant remember when he was right last time. Last year he was crapping on Jokic - and Jokic had a run for the history books, but Chris wasnt impressed. Hes just full of sh!t

[@CarbinKid]

Yes.

[@aaronpeters6209]

28:40 Meh" Not everything you'd want on paper. Like to see his TS% get near & above 65%, This would better situate him with the best offensive players ever, when comparing him with league average. He's cracked 60% past couple seasons now. Still like to see at least some improvement. You hear the murmering about those late clock Tatum possessions because Boston often loses those games when he isn't converting on them. Want to say his clutch minutes shooting has been putrid in the playoffs. Would be interesting to do a deeper dive in his shots - final five minutes - and see how streaky he is. Or how efficient he is. For as great as he's looked this season. I just wonder how good he would be without all the talent around him.

[@jzzft11]

Tatum in the post!!!! Cmon will ya Joe!!! Jeez. I think Mazulla f's w Jason's head more than Kidd. Thank God Jalen tuned that idiot out and just decided to be the best JB he can be. Joe has improved slightly i'll grant him that but still completely overrated. I would so much rather have seen Sam or Charles Lee get the head spot.

[@TheKing527]

Sports takes are so ridiculous at this point. Literally doing complete 180 degree flip flops every other day in response to ANYTHING. I understand the need to create content, but come on.

[@DrDetfink]

Boston is going to hit their threes and go up 3-0.

[@HayastAnFedayi]

I honestly think KP will wind up playing, I’ve thought from the beginning this is gamesmanship, KP tweaked something no doubt but if you look at Mazzula all year he’s always been coy about injuries Belichick style and now this time he’s all open about what’s going on…makes you really think…would be hilarious to see him come off the bench and the national media and Mavs fans lose their minds🤣

[@nocturne311]

@@HayastAnFedayiHe might play but this is a legitimately bad injury brother. KP was walking around in flops with a noticeable limp during practice yesterday. He can still play if they can make sure it’s stable and inject it with Novocain or toradol but if it isn’t stable, we might not see KP again in this series.

[@FM_Chatti]

Porzingis is a huge loss for the Celtics. It's like taking away their cheat code. He is really a mis match for Mavs. Boston will still comeout a champion but it will be close. They dont have the luxury now.

[@nightpandas7178]

Tatum's midrange name has been drilled out because of how he's been utilized in the system, it's a 5 out drive and kick offense there's no midrange in the Celtics offense except for Porzingis because they're playing analytics ball

[@laurentbfree]

These guys forget the Celtics made it this far without Porzingis in the playoffs.

[@slightexag]

They've managed to win by the skin of their teeth against hobbled teams. Pacers gave Lakers their money in the most competitive team to get swept race. Porzingis has been incredible at neutralizing a lot of what Mavs want to do on defense

[@Trillchris9607]

The “Luka bad defense” is only this series due to injury

[@AGHathaway]

No, he's never been a good defender.

[@JonBernard41]

For 50% of the a game Luka is a liability.

[@dhobbsrule76]

Tatum the Beast in the East,.@Best Player in the World... Luka has had the worst finals meltdown of any Superstar.

[@joshladd5073]

They will be fine. He’s only played 40 minutes. And we have yet to have a big game from really brown or Tatum. And ko not the only one taking away the pins! They have only had 1 lob. Ko has played 40 min so the other 58 they haven’t given up but one lob

[@untexan]

I mean I think the Celtics can beat Dallas 2 out of the next 5 games without Porzingis but also this is the reason the Mavs traded him. If he wasn’t constantly injured then Porzingis wouldn’t be on his 4th team.

[@dprestons0318]

Tatum dunked on Lebron on stared him down when he was lilke 20 years old and the media has never forgiven him for that. After that, he was destined to be he the superstar that never was. The media got an erection that day and have been waiting for Tatum to finish the job ever since. But he never has. Consequently, the media has been complaining for years about how he has left them high and dry for years. It is sad. Get over it. The fantasy is over. Great player.Hall of Famer. But not the guy.

[@Erawk]

Mannix is a hater. Not as much as Perkins, but still a hater. And Maz outcoached all the pundits last night by playing Tillman, and it was arguably his best move of the season.

[@nicholaseaster58]

Luka is getting shots just to play and is gassed by the second half. Everybody is banged up. STFU and play

[@jacobellis9419]

We are gluttons for good players taking hard shots. Everyone on Boston gets to take easy shots because the roster is stacked, and because of that, we don't see Tatum do the things that Brunson and Anthony Edwards do in the playoffs. What is really eating Boston up is that Brown is doing the things we want Tatum to do as the best player. Never would have thought we would be here given the discourse course this summer.

[@ericccchua5797]

Tatum dont all except shooting. Lots of idiots dont know basketball. As a celtics died hard banner 18🍺🍺🍺

[@lazyhead4382]

Dallas just looks dead. I can't see them coming back

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

Mavs fan here. I don't think the Celtics are in trouble. The Mavs' issues are far deeper. Losing KP is rough but it's not gonna be enough for the Mavs to turn the tide of the series. I love my Mavs but it's time to face the music. Sometimes you just run into a better team that outmatches you on all levels and this is what's happened here.

[@howlinhauler]

if they play Porzingis and he gets hurt, then they are in trouble. NO way should they play Porzingis but I'm rooting for Kyrie to go off.

[@Sotanath86q]

They're hunting him because he's been bad defensively. 15/25 shooting with him as the primary defender

[@jacobellis9419]

Bill's analysis for how Boston gets better is pretty bad. Boston is already pretty maxed out on the things that they're doing well and then he wants to add in mid-range shots from Tatum. The only way Boston plays better is if Tatum starts making those threes or those layups, Mid-Range shots aren't going to make that any better. His point about getting Tatum going right is good.

[@jzzft11]

True Kyrie has at least one breakout game in him but what about Tatum or what about one of those games where the Celtics are hitting closer to 40 from three as a team than under 30 which they have due as well. Dallas STILL cant defend Boston for crap especially on the perimeter

[@Biz613]

Tatum is good. Top 10. That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less. He’s not an alpha. He doesn’t want to be. Not his personality.

[@Biz613]

Tatum is good. Top 10. That’s it. Nothing more. Nothing less. He’s not an alpha. He doesn’t want to be. Not his personality.

[@eriknewton4656]

no they aren't and shouldn't be. the celtics are the more talented and superior team. if they can't survive losing porzingas than they deserve to lose this series and get broken up. the celtics have more than enough to survive losing porzingas. it would be a tough loss but they can survive it

[@DrAwesome43]

Tatum had some bad dunk attempts late in the game, so you cant say hes not trying lol. I think hes just tired from all the the defense, rebounding, and playmaking.

[@CrankyKong317]

If Tatum would shoot 2 dribbles middle man he really would be unstoppable

[@johnathankonandreas6074]

Abu Dabu lol

[@joshladd5073]

They will be fine. He’s only played 40 minutes. And we have yet to have a big game from really brown or Tatum

[@riikyricardo]

If Mavs role players can make more shots it’ll be competitive but as long as Luka is on the floor the Celtics can count on good looks off collapsing the defense

[@billyclifton5710]

Now it's 3-1 and Pz will not be playing- it risks career-ending tendon tear. So buckle up!

[@jacobellis9419]

Does Boston struggle to win close games because they've eliminated the tough two? When it's down to the final seconds and you know someone's going to take the shot generating a wide open three-air layup is really hard, and teams with great closers have that three level score that hits that tough too because that tough two is easier than that. Tough three

[@deefree35]

Hey bill winning a game is finishing them off, i guess by finishing them off u mean blow them out? This celtics team is the only i can think off where if they dont blow someone out, its a bad sign, its the dumbest think ive ever seen

[@jacknimble1]

Big fan of mannix. Wish they kept him on nbcsportsboston. Way better than Eddie house.

[@draftmagicagain1000]

Does hurt mean he isn’t playing? Because all the players are playing through something.

[@zeus4885]

Bill is such a Boston homer it is wild that he’s allowed to vote in the league’s voting panel with that much bias blinding him to reality

[@michaelstover6778]

No one mentioning Luka looks in pain also

[@HayastAnFedayi]

Yes exactly! And not only that but it came out yesterday he is now getting painkiller injections directly into his chest multiple times a day.

[@BuckFieri]

He’s been like that for weeks it’s become the new normal

[@HayastAnFedayi]

@@BuckFieri the chest injury and injections are new from game 1

[@undiscoveredstars1002]

@@HayastAnFedayiso he’s not playing in pain… Tatum had a broken wrist in 2022. No one cares.

[@Weaponator18]

Luka had a 30 triple double in game 2; he's not hurt enough for injuries to be an excuse.

[@Omar_listenin]

Yes they're in big trouble, only up 2-0 instead of 4-0

[@WorldBeater123]

People forget that when Cavs came back from 3-1 against Warriors, as big as the Draymond suspension was, Bogut got hurt and missed games 5, 6 and 7. After that the rim protection was gone and the lane was wide open for Lebron and Kyrie. Not to mention Boguts passing and screening for Curry to get open. As good as Porzingis has been on offense, he’s been sensational on defense blocking shots, changing shots, and taking away the Mavs lob. If Porzingis can’t go for the rest of the series, Celtics could absolutely lose.

[@HayastAnFedayi]

As sensational as KP’s defense is, fact of the matter is is that he’s only played 36 minutes out of 96minutes so far, so the other 2/3’rds the Celtics still have held it down, thats 66% of the combined games with no KP that the Celtics have still taken the lob away and still have had lock down d for the most part.

[@TopNotchAnglerIA]

@@HayastAnFedayiheld it down is kind of an overstatement. Not saying C’s can’t or won’t win without KP, but the didn’t exactly “hold it down”. With Porzingis on the floor this series Celtics are +25. Without Porzingis Celtics are dead even with the Mavs.

[@larryribic3609]

KP didn't do much game 2 let's stop acting like Boston can't win

[@Justinrombough]

Game 3 is gonna be Tatum's time to takeover the series and close it out

[@itsabraham1824]

The best sports podcaster in the business for me.

[@brumfeldo]

As long as Kyrie it's still playing like dookie water, the Celtics still win

[@minaguta4147]

Turns out: No. No, they are not in trouble with Porzingis hurt.

[@NoName-cn3cp]

People barely realizing Luka is a traffic cone on defense lol

[@Craftsman8022]

It's kind of crazy how these talking heads seam to think Celtics are sunk without Porzingus. I wonder how much has to do with the fact they all picked Dallas

[@Weaponator18]

The Celtics have no rim protection without him. That opens up all of Dallas' lobs and enables their offense to actually become multi dimensional. And yes, the betting factor is a relevant secondary reason lol

[@nocturne311]

@@Weaponator18Five other Celtics combined for 9 blocks in the first two games. Porzingis had 5 for a total of 14, but Brown, White, Tatum and Horford can all come up with blocks.

[@nocturne311]

@@Weaponator18Also, no, it doesn’t open up the lob threat. Boston has been shutting that down by switching Tatum on to Gafford and Lively and turning Derrick Jones Jr. into a roller. I don’t know why so many fans keep thinking that KP was the main factor in breaking up the lobs.

[@Craftsman8022]

Well like I said, we could still win without Porzingus and in Dallas

[@bushies27]

Simmons just tooted his own horn about his pickup basketball. Can anyone who's played with him confirm that he was smarter than everyone else who he played with?

[@nocturne311]

I mean he did score a bucket against Paul Pierce at an ESPN event in 2007 using a McHale post combo. Lol.

[@leodesforges161]

Even Hauser is NOT a liability on defense. He will get minutes.

[@slightexag]

crazily enough, he's been more a liability on offense than defense this playoffs. he's become russell westbrook from 3 somehow

[@leodesforges161]

@@slightexag good to see him play well last night.

[@slightexag]

@@leodesforges161 yeah he had some clutch shots, looking like himself. and tillman was great. excellent bench game

[@steveng8727]

The leprechaun is shaking in his teeny tiny pointy boots !