Hoops Rumors

After going 4-0 against the Knicks during the regular season with an average margin of victory of 16.3 points per contest, the Celtics built 20-point leads in each of the first two games of their second-round playoff series vs. New York before improbably losing both of them. “Two games we’re up 20 points somehow end up not with wins is inexcusable,” Celtics wing Jaylen Brown … [Read more...] about Celtics Notes: Game 2 Loss, Porzingis, Horford, Tatum, Holiday

The Celtics squandered 20-point leads in each of their first two playoff games, both of which came at home against the Knicks. Boston star Jayson Tatum took full accountability for the two losses, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “I take full ownership of the way that I’ve played in this series and can’t sugarcoat anything,” Tatum said. “I need to be better, and I expect to … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Tatum, Sixers Arena, Lottery, Knicks

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made a major defensive adjustment during the first game of New York’s ongoing series against the Celtics, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post (subscriber link). The Knicks opted to frequently switch on pick-and-rolls, a shift from their regular season approach to those coverages. It threw the reigning champs out of rhythm, as Braziller … [Read more...] about Knicks Notes: Defense, Hart, Boston, Robinson

The Celtics’ injury report for Game 2 of their second-round series with the Knicks on Wednesday offers a mixed bag. Key reserve forward Sam Hauser is listed as doubtful due to a sprained right ankle, Ian Begley of SNY TV tweets. However, starting big man Kristaps Porzingis is listed as probable for Game 2 after departing Game 1 early with an illness. According to Steve Bulpett … [Read more...] about Hauser Listed As Doubtful For Game 2; Porzingis Probable

Josh Hart‘s contributions will be even more invaluable to the Knicks in their second-round series, which began tonight, Jared Schwartz of the New York Post notes. While the Knicks were able to answer runs against the inexperienced Pistons in their first-round series, the defending champion Celtics possess a killer instinct to bury teams once momentum shifts their way. Hart can … [Read more...] about Atlantic Notes: Hart, Knicks Reserves, Robinson, Kornet, Nets Picks

Jrue Holiday is off the injury report for Game 1 of the Celtics’ second-round series against the Knicks, Brian Robb of Masslive.com reports. The Celtics issued a clean injury report on Sunday, signaling they’ll be at full strength when they take the court for Monday’s home contest.. Holiday missed the final three games of Boston’s first-round series against Orlando due to a … [Read more...] about Celtics Guard Jrue Holiday Removed From Injury Report

Kristaps Porzingis was once beloved by Knicks fans who saw him as their best hope of escaping years of dysfunction, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. But years later, after a devastating injury and a messy breakup, Porzingis is a member of the Celtics and stands in their team’s way of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. When he was drafted with the fourth pick in … [Read more...] about Knicks Notes: Porzingis, Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Towns

At least one Celtics player has suffered a minor injury in each of the team’s three playoff games against the Magic so far. As Souichi Terada of MassLive writes, Jayson Tatum sustained a bone bruise in his right wrist in Game 1 that forced him to miss Game 2. In that second game, Kristaps Porzingis received stitches after a cut on his head. And after Friday’s game, Jaylen Brown … [Read more...] about Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Frustrated After Physical Game 3 Against Magic

Jrue Holiday will miss his second straight game with a strained right hamstring when the Celtics face the Magic on Sunday, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. Robb notes that Holiday had been listed as questionable going into Friday night’s contest and was ultimately ruled out shortly before tip-off. The injury was detected after Game 2, in which Holiday put up 11 points, four … [Read more...] about Celtics Rule Out Jrue Holiday For Game 4