Review: Celtics at Timberwolves - Game #66 3/8/18

Here is Alex Goldblatt's review of last night's game vs the Timberwolves.  I think it may be his best yet.  I love the Game Changer and Best lineup additions to the review.  I also agree that Marcus Smart may be the Game Changer almost every game.  I also agree that Al Horford is essential to this team.  When he was a free agent he was the one player I wanted the Celtics to sign.  He just does whatever it takes for the team to win and he is a leader without needing the ball in his hands at all times.  Enjoy Alex's take on the game and let us know what you think in the comments! 



I think I'll open up a 2 new categories for discussion: "game changer" and "best lineup" - let me know if you'd like it to stick for discussion purposes.

So:

"The Game Changer"
Smart, hands down
I'm afraid that will be the case almost every game though... :) But - seriously! - what a turn around ever since he came back. Impact he has is way beyond just guarding 1-5 and making huge plays - he's the spine and the spirit of this team. He's THE difference maker in close games. I can keep ranting on and on, but my favorite part was Thibs calling on KAT switching on Smart in the post - just to back down and passing the ball!!! KAT could jam it against Baynes - but running scared against the 6'4" guard! I just could not believe my own eyes, it looked like that:

Closest comparison?? Of course Rodman!!! I brought it up number of times - and will stick to it: some things like being a winner simply do not fit in the box score!

From the #65: after the "ninja move": " He's one freak of a natural athlete, while not looking like the one... Can we see a windmill from him next time?!!!!"

Hell, didn't take too long!!!... We all know JB can dunk, Tatum can jam, but where the hell Smart was before?!!


"The Best Lineup"
Monroe, Morris, Tatum, Smart, TRoz
Not just the fact that they pushed the lead to almost 18 points, but also controlled KAT and Bjelica on the D end. Despite obvious mismatch between KAT and Monroe (too slow for face up), it was a winning combination. Smart abused Crawford all night long, Tatum was the only defender getting into Bjelica face on the D end with his quickness and length. I was actually surprised BS didn't play this lineup again in the 4th, and not playing Tatum at all limiting him to just over 20 mins - but I guess there was a reason why BS inserted Ojeleye instead to close up the game. Still - the best +/- lineup of the game

"The Game"
OK, back to the game though:
1. JB
JB's scary fall - don't want to spend too much time here, but he's a one tough lucky kid... Fortunately had no time to break with hands, saving himself from the season ending broken bones.. fortunately landed on his shoulder instead of head, neck, or back.. just fortunate - all around!

Looked like he was on the way of having career night, as the Timberwolves had no answer to him at all. I was really happy with his aggressiveness on both sides of the floor, and very controlled game without dumb over dribbling of passes in the mid air of the past. That brings another point: Wiggins just signed 5 yr 150MM extension... And - I'll take JB over him at any given day... What does it mean to the C's salary cap in 3 years??? Obviously, too early to discuss - but just a thought to share. Add to that Tatum's salary... one hell of a problem for Danny for sure...

2. Amazing Al
There was some idiotic blog a couple of days ago about how bad Al's stats are, and how bad the salary cap situation is for the C's because they cannot get rid of him...
Al Horford Has Become a Serious Problem for the Celtics
Whoever this blogger is - it's obvious that he has no clue about the game beyond the box score. Baynes and Monroe are too slow for guarding KAT... Everybody else - too undersized (well - minus Smart of course!!)... Al held KAT to 0 points and 2 fouls in the 1st, and got under his skin big time. Finished with the 20/8/6 line, but more importantly - his D in the post and perimeter was a thing of art. I can only compare him to KG here, switching seamlessly like that. His impact on destroying the Timberwolves on the D end cannot be overlooked. I think it's time for BS and Danny to make him the Captain...

3. BS playing chess
Yep, he's at it again! Thibs is not a slouch when it comes down to creating mismatches, but BS outsmarted him - big time. Bjelica somewhat worked scoring 30 - but it's OK to let them gambling on the 30-footers, while scoring on him high percentage layups and making him -3 for the game. I still don't get Al, Morris, Ojeleye, Smart, KI lineup closing up the game - but I guess I just have to say that in BS we trust. It looked like with 10-12 point advantage, BS just went after all-D lineup to preserve the lead rather than scoring. Good part - such lineup was able to hide KI lapses on the D.

Biggest mismatches causing trouble for BS were forcing Wiggins switching on KI and TRoz in the post, but yet again - 6-21 shooting is just fine in my books. JB and Smart played great D on him - so the plan worked only to some degree. Not having Butler in the lineup is a huge blow to the Timberwolves,  but it's a proven fact that this is only marginal loss - there is only 1 (ONE) ball to play with.

4. Pretenders and contenders.
I believe GSW, Spurs, Raptors, Celtics are the only true contenders. I just cannot take seriously Houston after watching them vs. the C's, nor the drama queen Cavs. Maybe should add the Pels to the list - but don't see them making a real splash. I hope the C's will be able to catch up with TOR for the 1st seed: I'd rather watch TOR and CLE going at each other for 7 games. TOR playing HOU next, and the Cavs and the C's twice. Will be very exciting to watch!

Go C's!!!!

AG

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