LIVE: Celtics vs Pacers Series Preview & Predictions | Garden Report - video Dailymotion

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The Garden Report goes live to preview the Celtics Eastern Conference Finals matchup vs the Pacers and give out their series predictions.   following the Celtics game 4 vs the Cavs. Catch the Celtics Postgame Show featuring Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis as they offer insights and analysis from Boston's game vs Cleveland.  This episode of the Garden Report is brought to you by:  Get in on the excitement with PrizePicks, America’s No. 1 Fantasy Sports App, where you can turn your hoops knowledge into serious cash. Download the app today and use code CLNS for a first deposit match up to $100! Pick more. Pick less. It’s that Easy! Go to https://PrizePicks.com/CLNS  Take the guesswork out of buying NBA tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Download Gametime today. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed. Terms apply.  Elevate your style game on and off the course with the PXG Spring Summer 2024 collection. Head over to https://PXG.com/GARDENREPORT and save 10% on all apparel. Use Code GARDEN REPORT!  Nutrafol Men! Take the first step to visibly thicker, healthier hair. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com/MEN and enter the promo code GARDEN!  #Celtics #NBA #GardenReport #CLNS

Transcript

00:00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:00:05 Can you say hard hats, folks?

00:00:06 Hard hats, lunch pails, steel tool boots.

00:00:09 Anything short of a championship this year is a failure.

00:00:11 Look at this boomer right here.

00:00:13 You've just got so much talent here.

00:00:15 Somebody said we need to apologize for Jalen.

00:00:17 Can I pull the John?

00:00:18 What are we apologizing for?

00:00:20 What did we say?

00:00:21 What did we do?

00:00:21 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:00:25 [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:00:31 All right, fellas.

00:00:33 It's the kids' table at Thanksgiving.

00:00:36 Jimmy T, Joey P, Bobby M.

00:00:44 It sounds like if I was a rapper in the early '90s or something.

00:00:47 You might be.

00:00:49 You ever been called that?

00:00:50 We could be a rap group right now.

00:00:52 Probably not.

00:00:54 My brother, Dwell, used to be called--

00:00:56 he had the nickname Joey for some people.

00:00:58 Oh, look who it is.

00:01:01 Got a guest.

00:01:02 He sprinted through the door.

00:01:04 Are you kidding me?

00:01:06 We'll bring him in in a minute.

00:01:07 We just started.

00:01:07 Anyways, what's up, everybody?

00:01:10 Little off-day Gartner report, Celtics Pacers preview edition.

00:01:22 In baseball, they have an opener now.

00:01:24 Some teams do an opener for their pitcher.

00:01:26 He's not the starter.

00:01:27 He's not the closer.

00:01:28 But he'll go the first frame.

00:01:30 I think that's going to be me.

00:01:31 And then when John jumps on at some point,

00:01:33 I'll slide over to my normal role.

00:01:36 That's a good comparison.

00:01:38 We're going to open things up there.

00:01:39 We obviously got Bobby and Joe Sway in the building.

00:01:41 Welcome, guys.

00:01:42 Thanks for joining us.

00:01:43 Thanks, everybody, for jumping on.

00:01:45 I think we're all a little bit excited.

00:01:47 There's been a few off days here.

00:01:49 Congrats to the Celtics for earning those days.

00:01:51 We watched the Pacers and the Knicks

00:01:53 literally beat up on each other for seven games

00:01:56 to the point where the Pacers had to wave the white flag.

00:02:00 I mean, that was too bad what happened to Jalen--

00:02:02 sorry, the Knicks had to wave the white flag.

00:02:04 It was too bad what happened to Jalen Brunson.

00:02:06 Really too bad.

00:02:07 I mean, the Knicks, it feels like they've

00:02:10 got a lot of the pieces that they need.

00:02:11 But health is just as important right now.

00:02:14 And they did not have that, certainly.

00:02:16 And it went from bad to worse.

00:02:17 So the Pacers advance.

00:02:19 So we've got Boston Indy as your Eastern Conference finals

00:02:23 here, which is going to be--

00:02:25 I think it's going to be an exciting matchup.

00:02:27 I really do.

00:02:27 You've got two teams that are at the top of the league

00:02:31 when it comes to on the offensive side of the ball,

00:02:34 high tempo.

00:02:37 The Pacers are one of those teams.

00:02:38 And I've said this throughout the regular season.

00:02:41 They want to run and gun.

00:02:42 They want to go, go, go.

00:02:43 They want to maximize their shots.

00:02:45 They don't want to play a lick of defense,

00:02:47 although I know we'll get into that later,

00:02:49 Bobby.

00:02:49 You're somebody who believes that they actually

00:02:51 have improved on that end, certainly

00:02:54 since the way things started for them to start the year, which

00:02:57 is good, because I don't think anyone could have kept up

00:03:01 the so offensively heavy side of the way

00:03:06 that they're putting the game.

00:03:07 We're going to get a lot into what the Pacers do well, maybe

00:03:09 what they don't do so much as well.

00:03:12 We'll get into the Celtics, the matchups, X factors.

00:03:15 What's it going to take for the Celtics to win?

00:03:17 What's it going to take for the Pacers to win?

00:03:19 We'll get into all those things.

00:03:21 I know Joe Sway and Bobby, you guys

00:03:22 are hot on the scent when it comes

00:03:25 to being at these practices and talking to the players and Joe

00:03:28 and figuring out where these guys are at.

00:03:30 So I'm going to throw it to you guys right off the bat.

00:03:32 We'll start with Bobby immediately to my right,

00:03:34 although I'm in mirror mode.

00:03:36 So I got to figure it out.

00:03:37 I learned this recently that what I'm seeing is not--

00:03:40 I was going to say, we're both on one side, Jimmy.

00:03:42 Not what I'm watching back.

00:03:43 I got to figure that out.

00:03:44 But let's get--

00:03:45 I want to get both your guys' thoughts just going into this.

00:03:48 I don't want your predictions yet,

00:03:50 but just give me your overall thoughts heading

00:03:51 into this one, what you think we can expect to see.

00:03:54 Bobby, we'll start with you.

00:03:56 Yeah, obviously disappointed we're not

00:03:57 getting New York-Boston because it had the potential

00:04:01 to be all-time fun.

00:04:03 And with more health on that New York side,

00:04:06 a series that New York could win,

00:04:08 I don't think the Pacers can win this series.

00:04:11 But they do have the possibility of being very annoying.

00:04:16 I think the Cavs got a little annoying during that series

00:04:19 and then fell apart due to health.

00:04:21 The Heat certainly had no health round one.

00:04:24 So it's going to be the hardest series by far

00:04:27 that the Celtics have faced here,

00:04:28 just because it's a style that forces you to play the way

00:04:33 the opponent wants to play.

00:04:35 And I think the Celtics have done a pretty good job

00:04:37 throughout the year of playing the way they want to play

00:04:40 and instilling their style in the game.

00:04:42 Indiana, it's tough to not get drawn into that.

00:04:44 The Knicks got drawn into it, and they're probably

00:04:46 the slowest team in the playoffs.

00:04:48 The Celtics, statistically, are the slowest team

00:04:50 in the playoffs right now.

00:04:51 And some of that's the teams they're playing.

00:04:53 But they are a team that plays on the slow side in general.

00:04:57 So getting sped up, maybe having to turn the ball over

00:05:00 a little bit more, certainly rebounding

00:05:03 going to be a big deal in this series as a way

00:05:05 to slow the game down.

00:05:07 They have to be able to manage the pace of this series

00:05:09 and find the mismatches on that pacer's side.

00:05:12 Certainly, Halliburton is going to be the guy

00:05:14 you want to go at the most there.

00:05:15 But there are mismatches all over the place on that defense.

00:05:18 And yes, Jimmy, I do think that the pacers have gotten better

00:05:20 in some ways defensively.

00:05:22 But they're still bad on that end.

00:05:24 So after going against the Cavs, one of the best defenses

00:05:27 in the league, the Heat, one of the best defenses in the league,

00:05:31 it will be refreshing to some degree

00:05:33 to play one of the worst defenses in the league here.

00:05:35 But you have to execute.

00:05:37 Can't turn the ball over.

00:05:38 The pacers are starting to pressure full court

00:05:40 a little bit more here.

00:05:41 So you got to be able to withstand that.

00:05:43 And you got to get to the rim.

00:05:44 I mean, they're going to try to take away the three.

00:05:46 They're going to guard you one on one a lot of the time.

00:05:49 So if you're Tatum, if you're Brown,

00:05:51 you got to get downhill and score inside in this series

00:05:53 and score a ton.

00:05:54 This is not a series where Tatum can do the whole passing thing

00:05:58 and be shooting 40% and saying, oh, he's

00:06:00 giving you stuff in other areas.

00:06:02 This is a series where Tatum has to average 25-plus,

00:06:06 because the buckets will be there for him.

00:06:10 Yes, sir.

00:06:11 Yeah.

00:06:11 I agree with that, Bob.

00:06:13 Josue, what you got?

00:06:15 Yeah, no, no question, man.

00:06:16 We need to see efficient Tatum, which

00:06:18 would be the first time we've seen it

00:06:19 throughout the postseason, if we're being honest, right?

00:06:22 I mean, that's been his struggle offensively.

00:06:24 I know in that last outing, we got

00:06:26 the best offensive performance we've

00:06:27 seen throughout the postseason.

00:06:29 Well, we're going to need--

00:06:30 something's going to need more of that.

00:06:31 And of course, the same can be said about Dillon Brown, who's

00:06:34 been phenomenal throughout the entire postseason.

00:06:37 I don't think that changes here.

00:06:38 But I do think someone like Pascal Siakam, guys like Miles

00:06:43 Turner, I mean, their inside-outside game,

00:06:45 especially with Miles Turner, I think he's sort of the X

00:06:48 factor in this series, where I think the Pacers are going

00:06:50 to try to score that match--

00:06:53 down low.

00:06:54 I think this is going to be a series where Celtics will miss

00:06:57 Chris Stapps, not to say that they can't pull this off

00:06:59 without Porzingis, but I think the Pacers take advantage

00:07:02 of that.

00:07:02 He's not in the middle.

00:07:03 I think they take advantage of the lack of rim protection,

00:07:06 that resistance.

00:07:06 I think they're going to try to test the Celtics in a big way.

00:07:09 And of course, I think that establishes

00:07:12 their outside presence, their shooting.

00:07:14 If they get hot-- and of course, Haliburton is one of them,

00:07:17 one of many--

00:07:18 they can keep up with the Celtics' offense.

00:07:20 I mean, that's what makes them, in my opinion,

00:07:24 good to win more than a game in this series, a couple games,

00:07:28 at least.

00:07:29 I [AUDIO OUT]

00:07:31 --prediction, Jimmy, but I just--

00:07:34 I guess I can't overstate the fact

00:07:36 that this is going to be harder than what I think

00:07:39 it may look like on paper.

00:07:40 These games, I don't think you're

00:07:42 going to see a whole lot of blowouts in this matchup.

00:07:44 Again, I think not having Porzingis

00:07:47 is going to help the Pacers in a big way

00:07:49 on both ends of the floor.

00:07:50 But I also think depth plays a part as well.

00:07:52 I mean, the Pacers have guys that can come off the bench

00:07:55 and score in bunches.

00:07:55 I think the Celtics are going to need some more of that.

00:07:58 We saw it towards the tail end of that series.

00:08:00 Peyton Pritchard has been great.

00:08:02 Sam Houser disappeared against the Cavaliers.

00:08:05 I know he got away with it, and that's fine and all.

00:08:08 But in this series, they're going

00:08:10 to need him to step up here.

00:08:11 He averaged about three points in that series against the Cavs.

00:08:15 Overall, his numbers haven't been great.

00:08:17 But especially in that last series, man,

00:08:19 they're going to need more of that threat, outside threat,

00:08:23 shooting threat, from their second unit especially,

00:08:26 because it gets pretty thin now that Al Horvath is a starter.

00:08:29 And we know the deeper we get into the series,

00:08:32 it wouldn't shock me if Al goes into a similar drought

00:08:36 for at least a game or two at some point

00:08:38 throughout the series.

00:08:39 Again, that's assuming no Chris Bass Porzingis.

00:08:42 I know he's pretty much ruled out for the first two games.

00:08:44 Honestly, I'd be surprised if we see him in game three.

00:08:47 I think there's a good chance the Celtics team faces

00:08:50 the Pacers without him.

00:08:52 Maybe not the entire series.

00:08:53 Maybe he comes back in a game five, game six situation

00:08:56 for the most part.

00:08:57 They can't think about that.

00:08:58 They have to go into this series knowing how to, or at least

00:09:02 game planning on how to dominate.

00:09:05 And I think it comes down to the way they defend.

00:09:08 I think that would open the floodgates for sure

00:09:10 against this Pacers team.

00:09:11 But if the Pacers are on, I think

00:09:14 it's not going to be as easy as people think it's going to be.

00:09:16 They have to really stick with it.

00:09:18 And it has to be all four quarters type of effort

00:09:20 on the defensive end of the floor.

00:09:22 Bobby, are you surprised that the Pacers are

00:09:26 in the Eastern Conference Finals?

00:09:29 No, because when you go up against a Bucs team that

00:09:31 lost Giannis, middle thin for a certain amount of games,

00:09:33 a little bit by the end of that series too,

00:09:35 you're expecting them in that series.

00:09:37 I actually had them in that series anyway,

00:09:38 just given how bad the Bucs played for a lot of this year.

00:09:42 So you expect that.

00:09:43 And then for the Knicks to get as devastated as they were

00:09:47 by injuries too, it opens the door.

00:09:49 But the Pacers took it too.

00:09:50 I mean, that was amazing.

00:09:51 I've never seen a start like that to a game seven,

00:09:54 but really any game, 22 for 27.

00:09:57 Their offensive execution and their efficiency on that end

00:10:01 is out of this world.

00:10:02 And you look at what they've done in the playoffs.

00:10:04 They're the best offense in the playoffs

00:10:06 by a significant margin.

00:10:08 I think they're like five points for 100

00:10:09 better than the Celtics, who are number two.

00:10:12 They shoot 65% at the rim.

00:10:14 They shoot 50% from mid-range, which

00:10:16 is the best in the playoffs.

00:10:18 They get a lot of threes up too.

00:10:20 So I think it's going to be a similar deal to that Cavs

00:10:22 series, where the Celtics try to take that three-pointer away

00:10:25 from them if they can.

00:10:27 And that's going to lead them to be a little susceptible

00:10:30 inside again.

00:10:31 And the Celtics have given up a lot

00:10:32 at the basket in these playoffs.

00:10:34 I know Joe's argued that it's a little bit intentional

00:10:37 to let the other team get away from their threes

00:10:41 and to let the Celtics gain the advantage in that area.

00:10:44 But the Pacers are pretty good at limiting the other team's

00:10:47 threes.

00:10:47 They gave up the fewest three-point attempts

00:10:49 during the season.

00:10:51 I think they do a decent job taking away the rim, too,

00:10:54 with Turner in there.

00:10:55 So to Joe Sway's point, I don't think

00:10:57 this is going to be easy going against this team.

00:11:00 They earned their way here.

00:11:01 They were extremely competitive throughout the regular season.

00:11:04 They add a Siakam, who is, as we talked about at the time,

00:11:09 a major piece that can give you scoring in those areas

00:11:12 that you need if the Celtics are going

00:11:13 to try to take away the three here from them.

00:11:15 So this is the kind of team you want

00:11:19 to see the Celtics play up against a little bit,

00:11:21 because these teams that grind it out, that defend great,

00:11:26 they ran into a brick wall, right?

00:11:28 Because the Celtics are a great defense, too.

00:11:30 I know they're ranked second, but the Celtics really

00:11:33 haven't been a super consistent offense

00:11:35 throughout these playoffs.

00:11:36 They've had their ups and downs on that end.

00:11:38 So to be a team that can outscore them--

00:11:41 I know we talked about this a little bit with the Bucs when

00:11:43 we were wondering if they could maybe compete with the Celtics

00:11:46 a little bit here.

00:11:47 The Pacers have a little bit of a formula

00:11:49 here to be able to knock the Celtics off a couple of times.

00:11:52 If they're able to have some better offensive

00:11:54 Knights than Boston, and they simply just outscore them.

00:11:56 We saw them beat the Celtics 133 to 131

00:11:59 at one point during the year.

00:12:01 I know that was a Knight-Tatum sat, but they did it.

00:12:04 They beat the Celtics in the tournament.

00:12:07 Porzingis was out for that.

00:12:08 Porzingis is out now.

00:12:10 So if Porzingis was here, I wouldn't

00:12:12 give this series much of a chance of going long,

00:12:14 because I think the Celtics offense would just be so much

00:12:17 better than the Pacers offense at that point.

00:12:21 But now that Horford showed those inconsistent results

00:12:25 last round, I don't think this is a Cornette series.

00:12:28 And Wes Tillman, who obviously reportedly lost his father

00:12:33 this week, so it looks like he could be out tomorrow.

00:12:36 You're going to be looking at a thin front court

00:12:39 here for the Celtics in this series.

00:12:40 And can they get enough out of Horford playing big minutes,

00:12:43 playing every other day?

00:12:45 I think that's the biggest question

00:12:46 by far for the Celtics here.

00:12:48 Obviously, the Pacers' biggest question

00:12:49 is, can they get enough stops, which is probably the biggest

00:12:53 question in this series.

00:12:55 But for Boston specifically, Joe Sway,

00:12:58 is Horford ready to shoulder the load in this series again?

00:13:02 I think he is.

00:13:02 I think he is, but I got to be honest, the deeper--

00:13:05 I am the host here, bud.

00:13:06 --we get into this series--

00:13:08 Bobby does that sometimes.

00:13:09 I got to be honest, the deeper we get into the series,

00:13:12 I think you'll start to see it kind of trail off a bit.

00:13:15 And I'm not saying that it'll be across the board.

00:13:18 I'm not saying to go out there and the stat line will be duds.

00:13:21 But in terms of being that constant threat from deep,

00:13:24 I do think that he will cool down at some point,

00:13:28 just because he's taking on these starter minutes

00:13:30 and taking on a lot and keeping up defensively with guys

00:13:34 like Miles Turner and Pascal Siakam.

00:13:36 He's going to have his hands pulled down low,

00:13:38 especially when these guys are in transition.

00:13:41 And if they get the three-point shot

00:13:43 falling, which is something that Miles Turner has

00:13:46 done throughout these playoffs.

00:13:47 So it'll be interesting.

00:13:49 I mean, I want to see, again, how this other team could

00:13:51 defend as a team, as a cohesive group, what they do to sort

00:13:55 of stop the bleeding when the Pacers are going downhill

00:13:59 and guys are hitting shots.

00:14:00 And Halliburton is going to have one of those big nights

00:14:03 at some point throughout this series.

00:14:05 Maybe it's not game one.

00:14:06 Maybe you see the Celtics benefit off of extra rest

00:14:10 and these guys coming off of game seven.

00:14:11 But I don't think the entire series

00:14:13 will play out that way.

00:14:14 I really don't.

00:14:14 I think once these guys settle in,

00:14:16 you're going to see a tougher opponent that we've

00:14:19 seen throughout the-- the toughest opponent that we've

00:14:21 seen for the Celtics team throughout the postseason,

00:14:24 for sure.

00:14:26 So there's no doubt that this is going

00:14:29 to be the hardest matchup so far for the Celtics,

00:14:32 at least in my mind.

00:14:34 That's kind of by default, but also, you know,

00:14:38 you can't sleep on this Pacers team.

00:14:41 I've liked the Pacers for a number of years now.

00:14:43 Obviously, the roster's transformed a little bit.

00:14:45 It's not exactly the team it was a couple of years ago,

00:14:50 but there's some pieces still there.

00:14:52 Obviously, Myle Turner's still there.

00:14:53 He's a main--

00:14:54 You've always loved the Pacers, Jimmy.

00:14:56 I've always liked the Pacers.

00:14:57 I don't know what it is.

00:14:58 Something about them.

00:14:59 Something about that color scheme, I think.

00:15:01 No.

00:15:02 No, I've liked the Pacers.

00:15:03 And I like them now.

00:15:05 I'm not picking the Pacers in the series,

00:15:07 but I do think that they are going to be a difficult team

00:15:10 to--

00:15:12 put it this way.

00:15:13 You can't sleep on them.

00:15:14 That's what I keep saying about this team.

00:15:15 And they've proven it.

00:15:16 I think they deserve to be here.

00:15:19 They beat a Bucs team that had a really horrible season

00:15:22 from the Bucs standpoint.

00:15:23 And obviously, the injuries caught up to them.

00:15:25 Knicks, they caught up to.

00:15:26 But the Knicks are a tough-as-nails team.

00:15:30 And the Pacers went down 2-0 to them, OK?

00:15:33 And they could have just whimpered out and lost in 5,

00:15:36 like a lot of teams would.

00:15:37 They even up the series, go down 3-2,

00:15:39 and then they win the final two games of that series.

00:15:41 And again, I know that players are in and out of the lineup.

00:15:44 But the Pacers are dealing with some health guys, too.

00:15:47 I mean, Halliburton hasn't been 100% by any stretch.

00:15:50 And there's a lot about them that they

00:15:52 were able to overcome those odds a little bit

00:15:56 and some of those ups and downs throughout the course

00:15:58 of the playoffs.

00:15:59 So I'm taking them seriously.

00:16:00 If I'm the boss in Celtics, you have to take them seriously.

00:16:03 Indiana is a tough place to win on the road.

00:16:06 That place gets loud.

00:16:08 You guys are going to have to bring some earplugs,

00:16:11 I think, with you, because that place is going

00:16:12 to be absolutely rocking.

00:16:14 Not to say that it's not rocking at the Garden.

00:16:16 It's hard to win in the Garden, too.

00:16:17 But for that reason, I think it could be a lot longer

00:16:19 of a series than maybe some people think.

00:16:21 I see people in the chat saying, Celtics in three,

00:16:23 Celtics in four.

00:16:24 You know what I mean?

00:16:25 So I just don't see it that way.

00:16:26 I do think the Celtics are going to pull this off.

00:16:29 The talent is certainly swaying heavily in their favor.

00:16:32 Pacers like to get out and run.

00:16:35 If you try to get--

00:16:36 the one thing the Celtics can't do

00:16:39 is try to get to a shooting match with this Pacers team.

00:16:43 Goes back to what Bobby always preaches, defense, defense.

00:16:45 So if they can clamp down enough,

00:16:48 that's going to be the difference.

00:16:50 Because I just don't see that with the Pacers.

00:16:51 I don't know if they have that ability to sort of clamp down

00:16:56 like the Celtics do.

00:16:57 And again, it's a little bit of a talent thing, I think,

00:16:59 with Holiday and White in that backcourt

00:17:02 is going to pay huge dividends.

00:17:05 With Porzingis in or out of that lineup,

00:17:07 I still like the Celtics in this series.

00:17:10 Things obviously would change in the NBA finals.

00:17:12 You want to have Porzingis back for that one.

00:17:14 We should definitely touch upon the Western Conference

00:17:17 towards the end of the show, because that's

00:17:18 a really interesting situation going on over there, too.

00:17:21 But I'm with you guys.

00:17:22 I mean, you've got to respect this Pacers team.

00:17:25 I do think it's going to be one of those home series.

00:17:29 I think one of those teams is going

00:17:31 to have to win a road game at some point

00:17:36 for this thing to really flip.

00:17:37 That's just how I feel.

00:17:38 I think the Pacers are going to be tough.

00:17:39 I really do.

00:17:40 It's super important--

00:17:41 Well, that's in part.

00:17:42 Put it this way.

00:17:42 It's super important for the Celtics

00:17:43 to win the first two at home.

00:17:44 That's what I'm going to say.

00:17:46 Yeah, I mean, I think that's the part where experience

00:17:49 should take over, right?

00:17:50 And look, you look down the line,

00:17:52 obviously the Celtics have been here countless times,

00:17:55 it feels like.

00:17:56 But for someone like Drew Holiday, it's a second one.

00:17:59 And yeah, he has a championship for the first appearance

00:18:03 with the Bucs in 2021.

00:18:04 But I just feel like someone like that

00:18:05 knows that these opportunities don't come around often,

00:18:09 even though that has kind of been the case for Tatum

00:18:11 and Brown and all that.

00:18:12 And of course, I think they've learned from those experiences.

00:18:15 And I think they're ready to show them

00:18:17 what they want and sort of quiet all the noise, which

00:18:19 I think Jalen sort of alluded to today, right, Bobby,

00:18:22 in saying that, hey, you can't watch the TV without seeing

00:18:26 something being mentioned about the Boston Celtics.

00:18:28 Are they going to finally do it?

00:18:29 Are they going to choke?

00:18:29 Are they going to--

00:18:30 that's the storyline, that's the narrative.

00:18:32 But you can't fall into that, into thinking that, oh,

00:18:35 this thing, we have to win.

00:18:36 We're supposed to win.

00:18:37 And I think that's when you see those bad habits

00:18:40 from the Celtics that we've seen throughout.

00:18:42 But I think they've learned a lot.

00:18:46 And I know it's only been like two losses.

00:18:48 But again, you couple those losses

00:18:50 with the experiences beforehand.

00:18:52 And I don't see them falling into those same traps.

00:18:55 I just think it'll be more of a tactical thing

00:18:58 in Joe Mazzuolo going up against Carlisle

00:19:01 as he sees a big hole in that center position

00:19:06 without Chris Nash.

00:19:07 I think he's very confident that these guys can pull an upset.

00:19:10 So it'll be interesting because these guys don't

00:19:13 have a whole lot of experience.

00:19:14 Halliburton, this is the first time in the playoffs.

00:19:16 You got to go down the line.

00:19:17 They have nothing to lose.

00:19:19 Yeah.

00:19:20 And then at the same time, exactly, Bobby,

00:19:21 they have nothing to lose.

00:19:22 If they lose this, the city's not going to flip on them.

00:19:25 You know what I mean?

00:19:25 They have--

00:19:26 They're happy.

00:19:27 Yeah, they're happy with the progress.

00:19:28 They don't have that same--

00:19:29 exactly.

00:19:29 They don't have that same kind of pressure.

00:19:31 So it'll be interesting.

00:19:32 I'm not worried about the Celtics.

00:19:33 How much experience takes over for the Celtics

00:19:36 at some point in the series.

00:19:38 Real quick.

00:19:38 I'm not going to do a full read here.

00:19:40 I just want-- I forgot to mention off the top

00:19:41 that our show is sponsored.

00:19:43 We have some great sponsors, guys.

00:19:44 I just want to remind everybody quick.

00:19:45 Yeah.

00:19:46 PrizePix is--

00:19:46 I know.

00:19:47 PrizePix, there are guys over there, guys and girls

00:19:49 over there, PrizePix.

00:19:50 100% deposit match with the promo code CLNS on the PrizePix

00:19:55 app.

00:19:56 Fire up the app.

00:19:57 Toss on a game that you're going to put on the TV.

00:20:01 Get to picking more or less on your guys

00:20:03 that you think are going to either play well or not

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00:20:05 So that's PrizePix and our good friends over at GameTime.

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00:20:14 You can download the GameTime app, create an account,

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00:20:20 Terms do apply.

00:20:21 I used it for the Bruins.

00:20:23 I don't want to talk about it, but I

00:20:24 did use it for the Bruins.

00:20:25 I don't want to talk about how the game went.

00:20:28 However, I did use it.

00:20:30 And at least I can say that I got basically a free beer out

00:20:35 of it because of it.

00:20:36 So with that being said--

00:20:37 It's better to be a good story.

00:20:39 That was the half read, John.

00:20:40 I'm going to save the full one for you since you're here later.

00:20:43 So we'll welcome in John.

00:20:46 I know a lot of people are thrilled that you

00:20:49 were able to join us, John.

00:20:50 So I'll let you introduce--

00:20:53 Let's get you-- you know what, John?

00:20:54 Let's let everybody else's opening take.

00:20:56 Not predictions, but just thoughts going into the series.

00:21:00 Let's just get your initial thoughts.

00:21:03 My opening thoughts on the series?

00:21:04 First of all--

00:21:05 Opening statement, please.

00:21:06 Everyone see my cousin Vinny?

00:21:08 Of course.

00:21:08 So when he walks into the courtroom and he says--

00:21:11 and he points to the other guy and he goes,

00:21:13 everything that guy said is bullshit.

00:21:15 And that's how I feel about everything

00:21:16 that Bobby has said so far.

00:21:18 I don't even know what it is.

00:21:20 Somehow you nailed it.

00:21:23 The chat thinks Bobby is a Pacers fan.

00:21:26 Everything that guy said is bullshit.

00:21:28 I'm actually ashamed to say I haven't seen that movie.

00:21:30 That's all right.

00:21:31 It's a classic.

00:21:32 Yeah, that's a classic.

00:21:34 I've seen the clip so many times that I kind of know

00:21:38 what you're talking about.

00:21:39 Joe Pesci, right?

00:21:40 It's old.

00:21:41 It's old and I'm old.

00:21:41 When Belichick referenced it, I was like,

00:21:43 I got to watch this movie.

00:21:44 Oh, we are thrilled.

00:21:46 I really got to watch that.

00:21:48 I've tried to give the opposition credit

00:21:51 in every step of the way, because I

00:21:53 feel like each of these teams could play the Celtics tough

00:21:56 at full strength.

00:21:57 But he completely fell apart.

00:22:00 The Cavs you knew going in weren't in a good place

00:22:02 physically, and I think that's why we all picked five

00:22:04 and it went that way.

00:22:05 They got even worse as the series went on.

00:22:08 Pacers actually have some guys.

00:22:10 Now, is everyone on their team going to get hurt

00:22:12 and it's over in five here?

00:22:14 Maybe.

00:22:16 But right now, they're all healthy.

00:22:17 And I think they are capable of giving the Celtics

00:22:21 a little bit of a series here, not one where they can actually

00:22:23 go out and win it.

00:22:24 So it's not real in that sense.

00:22:26 But that's basically what I've said so far, John,

00:22:28 is that-- and I think we all feel that you have to respect

00:22:30 the Pacers a little bit.

00:22:31 We all said it.

00:22:31 You just can't sleep on this team.

00:22:32 Like, you could probably sleep on the freaking Heat

00:22:35 and basically the Cavs.

00:22:36 Or the Knicks if they showed up with nobody.

00:22:38 Yeah.

00:22:38 Right.

00:22:39 Miles Turner is that X factor, I think.

00:22:43 Joe Sway has made his X factor.

00:22:46 No, we have not unleashed our X factors yet.

00:22:48 OK.

00:22:49 So--

00:22:50 There you go.

00:22:51 So I'll surprise everybody.

00:22:54 I agree with Bobby.

00:22:55 I think it's going to be extremely

00:22:59 challenging, the series.

00:23:02 I don't get where the Celtics in five stuff is coming from.

00:23:06 I see the chat saying Celtics in three.

00:23:08 Yeah.

00:23:09 I don't think there's any chance the series is a series.

00:23:12 You've got to remember, no poor Zingas.

00:23:14 That's big.

00:23:15 Yeah.

00:23:17 I don't think-- so yeah, here's my--

00:23:21 here I'm going to be the voice of doom and gloom.

00:23:23 I'm not.

00:23:24 I'm just being realistic.

00:23:25 I'll believe Chris Epps where Zingas is playing.

00:23:27 Bye, Jimmy.

00:23:28 Jimmy, your haircut is the first thing I wanted to talk about,

00:23:31 but I'm not going to.

00:23:32 It's short.

00:23:32 It's all the hair got cut.

00:23:34 It's short.

00:23:35 Jimmy--

00:23:36 I was like, who let Jimmy's son on the show?

00:23:41 Someone made a comment.

00:23:42 I'm like, it does look a little different, but I didn't--

00:23:45 It's definitely short.

00:23:47 The good news is, unlike you, John, mine's going to grow back.

00:23:49 Oh, good one.

00:23:50 I like it.

00:23:51 I like it.

00:23:52 I like it.

00:23:53 Shit, I didn't see that one coming.

00:23:54 I like it.

00:23:56 I like it.

00:23:56 We got sponsors.

00:23:57 Proceed with caution, by the way.

00:23:58 We got sponsors for that.

00:23:59 You guys not using graphics, huh?

00:24:01 Is that what I'm here for?

00:24:03 We haven't used a graphic yet.

00:24:04 OK, no one's putting up lower thirds?

00:24:06 No.

00:24:07 That's why Jimmy--

00:24:08 Well, we haven't gotten into any of the actual topics.

00:24:11 We just did-- OK, we could have tossed that one.

00:24:13 Just grab ass for 30 minutes?

00:24:15 No, we just got into everyone's initial thoughts.

00:24:17 We didn't go down the list of some of these topics

00:24:21 that you have lined up for us.

00:24:22 My favorite topic was what I think

00:24:23 I walked in on, which was Jalen Brown talking

00:24:26 about drowning out the noise.

00:24:30 What freaking noise?

00:24:32 Like, what are we talking about?

00:24:33 And here's the thing.

00:24:34 I actually--

00:24:35 So naturally, there's been some noise, John.

00:24:37 I actually--

00:24:37 You know the noise.

00:24:38 Because they're bored.

00:24:39 Because they're bored.

00:24:40 I actually do think what's funny--

00:24:42 Everyone's injured.

00:24:43 That's why.

00:24:43 This whole topic of disrespecting is hilarious to me.

00:24:45 Like, it's not disrespectful to say

00:24:48 that the Celtics had an easy path.

00:24:50 They did.

00:24:51 Like, it's-- the Celtics-- the freaking--

00:24:53 I mean, someone put this up, and I'm throwing it up here.

00:24:57 Like, the Patriots in their last Super Bowl, yeah,

00:25:00 that's what happened.

00:25:02 Freaking Brady versus Bortles, OK?

00:25:05 That stuff happens sometimes, OK?

00:25:07 This is what you get.

00:25:09 You get--

00:25:09 But no one used to say, John, oh, the Patriots

00:25:12 didn't play anyone.

00:25:13 Yes, they did.

00:25:15 In fact, that was-- we were so bored talking

00:25:18 about the Patriots all--

00:25:19 like, people-- did people just wake up today

00:25:21 and start watching sports?

00:25:22 Yeah, but they didn't say it, John, from a standpoint of--

00:25:25 It's unreal to me.

00:25:26 No, the Patriots-- the beginning of the season,

00:25:28 you'd be like, I'll see you in the AFC Championship game.

00:25:31 No regular season game mattered.

00:25:33 They'd play some cream puffs along the way.

00:25:35 Shaughnessy's famous tomato cans line,

00:25:38 which you got years and years of mileage off of,

00:25:41 everybody were tomato cans.

00:25:43 The March of the Tomato Can.

00:25:44 Everybody-- people nationally were

00:25:46 talking about how weak the AFC East is,

00:25:48 how the Patriots have six free wins every year,

00:25:51 how the whole AFC is a garbage conference.

00:25:53 They would just-- they would play one game a year

00:25:56 and go to the Super Bowl.

00:25:57 That was it.

00:25:57 I mean, it didn't make the championships

00:26:00 any less enjoyable.

00:26:01 No.

00:26:02 Tomato cans.

00:26:03 Absolutely not.

00:26:04 Absolutely not.

00:26:06 It happens.

00:26:07 So-- but I do think the pendulum has swung a tad

00:26:10 in the other direction, because now I think people are bored

00:26:13 and they're looking to nitpick the Giant,

00:26:16 to take them down a few pegs.

00:26:17 Well, I'm not that impressed with the Celtics anyway.

00:26:19 That's where I'm coming from.

00:26:21 They're playing that card.

00:26:22 So I do think the pendulum has swung.

00:26:24 Before, it was just Celtics fans saying, don't call it boring.

00:26:28 Wins are fun.

00:26:29 Get a-- go, you know, stop watching.

00:26:32 It's been boring.

00:26:33 And--

00:26:33 You got to be impressed by the Celtics.

00:26:35 --tomato cans.

00:26:35 The games haven't been interesting.

00:26:38 The games aren't interesting.

00:26:39 There's no intrigue.

00:26:40 There's no villains on the other side.

00:26:41 And honestly, the Heat team they beat in the first round

00:26:47 and the Cavaliers team, once Mitchell went out,

00:26:49 don't win 30 games in the regular season.

00:26:51 They're not a planned team.

00:26:52 OK?

00:26:52 They're not playoff teams.

00:26:53 They're not even close to playoff teams.

00:26:55 There's nothing wrong with admitting that.

00:26:57 It doesn't have anything to say.

00:26:59 What it is, though, is we're entering this world in which

00:27:01 you have no idea who the Celtics are.

00:27:03 So I'll say the smart money is revert back

00:27:06 to who you saw in the regular season, which

00:27:09 is a team that was leagues better than everybody else.

00:27:12 And that's who they are.

00:27:13 So I do think it's swung in the other direction

00:27:15 because they're like, I'm not that impressed, you know?

00:27:17 And I think they're not--

00:27:19 and I think the old narratives are coming out to play.

00:27:21 And look, somewhat deservedly so.

00:27:24 That--

00:27:25 We haven't seen the old Celtics, though, John.

00:27:27 We haven't seen them yet.

00:27:28 And that's what they deserve credit for.

00:27:29 I think the old Celtics go six with Miami somehow.

00:27:32 I think they probably go six with Cleveland somehow.

00:27:34 Not with this conference.

00:27:35 The old Celtics?

00:27:36 The problem is--

00:27:37 They went six with the Hawks.

00:27:38 Yeah.

00:27:39 Yeah, but this roster's different.

00:27:41 That was-- well, Porzingis got hurt midway, but--

00:27:44 It's just different.

00:27:45 However--

00:27:46 And they're whatever record they are without Porzingis.

00:27:48 Bringing it all the way back around, I agree with Bobby.

00:27:50 I think it's competitive because I'm a little dubious

00:27:52 that we see Porzingis any time before game five or later.

00:27:58 Even if-- yeah.

00:27:59 But just Porzingis aside, you're a little bit--

00:28:03 you're not scared of the Pacers, but you respect the Pacers

00:28:06 unlike the first two opponents.

00:28:07 Is that accurate or no?

00:28:08 It's not respect-- I tweeted this right after it ended.

00:28:11 My thought is this.

00:28:12 My initial thought right away, the first thing

00:28:14 was good and bad thing about the Pacers

00:28:16 is the Celtics can't coast against them

00:28:18 because the Pacers just keep coming.

00:28:20 They do a lot of things at an elite level.

00:28:22 And if you don't take it seriously,

00:28:24 they can run you off the floor.

00:28:25 They also do a lot of things that--

00:28:27 what's the opposite of elite?

00:28:29 They're horrible in a lot of things.

00:28:31 Rebounding, defense.

00:28:33 You can absolutely-- the Celtics should be able to score at will.

00:28:37 So-- but Jimmy, you're like--

00:28:38 you mentioned last time, you don't want to track meet

00:28:40 with these guys.

00:28:41 I think it goes back to what Bobby says all the time.

00:28:44 Like, lead with defense and let everything else

00:28:47 work itself out.

00:28:48 Defense is the great separator here.

00:28:49 There's two great offenses.

00:28:51 But the key is, if you just play defense in this series

00:28:54 to the best of your abilities, recognize

00:28:55 you're still going to get some of theirs

00:28:57 because they're a really good offensive team, you'll win.

00:28:59 But still, it's--

00:29:02 I think it's competitive because I

00:29:03 think the Porzingis thing is a bit of an equalizer here.

00:29:06 Like, what do the Pacers do?

00:29:07 This is the greatest misconception of the Pacers,

00:29:09 I think.

00:29:10 You think it's a bombs away team.

00:29:11 The Celtics are a bombs away team.

00:29:13 The Pacers led the league in paint points.

00:29:15 So when you have your only rim protector not playing,

00:29:19 that's a problem.

00:29:20 And that's a big burden on Horford.

00:29:21 I think the Pacers are going to score buckets.

00:29:23 If the Celtics have a game or two

00:29:25 that they're not kind of keeping up, or a bad shooting night,

00:29:30 they can lose.

00:29:31 I don't think it's enough to lose a series,

00:29:33 but it's enough to make this interesting for sure.

00:29:37 Yeah, I agree.

00:29:38 I agree.

00:29:38 I think that's the part that Carlisle is going to highlight

00:29:41 and re-emphasize throughout.

00:29:44 Attack the paint, especially in transition.

00:29:46 Don't always settle for three-point shots.

00:29:48 And I think Myles Turner can be a problem.

00:29:51 Stretching out the Celtics' defense, making Al work,

00:29:54 whether it's knocking down three-point shots or posting up

00:29:57 down low.

00:29:58 I mean, he will be a constant threat in the series.

00:30:00 If he carries on with this offensive rhythm that he's on,

00:30:05 I think he could really be a problem for the Celtics' team.

00:30:08 And the Pacers could definitely win too.

00:30:10 I don't see Porzingis coming back for a game three or game

00:30:14 four out in Indy.

00:30:14 I'd be really surprised.

00:30:15 I think the Celtics are going to be really cautious with him,

00:30:18 as they should be, and just work with him for a comeback

00:30:22 game in the NBA finals.

00:30:24 Maybe a game six or so, maybe.

00:30:27 But I don't think it's ideal.

00:30:29 I really don't.

00:30:30 And Celtics giving up, as you mentioned, John,

00:30:32 69% at the rim right now in these playoffs, which

00:30:34 is the third worst figure.

00:30:37 And I know Joe had that defense of like, oh, we'll

00:30:41 give that up over threes.

00:30:42 But if the Pacers are going to take it to the tune of 50,

00:30:45 60 points, especially in transition, it could hurt you.

00:30:49 And again, I don't think all the Cavs' baskets

00:30:52 that they were scoring there attacking Horford

00:30:54 and putting him in pick and roll and getting Moby going,

00:30:58 I don't think that was all just the Celtics luring them there

00:31:01 and trying to take away threes.

00:31:02 Like, they executed and got there.

00:31:04 I know, but what do the Pacers do well defensively?

00:31:07 What's the one thing they do well, Bobby?

00:31:08 They take away the threes.

00:31:09 They run you off the three point line.

00:31:11 So there's matchup issues here.

00:31:12 Like, the things the Pacers do right now,

00:31:14 they get a lot of their points in the paint,

00:31:17 and you don't have a rim protector,

00:31:18 and they run you off the line.

00:31:19 They're by far the lowest team in the regular season.

00:31:22 They have the better offense in this series.

00:31:23 By far.

00:31:24 And right now, you might argue they're better offense

00:31:26 without Porzingis here because he's the equalizer.

00:31:28 So it's closer to even without Porzingis than we think.

00:31:33 And that's why I think it's going to be competitive.

00:31:36 I still wouldn't shock me if the Celtics blew their doors off

00:31:39 because if they really lock it in.

00:31:41 But I think there's definitely things the Pacers do here,

00:31:43 which, like, just on their own.

00:31:45 I think people look at this series like, well,

00:31:48 if the Celtics don't play like assholes, they win.

00:31:51 Probably.

00:31:51 But I still think the Pacers can give you their best game,

00:31:54 and the Celtics without Porzingis can play a really good game, too.

00:31:57 And the Celtics could lose.

00:31:59 And I didn't think that that was the case in either of the games.

00:32:01 You think the Celtics could lose this series?

00:32:03 No, I think the Celtics can play a good game,

00:32:05 and the Pacers can play a better one.

00:32:07 Like, there was no way if the Celtics played anywhere close

00:32:10 to their level in the first two rounds that they would lose.

00:32:13 Zero chance.

00:32:15 I think the Pacers can just flat out straight beat you.

00:32:18 I also think the Pacers can absolutely fall apart, crumble,

00:32:21 and their offense goes to shit, and you beat them by 35-4.

00:32:24 I could see a couple of blowouts.

00:32:26 Like, this could be one of those series where it's, like,

00:32:28 frustrating because you're winning games big

00:32:31 and then losing, you know, by closer margins,

00:32:34 and it stays tight games-wise.

00:32:37 I'm wondering if the defense will ratchet up on the Pacers

00:32:39 side because they've made it this far.

00:32:41 They've got a lot of confidence going into this series.

00:32:46 I mean, I think we're kind of in the--

00:32:48 I also think that we're kind of in the minority, guys,

00:32:51 because looking at the Vegas Lions,

00:32:54 more people think this is going to be a 4-5 game series.

00:32:57 A lot of people do.

00:32:58 They were saying on the radio today,

00:32:59 this is the second biggest favorite in the East Finals

00:33:03 behind 97 Bulls over Heat.

00:33:06 Yeah, it's over 1,000, minus over 1,000, I believe,

00:33:09 just for the winner of the series.

00:33:11 And I think there's only been four of those

00:33:13 since that time, Bobby.

00:33:15 And so to your point and to what they were saying on the radio,

00:33:19 nationally, where the Celtics want to act like they don't get

00:33:21 any love, nationally, it seems like a lot of people

00:33:25 are assuming that they're going to easily roll in this series.

00:33:28 What we're saying is pump the brakes a little bit.

00:33:31 Not saying that the Celtics aren't going to win,

00:33:33 but just that they can't go into it feeling the way Vegas

00:33:36 feels about it.

00:33:37 Because if they do, the Pacers have the ability

00:33:40 to drop 10 points in 30 seconds on you, right?

00:33:43 I mean, they can get up and down the court,

00:33:45 hit a couple of threes, all of a sudden,

00:33:47 you don't want to be in a situation

00:33:49 where the Pacers all of a sudden go on a 10-0 run

00:33:51 in the fourth quarter, and you're down eight

00:33:55 with two minutes to go out of nowhere.

00:33:57 Because that can happen with this Pacers team.

00:33:59 And if you're the Celtics, yeah, of course,

00:34:02 you have the ability to score in bunches, too.

00:34:03 But we've seen this with this team before.

00:34:06 They start to get in the ISO mode late in the games.

00:34:08 How is that going to change?

00:34:09 How is that execution that we've been

00:34:12 waiting to see on these late, close games going to unfold?

00:34:15 Because we haven't been able to see it much.

00:34:16 We saw it, I think, in one Cavs game this year, last time.

00:34:21 Is that accurate?

00:34:22 Where they actually took a little bit of execution

00:34:25 down the stretch in a close game for them to pull that one off.

00:34:28 That was a good win.

00:34:29 Yeah, Pacers kind of pushed back a little.

00:34:31 It was one of those games, and there's

00:34:32 been a lot of them this year.

00:34:33 And the only crunch time game the Celtics have played

00:34:36 this playoffs was like that, where they're up like 10-15.

00:34:39 Other team storms back a little bit,

00:34:41 technically gets into crunch time,

00:34:42 and the Celtics grind it out.

00:34:44 But it wasn't really a game that went down

00:34:46 to the final basket.

00:34:47 I know Neesmith got a shot at the three for the tie,

00:34:50 but they were coming back from down double digits

00:34:53 at that point.

00:34:53 It wasn't like a tit for tat.

00:34:56 I mean, they also traded for Siakam.

00:34:58 I mean, I know that Siakam isn't--

00:35:01 it's not the equivalent of a holiday

00:35:03 in terms of that experience.

00:35:04 But Siakam's been on a team in Toronto

00:35:08 multiple times that has made their runs, been in the playoffs.

00:35:11 He's a--

00:35:11 Champion.

00:35:12 Yeah, exactly.

00:35:13 There you go.

00:35:14 He's a champion.

00:35:14 So what was it, like a year or two prior to holiday?

00:35:19 When did Toronto win?

00:35:21 19.

00:35:21 So yeah, 21.

00:35:22 Yeah, it was a couple years.

00:35:24 So I mean, he's a similar edition in that sense,

00:35:27 where he brings that experience and that veteran leadership.

00:35:30 And championship coach on Carlisle, too.

00:35:33 Absolutely.

00:35:34 Carlisle's a great coach.

00:35:36 And so again, not to act like the Pacers are the favorite

00:35:43 here, because they're certainly not.

00:35:45 But I actually think that this is going to be--

00:35:48 it has the chance to put a scare into the Celtics team

00:35:51 and be a really good series in terms of--

00:35:54 I said this earlier, John.

00:35:55 It feels like one of those series

00:35:57 where it's like you better win your home games.

00:35:59 Because I think it's going to be hard to go into Indy with all

00:36:01 that energy and momentum.

00:36:03 They get the Indy 500 going on the same weekend.

00:36:07 And they've done the same thing twice.

00:36:10 They've done the same thing in both series now.

00:36:12 And you give them credit for responding to it,

00:36:14 as Joe Sway mentioned earlier.

00:36:15 But they win that runaway game one against Miami.

00:36:19 And then they come on game two and just don't show up.

00:36:22 And then similar thing against that Cavs team

00:36:25 that was coming off of game seven.

00:36:26 You just blow the doors off them in game one.

00:36:28 Then you come on game two, and the Cavs

00:36:30 are running out in transition and just

00:36:32 having their way with you.

00:36:33 And you lose another game at home at that point.

00:36:36 I know Joe made a pretty concerted defense of their home

00:36:39 record the other day at practice,

00:36:41 saying they're 4-2 and they're third out of all the playoff

00:36:44 teams.

00:36:45 But those are two pretty bad losses at home

00:36:47 to start each of those series.

00:36:49 And it put both of those series in a spot

00:36:51 where if the other team took care of business at home, which

00:36:54 Cleveland and Miami weren't able to do for different reasons

00:36:56 there, you're talking about a real series at that point.

00:36:59 So you can't-- it's easy to imagine the Celtics coming out

00:37:02 tomorrow and just rolling over them, right?

00:37:04 They're so rested.

00:37:06 The Pacers had to just go all out to win that.

00:37:08 They play two days earlier.

00:37:10 They don't even have a full two days rest, travel to Boston,

00:37:13 all that.

00:37:15 But game two, you come out and, like Jimmy said,

00:37:19 really take advantage of that home court.

00:37:21 That was something they said they were

00:37:23 going to do better this year.

00:37:24 And they have two real letdowns at home to this point.

00:37:28 So again, just something to watch in this series.

00:37:31 I don't think we think that the Pacers are going to come out

00:37:33 here and beat them, that they're this massive threat.

00:37:36 But you don't want to sit here and say, oh, the Celtics

00:37:40 are going to sweep them.

00:37:41 And then four days from now, the Pacers play this great game.

00:37:44 And you're like, what happened?

00:37:45 There's certainly tools that the Pacers have here

00:37:48 to make this competitive.

00:37:49 And maybe it is another five-game series.

00:37:51 I wouldn't be surprised at all if that's the way it goes.

00:37:53 I wouldn't be surprised.

00:37:54 There's a side of me that thinks the Celtics will roll.

00:37:59 But--

00:38:00 I think I would be pleasantly surprised if that happened.

00:38:03 But yeah, but I do think it's going to be a little bit--

00:38:06 I don't know if I think that's--

00:38:07 --trickier in the early going.

00:38:09 And I could easily see it 2-2 headed back to Boston

00:38:11 at that point.

00:38:12 I'm not sure what's going on.

00:38:13 But we'll see.

00:38:14 I mean, there's definitely things that--

00:38:18 again--

00:38:18 Well, we continue to judge them by the old version

00:38:20 of themselves.

00:38:21 And like Joe Swain I talked about today,

00:38:23 they're not that anymore.

00:38:24 It doesn't seem like--

00:38:26 Well, it says who?

00:38:27 I need to-- that's the thing.

00:38:28 I need to see it against a better opponent, which

00:38:29 I think we're going to find out now.

00:38:31 I don't think that--

00:38:34 look, I know everybody wants to.

00:38:36 I know everyone wants to.

00:38:38 It would feel good to do it, to go out there and be like, wow,

00:38:42 no traces of the old asshole Celtics, OK?

00:38:45 But I don't know that you can say that given the competition.

00:38:49 Because again, I still think they played four subpar games

00:38:53 out of their 10.

00:38:54 Like the two and the losses-- and again,

00:38:57 Miami had to shoot at a historic clip even to win that one--

00:39:00 a win against Miami, and then the closeout game

00:39:03 against Cleveland up until that teeny little three minute

00:39:06 stint where they're like, OK, let's be serious.

00:39:08 So I've seen them be not serious.

00:39:11 For the better part of four games in the playoffs,

00:39:14 that's not a good ratio.

00:39:17 That's 40% of games.

00:39:19 I'm sorry.

00:39:20 And yeah, look, they're human.

00:39:21 You're going to get bored.

00:39:24 But I don't think they did enough in rounds one and two

00:39:28 dispatching these two teams.

00:39:30 I don't think people are fully grasping how ridiculously bad

00:39:35 those teams were when all was said and done from an injury

00:39:38 perspective.

00:39:39 And again, Mitchell goes out literally halfway through.

00:39:41 He goes out in game three.

00:39:43 And without him in four and five and without Alan,

00:39:46 that's a 30-win team.

00:39:48 That's not a playoff team.

00:39:49 They did not--

00:39:50 You missed them Porzingis, though, which--

00:39:51 I know, but still, the Celtics without Porzingis

00:39:55 are still a top of the table team.

00:39:59 These two teams they beat are not playoff teams

00:40:02 at the end of the series.

00:40:04 Neither one was remotely close to a playoff team.

00:40:07 They were not.

00:40:07 So I can't-- I'd love to.

00:40:10 I'd love--

00:40:10 Neither were the Knicks, though.

00:40:13 Yeah, and the Pacers, who knows what the Pacers are?

00:40:15 It's the closest thing to a real team we've seen at this point.

00:40:18 So I don't really know.

00:40:20 I mean, what you have to take into account--

00:40:21 Man, the East is so bad compared to the West.

00:40:23 Well, you have to take into account--

00:40:25 I mean, think about it.

00:40:26 Between 4 and 8--

00:40:27 but 4 and 8 in the regular season

00:40:29 is a freaking four-game separation, between 4 and 8.

00:40:34 So there's really no difference.

00:40:37 So the healthiest team is probably the best team.

00:40:39 And right now, the Pacers are probably

00:40:41 the healthiest in that 2 through 8.

00:40:44 2 through 8, it was a four-game difference.

00:40:47 Seven teams there, packed in between four-game separation.

00:40:51 So the team that was healthiest is probably the biggest

00:40:53 challenge at this point.

00:40:54 And I guess by default, it's the Pacers,

00:40:57 because everyone else was a mess.

00:40:59 Yeah.

00:41:00 That's how bad it's been.

00:41:01 So even without Bordingas--

00:41:03 Yeah.

00:41:04 I just think we can't overlook the fact that the Knicks had

00:41:06 five players out, like five--

00:41:08 You cannot.

00:41:09 --real team guys.

00:41:09 Yeah.

00:41:10 I think that's the part that people sort of forget,

00:41:12 because it's easy to forget.

00:41:13 I mean, when's the last time we saw Julius Randle uniform?

00:41:15 You know, these guys have just been doing this without them

00:41:18 until they ran out of steam.

00:41:20 So again, I want to credit the Pacers,

00:41:23 especially because the second half, or at least

00:41:25 like the second half--

00:41:26 They might not deserve it this way.

00:41:27 You might be right.

00:41:29 Well, I just-- well, yeah, that's the thing.

00:41:30 I just feel like--

00:41:31 They might not deserve that much credit,

00:41:32 because that Knicks team was--

00:41:33 They couldn't close out.

00:41:35 Yeah, they literally-- there's been times

00:41:37 they couldn't close out.

00:41:38 And man, they had me fooled, I'll be honest.

00:41:41 When the Knicks came out strong in the second half,

00:41:43 all of a sudden, it's a seven-point game.

00:41:44 I'm like, oh, well, here we go.

00:41:45 Here we go.

00:41:46 Here comes Indiana showing who they really are.

00:41:48 But then they came back.

00:41:49 I mean, they fought.

00:41:51 You can also talk about Brunson not finishing the game as well.

00:41:54 But I don't know.

00:41:54 A lot of things fell in their favor.

00:41:57 And if you're the Boston Celtics, you have to dominate.

00:42:00 You have to show them that, hey, this

00:42:02 is where your luck runs out.

00:42:03 You have to really send that message.

00:42:04 And I think a big part of that is winning both in home

00:42:07 and then taking one, at least one, over in Indy.

00:42:11 I think that's what Celtics fans would love to see.

00:42:15 That's like best case scenario in this series

00:42:18 without Chris Stapps.

00:42:18 Because I do think not having Chris Stapps

00:42:20 is going to hurt these guys in a way

00:42:21 that it could cost them two games.

00:42:24 I just don't think--

00:42:25 Let me just add, too.

00:42:26 I just think the Celtics have enough

00:42:28 so that they don't win three.

00:42:30 I don't know.

00:42:30 I'd be really surprised this thing goes seven.

00:42:32 You're probably right.

00:42:33 But--

00:42:34 To John's point, though, real quick,

00:42:36 and Grandy threw this out there, the six best teams

00:42:39 in the league net rating-wise the last 30 games of the year

00:42:42 were the Celtics--

00:42:43 Pacers were fifth, I think.

00:42:44 --Nuggets, Wolves, Thunder, Pacers fifth,

00:42:46 and the Mavericks sixth.

00:42:47 So the teams that finished the year strongest

00:42:50 kind of rose to the top.

00:42:52 And the Pacers certainly got breaks.

00:42:54 Celtics got breaks, too.

00:42:55 But they took advantage of them.

00:42:56 And they played well.

00:42:58 The other thing, I think the wild card here on this

00:43:01 is the Pacers played well down the stretch, as you said,

00:43:08 based off of net rating in those last games.

00:43:10 And again, you had the Sixers playing the majority of that,

00:43:13 almost the entirety of it, without Embiid.

00:43:15 And Giannis was out as well for a stretch there.

00:43:18 So Milwaukee was obviously kind of beat up.

00:43:21 And the Knicks had been dealing with stuff all year long.

00:43:23 So you'll excuse them a little for not being in that group.

00:43:26 If they got healthy in time for the playoffs,

00:43:28 I think it would have been a different story.

00:43:30 But they did that without Halliburton,

00:43:34 anywhere close to pre-hamstring injury Halliburton,

00:43:37 which is still really weird.

00:43:38 Because it was a hamstring injury.

00:43:40 And we saw it.

00:43:41 I thought he literally tore his groin and everything else

00:43:46 in between when he went down.

00:43:48 Because that was against the Celtics, that hamstring injury.

00:43:51 And it looked awful.

00:43:53 His pre- and post-splits are--

00:44:00 he's not even close to the same guy.

00:44:02 If he ever-- if he just wakes up and is that guy,

00:44:07 that's another dimension to that team.

00:44:09 If he's not, I don't know.

00:44:11 But he hasn't quite been.

00:44:12 He's been better in the playoffs, I think.

00:44:14 But he really wasn't that same guy at all

00:44:17 that he was prior to.

00:44:18 I mean, we're talking about him in the--

00:44:20 if not MVP, like all NBA.

00:44:22 He was legit the way he was playing.

00:44:26 Does he scare you, Jimmy?

00:44:29 I was going to say, Bobby, he's had a few of these

00:44:32 in the playoffs.

00:44:32 But it comes and goes.

00:44:34 There's some games where he's just flat.

00:44:36 It happened in the first round and at least one game

00:44:38 against the Knicks in this past series.

00:44:41 Does he scare you, Jimmy?

00:44:42 Halliburton, I think he--

00:44:45 he's not a 1A.

00:44:46 He's not in the way that like Luka scares me or like--

00:44:52 Even Mitchell.

00:44:53 Or Mitchell, yeah.

00:44:54 No, he doesn't scare me that way.

00:44:55 I think maybe it's more because he hurts you a lot of playmaking

00:44:59 that he does.

00:45:00 And maybe you don't see it the same way.

00:45:01 He's not going to fill the points up the same way

00:45:03 as some of those guys are.

00:45:05 But he gets his team involved.

00:45:06 I mean, that's the one thing you have to say about him,

00:45:08 is he gets his guys going.

00:45:09 He gets them in gear.

00:45:10 He knows where to find his players.

00:45:13 And he's got a good-- he carries himself well out there.

00:45:15 He's got a lot of confidence.

00:45:17 Yeah, there was a stretch in the regular season, John.

00:45:19 Yeah, you're right.

00:45:20 I mean, he was the hottest ticket in town.

00:45:22 And then he got hurt.

00:45:23 That was the time, right when he went down on that lower body.

00:45:26 It was like a hamstring or something like that.

00:45:29 It was against the Celtics.

00:45:30 He did that split.

00:45:31 He did a dead split.

00:45:32 And we were like, oh my god.

00:45:33 He tore everything.

00:45:35 Yeah.

00:45:36 So I'm glad that he's back and back in the plane, obviously.

00:45:39 But that was the hot, hot streak for him.

00:45:42 He doesn't scare me in the way some of those other superstars

00:45:45 do.

00:45:46 But I still think that he's capable of hurting you.

00:45:50 Maybe not by himself.

00:45:51 Again, I think he does have to rely on some of his other guys.

00:45:55 Siakam-- who's the guy--

00:46:01 blanking on his name, the center there now.

00:46:03 Turner.

00:46:04 Yeah, Turner, the guy who's been there.

00:46:05 Turner's kind of the heart and soul of that team.

00:46:08 Joe Swayze is X Factor.

00:46:09 I say heart and soul.

00:46:10 He is the guy that the fans have rallied around over these years.

00:46:14 He's been a part of a lot of different makeup of this team.

00:46:19 They chose him over Sabonis, effectively.

00:46:21 He's the guy that everybody wants to see win.

00:46:23 I just think they couldn't move him.

00:46:25 That's a huge mistake.

00:46:26 Sabonis was the only thing that could get you something else.

00:46:29 That's a mean way to put it, John.

00:46:30 But all right.

00:46:31 Right.

00:46:31 I don't think that--

00:46:32 They tried to trade.

00:46:33 It's probably accurate.

00:46:34 Because he was in so many rumors.

00:46:36 He and John Collins, year after year.

00:46:39 That's fair, because they were going to probably trade.

00:46:42 I wanted something to trade for him.

00:46:43 Before they got Albeck, I wanted them to get in the mix for that.

00:46:46 I was part of that, too.

00:46:47 The little Hayward thing.

00:46:48 Yeah.

00:46:48 I was part of that, too.

00:46:50 That was the deal Danny refused to make.

00:46:52 Yes.

00:46:53 Man, that feels like so long ago now.

00:46:55 That was TPE.

00:46:57 That was the deal he refused to make.

00:47:00 The TPE era.

00:47:01 We've been doing this a while now.

00:47:03 Oh my god.

00:47:04 Remember what we used to get mad about?

00:47:06 TPE.

00:47:06 Guys, be happy I'm just getting mad at fans now.

00:47:12 There's not much to get mad about.

00:47:14 One of my favorite lines was like, guys,

00:47:16 the TPE from John Wright is nothing.

00:47:19 OK?

00:47:20 It's nothing.

00:47:22 You're not going to just turn it into this magical player who's

00:47:25 going to solve all your problems.

00:47:26 Oh, would you like a TPE?

00:47:27 You need stuff with it.

00:47:29 Like, oh, well, they got another TPE out of him.

00:47:31 We're like, we have 14 TPEs.

00:47:32 I think people were like, you just

00:47:34 trade a TPE for a really good player.

00:47:36 Done.

00:47:37 You know, like the money matches up.

00:47:38 Like, no, you need stuff.

00:47:40 The clock is ticking.

00:47:41 You've got to cash in this TPE, guys.

00:47:44 What are they going to do?

00:47:45 It's kind of crazy how it went for them, because they were

00:47:47 going to trade him for Hayward.

00:47:48 They were probably going to trade him for Eaton,

00:47:50 because they had the Eaton deal signed.

00:47:52 It was on paper.

00:47:53 And then the sun crashed it.

00:47:54 Could have done it.

00:47:55 But here they are with a really good looking team

00:47:58 into the future.

00:47:58 And they miss a Mathren here, which is worth mentioning.

00:48:01 I know he went out in January.

00:48:02 Yeah.

00:48:02 But he's a really good player.

00:48:04 Talk about a shooter.

00:48:05 Yeah.

00:48:05 He was good.

00:48:06 That's a big three point champ.

00:48:08 It's a loss you got to consider here.

00:48:09 They traded Bruce Brown for Siakam.

00:48:11 That was a real loss.

00:48:12 They have no perimeter defenders.

00:48:14 And so we do have to mention, I can't believe we're this far

00:48:16 into the show without mentioning him, but Nismith.

00:48:18 I was just thinking it.

00:48:20 8-8.

00:48:20 The guy.

00:48:21 19 points.

00:48:22 John, I know you're a bigger Langford fan,

00:48:24 but you were a big Nismith fan too.

00:48:26 And look at him go.

00:48:29 I think that was Sharad.

00:48:30 He's a Nismith fan.

00:48:31 I did not--

00:48:31 I'm more a fan of just giving them a chance.

00:48:33 I just wanted them both to get a chance.

00:48:35 But if I was betting, a betting man, I thought Romeo--

00:48:40 I thought Nismith, truthfully, fooled everybody

00:48:44 with that one little stretch of shooting

00:48:48 for a short period of time in--

00:48:50 In Vanderbilt.

00:48:51 In a shortened season with Vanderbilt.

00:48:54 That one year where he just shot a really high mark from three,

00:48:57 and then he got here and we were like, he's not a good shooter.

00:49:00 Do that.

00:49:01 Yeah.

00:49:02 Yeah, it's like, oh, he's not a lights out shooter.

00:49:04 Like, this isn't what we--

00:49:06 this isn't what I paid for.

00:49:07 Shot like 50% in Vanderbilt.

00:49:09 And then he did.

00:49:09 But I thought it was just--

00:49:11 I thought they got--

00:49:13 I thought they got a fake bill of goods off of him.

00:49:16 And I thought Romeo, because he had a pedigree

00:49:18 and he was a top high school player,

00:49:20 if you could ever just get that friggin expression off his face

00:49:24 and had someone who can motivate him, he had a shot.

00:49:26 He had Romeo's motor in Langford's skill.

00:49:29 You need Smith's motor, yes.

00:49:31 You'd have Kawhi Leonard.

00:49:33 But he-- honestly, I'm so happy for him.

00:49:36 I really am.

00:49:38 Because he made something of himself.

00:49:41 He's like really useful.

00:49:44 I wanted him to be useful.

00:49:45 I never thought he would.

00:49:46 Yeah.

00:49:48 Yeah.

00:49:48 8 to 8, 19 points in a game seven, man.

00:49:52 Not easy.

00:49:53 And MSG--

00:49:53 Look at this.

00:49:54 This is a throwback show, yeah.

00:49:57 Yeah.

00:49:58 Oh, that's a day one right there.

00:49:59 Right here.

00:50:00 TPE talk and Romeo and Smith.

00:50:02 We're in the bubble right now.

00:50:03 If you can quote that era, you've been with us--

00:50:06 Someone sent a tweet that everyone

00:50:08 was posting the Porzingis bike videos the other day.

00:50:10 And everyone was-- well, one guy was like, bike watch.

00:50:13 And I was like, that's--

00:50:14 you must have been watching a long time to remember bike watch.

00:50:17 Bike watch.

00:50:17 Yeah, that's right.

00:50:20 Bike watch, yeah.

00:50:22 I love how Tatum just stopped doing that.

00:50:23 We were like, that's the weirdest thing ever.

00:50:25 We bullied him out of it.

00:50:26 We bullied him out of it.

00:50:27 We literally bullied him out of it.

00:50:29 That was the strangest thing.

00:50:30 They were like, look, Jason, they're

00:50:32 making fun of you again.

00:50:33 Yeah, that's probably what happened.

00:50:34 Marcus showed them.

00:50:35 Yeah, Jason, they say you don't like your teammates.

00:50:36 They say you don't even know your teammates' names.

00:50:38 Or maybe somebody just went up to him and like, dude,

00:50:40 this looks bullshit.

00:50:42 You know, like, you've got to stop, man.

00:50:45 Yeah, but you know it probably came from someone that's like--

00:50:48 that's not around the team often.

00:50:49 And it was just like, wait, does he always do that?

00:50:51 And then they realized, wait, this is--

00:50:52 Remember John just left the show and rode the bike?

00:50:55 It was the greatest--

00:50:56 Maybe Tatum saw that and was like, oh, yeah, that's--

00:50:59 You got a half mile, then.

00:51:00 There's no chance any of them saw any of these shows.

00:51:03 And that's fine.

00:51:04 But that's fine.

00:51:05 That's awesome.

00:51:06 Yeah, Marcus-- the guy who showed Marcus

00:51:09 the clip of the show showed Tatum the bike stuff.

00:51:11 And he's like, yeah.

00:51:14 It really was weird.

00:51:15 It was really, really weird stuff.

00:51:16 But that's fine.

00:51:17 We're well past Bike Watch at this point.

00:51:19 But is Neesmith a factor in the series?

00:51:21 I was going to ask.

00:51:22 Here's why he is a factor.

00:51:23 You know what the Celtics stupidly do

00:51:25 when they play the Pacers?

00:51:27 They target him.

00:51:29 He's a good defender.

00:51:31 He's annoying.

00:51:33 Tatum did not have success trying

00:51:35 to go one-on-one against Neesmith last time at all.

00:51:38 And they kept going to it, thinking

00:51:40 they had a matchup there.

00:51:41 The only thing that worries me with the Celtics on offense

00:51:44 is, instead of just going with the flow,

00:51:47 thinking they've got matchups everywhere

00:51:49 and really stalling out--

00:51:51 I don't think Neesmith is a guy you attack.

00:51:53 Like, sure, he can get in foul trouble.

00:51:55 He's not going to get the benefit of the doubt.

00:51:56 Here's the thing.

00:51:57 All the people out there who think Tatum never gets a call,

00:52:00 yes, have him attack Neesmith all day long.

00:52:02 Because I guarantee Neesmith's going to get

00:52:04 fewer calls in that scenario.

00:52:07 He's not a friend of the refs.

00:52:08 He gets called on tiki-tac stuff.

00:52:10 But he freaking competes, man.

00:52:11 He's not easy to get around.

00:52:12 He moves his feet.

00:52:13 High motor, high energy.

00:52:15 He's a-- it's not the matchup they think it is.

00:52:19 Doesn't he kind of get under their skin a little bit?

00:52:20 And I would agree with this.

00:52:22 And this is what bugged me last series.

00:52:23 He couldn't get around Struis.

00:52:25 This is what I was killing Tatum for.

00:52:28 He couldn't.

00:52:29 He couldn't.

00:52:30 He couldn't get around Struis.

00:52:33 Anyway, what were you saying?

00:52:34 And Aaron is inspired.

00:52:36 He's ready for this matchup.

00:52:39 I feel like Neesmith gets under their skin a little bit.

00:52:41 Maybe because he's so reckless.

00:52:42 He's probably head-butting them accidentally like 14 times.

00:52:45 But I feel like he's one of those guys.

00:52:48 He's the kid that they were scrimmaging against

00:52:51 and having their way with.

00:52:52 I feel like that's part of it as well.

00:52:54 I was like, hey, we're not going to let this dude beat us.

00:52:56 So I think there's some of that as well.

00:52:58 Some chirping going on.

00:52:59 And good for him.

00:53:01 I think the fact that Joe was so short with the whole,

00:53:04 like, what do you think of Neesmith question today

00:53:07 was because he's going to be a problem in the series.

00:53:09 He's like, I'm going to try--

00:53:10 Wait, what did Joe say?

00:53:11 He didn't like that question?

00:53:12 No, he just gave the classic, it's good.

00:53:14 Good for him.

00:53:15 In other words, I'm not going to gush over this dude who's

00:53:18 not on our team anymore.

00:53:20 You should.

00:53:20 He used to come up for the finals.

00:53:22 You should.

00:53:22 Yeah, but he hates that.

00:53:24 He hates that stuff.

00:53:24 That's just such normal things to do.

00:53:26 It's such a normal thing to do.

00:53:28 Like, someone just got to tell Joe,

00:53:30 like, that's a really obvious, easy thing to do.

00:53:33 A guy played for you, and you traded him,

00:53:35 and he's doing well elsewhere, the natural response

00:53:38 is good for him.

00:53:39 He didn't play for Joe.

00:53:41 He didn't play for Joe.

00:53:42 Joe was his assistant.

00:53:44 Joe trained him the whole day.

00:53:45 Joe was there.

00:53:47 Oh, you think that's what it is?

00:53:48 Is that what it is, Jimmy?

00:53:49 Is that why Joe's not claiming him?

00:53:50 He's like, that's not my dude.

00:53:51 Yeah, maybe.

00:53:54 If anyone was Joe's dude, it was him,

00:53:56 because he was the developmental coach,

00:53:57 and he coached Pritchard and Nismith.

00:53:59 So that makes it extra weird that he went.

00:54:01 He's probably the only guy who talked to them.

00:54:03 Yeah.

00:54:04 It's probably just some mind games, you know?

00:54:06 Joe's playing a little mind game.

00:54:07 Yeah, because Joe had no game.

00:54:08 I guess.

00:54:09 He had coach to follow him around.

00:54:10 Remember, Bobby, we had Nismith on the show,

00:54:12 and I kind of, like, tried to ask him

00:54:13 whether Tatum even knew his name?

00:54:17 That was a great interview.

00:54:18 I still-- I love that one.

00:54:19 That was with the New Balance interview?

00:54:21 Yeah, he was just a really nice guy.

00:54:23 He's a really good guy.

00:54:24 I'm a big Aaron fan.

00:54:26 I love the guy.

00:54:27 And the trade made sense for both sides.

00:54:30 It did.

00:54:31 It did.

00:54:31 Is it because he did that interview?

00:54:34 No, I--

00:54:35 Bobby--

00:54:35 --will buy his thing.

00:54:37 Yeah, Bobby will love players if they give him a--

00:54:40 No, I liked him as a draft pick.

00:54:42 I really did.

00:54:42 And then he didn't like what you saw, as John said,

00:54:45 when the results started flowing there.

00:54:47 But it was a weird year, remember?

00:54:49 The draft was in November.

00:54:50 They didn't have camp.

00:54:51 It was the congested season, yeah.

00:54:53 Shout out to Pritchard, who actually came out

00:54:55 and played well that year.

00:54:56 I think he just-- from all the experience he had.

00:54:58 But it was a rough start for Neesmith.

00:55:00 And he probably needed a fresh start to some degree.

00:55:03 So there's certainly no regrets there.

00:55:05 He just always seemed overwhelmed, you know?

00:55:07 Just--

00:55:08 Oh, yeah.

00:55:09 In the end game, even on the side sometimes,

00:55:12 when people kind of joke around, it

00:55:13 sounded like he was just trying to absorb everything,

00:55:15 but just in his head a lot of the times.

00:55:17 And yeah, I mean, sometimes that's

00:55:19 what it takes for a player, just a fresh start

00:55:21 elsewhere, that thing in their head where it's like, man,

00:55:27 I didn't think that I could be traded.

00:55:28 Like, wait, what?

00:55:29 What do you mean I'm traded?

00:55:30 That shock value, I think there's

00:55:32 something to that for some players where

00:55:34 they go to the next stop.

00:55:35 They're like, OK, I have to make this work.

00:55:37 Or it's a seamless fit when they obviously are hurt in one way,

00:55:43 but also saying, OK, well, at least a team does want me.

00:55:46 And this is a fresh start, not as much pressure situation

00:55:50 like the Pacers compared to a team like the Celtics that's

00:55:53 chasing a championship.

00:55:54 So yeah, I think it all came together for him.

00:55:56 Yeah.

00:55:57 Did you guys talk about any actual basketball earlier,

00:55:59 like key to the series?

00:56:01 You guys did your X factors?

00:56:02 No, we haven't done-- we did-- first of all, yes,

00:56:05 we did talk actual basketball, but we did not

00:56:07 hit on the actual lower third stuff that we have here.

00:56:10 So if you want--

00:56:10 I'll just throw it out there.

00:56:11 Before we wrap, let's get into some just series prediction

00:56:14 sort of stuff.

00:56:15 So what-- go around the horn.

00:56:16 Your key to the series, Bobby, is what for the Celtics to do?

00:56:21 I think it's the depth, the bench minutes here.

00:56:25 Because obviously, if you're in Indiana,

00:56:27 you need to survive when Hal Burton's off the floor.

00:56:29 I think they were like plus 6.7 with him on compared

00:56:32 to off this year, which was like in the 84th percentile.

00:56:35 Celtics were great during the year, plus 12 without Tatum

00:56:38 there.

00:56:39 So that bench has been a strength for Boston.

00:56:41 In this series, is it going to be?

00:56:43 Last series was a great Cornet series.

00:56:45 This one, not really.

00:56:48 So do you go to Tillman at a certain point

00:56:52 when he's back and available?

00:56:54 Do you go to Brissett here, who's a former pacer?

00:56:57 You're going to have to try to find some minutes there

00:56:59 from depth guys.

00:57:00 By the way, John, this is not the first time

00:57:02 he's mentioned Luke.

00:57:04 And how has he been better than I thought in the playoffs?

00:57:06 44% from three.

00:57:08 Doesn't feel like he's made a major mark so far, though.

00:57:11 He hasn't made any.

00:57:12 In any way.

00:57:13 Pritchard's been fantastic.

00:57:14 He disappeared last series.

00:57:17 I don't even know how they're played.

00:57:18 Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

00:57:20 So Indiana might have the edge there in this series.

00:57:24 And can they actually weaponize that?

00:57:25 Can those--

00:57:26 I did not think Bobby--

00:57:27 I just didn't think Bobby was going to get me right there

00:57:31 with that Luke stuff.

00:57:32 With the Luke, oh man.

00:57:33 That's crazy.

00:57:34 Obi Toppin.

00:57:34 It is.

00:57:35 It is.

00:57:35 It's going to show up.

00:57:36 They have an athletic bench.

00:57:38 So--

00:57:38 Obi Toppin played the series of his life.

00:57:40 Jackson's physical, versatile.

00:57:43 Luke should not play.

00:57:45 But who's going to?

00:57:48 Anybody.

00:57:48 Literally anybody else.

00:57:50 Go small.

00:57:51 You might have to go small.

00:57:52 Tatum at the five.

00:57:54 Tatum at the five.

00:57:55 Practice that.

00:57:56 That might happen, John.

00:57:57 That might happen.

00:57:57 That last game against the Pacers,

00:57:59 I didn't think there were any Tatum five minutes this year

00:58:01 off the top of my head.

00:58:02 But I saw someone post a video today.

00:58:04 He did play a little bit in that last Pacers-Celtics game

00:58:07 at the five.

00:58:08 They won five out.

00:58:09 So we're going to have to see it in this series.

00:58:12 I don't think there's any way around it.

00:58:14 If you played for 40 minutes a game in this series,

00:58:16 that's something that could actually put you in trouble

00:58:19 of going six-seven games here.

00:58:21 Yeah, the unathletic bench--

00:58:23 I mean, the athletic difference on the bench

00:58:26 here scares me a little bit.

00:58:27 TJ McConnell is really good.

00:58:29 I'm surprised Jimmy hasn't talked about TJ nonstop here.

00:58:32 He's my X Factor.

00:58:33 Oh, yeah, that's your dude.

00:58:35 If you want to jump to X Factor, he's there.

00:58:37 We'll get to X Factors in a minute.

00:58:38 Key to the series, go this way.

00:58:40 Key to the series.

00:58:42 Key to the series for the Celtics,

00:58:45 protecting the paint, rim protection.

00:58:46 I mean, I think that's the part that without Chris Thaps,

00:58:50 the Pacers can really keep up with the Celtics offensively.

00:58:53 I mean, we know who they are.

00:58:55 Overall, one of the best offensive teams in the NBA.

00:58:58 But I think when the Celtics are at their best defensively,

00:59:02 it's going to cause issues for these guys.

00:59:04 And they're going to resort to trying

00:59:05 to get high percentage shots.

00:59:06 And if the three-point shots fall on guys like Haliburton,

00:59:10 even Miles Turner had a huge game against the Knicks

00:59:14 from behind the arc.

00:59:15 Like when that stuff happens, I think

00:59:16 that's where the Celtics could really be--

00:59:19 yeah, I mean, possessions are going to be important as well.

00:59:22 I don't know if the Celtics--

00:59:23 I mean, I don't know if the Pacers,

00:59:25 in terms of winning the rebounding battle,

00:59:26 I think it adds to the issues for the Celtics

00:59:28 if that happens.

00:59:29 But I don't think it's something that

00:59:30 will really play a big part.

00:59:31 It's just more about how many additional possessions

00:59:34 can these guys come up with when the Pacers are going downhill

00:59:37 and they're in their bag.

00:59:38 Because that stuff's going to happen.

00:59:39 They're going to go on their runs.

00:59:41 They're going to-- it's going to be important to see how

00:59:43 the Celtics respond to that.

00:59:45 But rim protection, I feel like it

00:59:46 can be an issue for these guys as the series goes on

00:59:49 and there's no crisp steps.

00:59:50 I think that hurts.

00:59:51 Jimmy?

00:59:53 So for me, I don't want to confuse people with--

00:59:56 I'm not saying play slow.

00:59:58 I hate when they play too slow.

01:00:01 But I do think that they need to avoid getting into a back

01:00:05 and forth, up and down with the Pacers.

01:00:07 I don't think that's what they want.

01:00:08 I think they need to actually instill a little toughness.

01:00:13 I'd love to see Holiday and White just

01:00:16 get up and in Halliburton and just take him out

01:00:18 of this series.

01:00:19 I don't mean hurt him.

01:00:20 I just mean just eliminate his ability to do much.

01:00:23 And we've seen it.

01:00:25 We've seen Holiday.

01:00:27 We've seen some really good hard glimpses of Holiday

01:00:29 so far in the playoffs.

01:00:31 This would be another really good one for him.

01:00:32 But I really want to see the Celtics slow it down

01:00:34 a little bit.

01:00:36 You know, maximize their possessions.

01:00:40 But just don't get into the back and forth with Indy.

01:00:43 Because that's what Indy wants.

01:00:44 Indy wants to dance.

01:00:46 They just want to prance around and dance and shoot and score

01:00:49 and get back and do it again, back and forth,

01:00:52 back and forth.

01:00:53 They don't want to get down and dirty

01:00:55 on the defensive end of things.

01:00:56 You know what it is, too.

01:00:58 They're going to try to hide Halliburton on Drew.

01:01:02 So Drew's got to take advantage of that.

01:01:05 They can try whatever they want.

01:01:06 Yeah, they can try whatever they want.

01:01:07 Post his ass up.

01:01:09 I've said this before, too.

01:01:10 The Celtics are the big bad wolf here.

01:01:12 The Celtics don't play to what the Pacers want.

01:01:16 The Pacers are forced to try to figure out

01:01:19 how to stop the Celtics.

01:01:20 That's how this series should be played.

01:01:23 Yeah, for me, I said it earlier about defense.

01:01:26 Seriously, in this series, again, the great equalizer

01:01:33 is you can play defense.

01:01:34 They can't.

01:01:35 So what's your greatest advantage here?

01:01:40 Don't get into, we're all stars.

01:01:41 And I'm Tatum Cook.

01:01:44 And they're both good offensive teams.

01:01:48 What you guys can do is defend.

01:01:50 So lock them up, especially on the perimeter.

01:01:53 And lock those guys up.

01:01:54 Don't give them space.

01:01:55 Play aggressive.

01:01:56 Don't do stupid shit where you concede certain things.

01:02:00 Just play defense.

01:02:02 Defense, I think, wins it, as always.

01:02:05 And again, that's the great equalizer.

01:02:07 Celtics can play both.

01:02:09 A lot of teams cannot.

01:02:10 And this is the greatest advantage

01:02:12 they have here is on the defensive end and the ability

01:02:15 to make things tough.

01:02:16 They lock it down.

01:02:17 That's going to make it easier on offense.

01:02:19 Turn defense to offense.

01:02:21 And that's how they're going to get going.

01:02:23 So take defense seriously early.

01:02:25 Don't go out there and just be like, we're awesome.

01:02:27 And we're going to just let our offense do the talking.

01:02:30 I don't think that that's the case.

01:02:32 I will say offensively, though, I mentioned this earlier.

01:02:35 Don't get caught matchup hunting all game long.

01:02:38 Move it, move it, move it, move it.

01:02:41 Don't stagnate.

01:02:42 That's going to drive me freaking insane.

01:02:44 So don't do that.

01:02:46 Switching gears to the Pacers.

01:02:48 What can the Pacers do?

01:02:50 We're going to start with Jimmy.

01:02:51 What can they do?

01:02:52 Give the ball to TJ McConnell?

01:02:55 The Pacers can stay healthy, first of all,

01:02:56 unlike any of the other teams that the Celtics have had to

01:02:59 play.

01:02:59 They can't afford to lose anybody.

01:03:00 Tell them, Jimmy.

01:03:02 Honestly, the Pacers have to ride this wave of momentum

01:03:08 that they're on.

01:03:08 They have to ride this young, young, careless energy

01:03:12 that they have.

01:03:13 And they have to pretty much--

01:03:14 this in-game momentum is going to carry them

01:03:16 to a couple of wins, I think.

01:03:17 That's something that I think is going to happen to them.

01:03:20 I think they're going to get a couple of wins at home off

01:03:23 of the energy that they feed out.

01:03:24 Just watching the Pacers game, especially in the playoffs

01:03:26 here, they're high energy.

01:03:28 They get going fast.

01:03:30 I can tell they really, really enjoy each other

01:03:31 and enjoy playing with each other.

01:03:34 And I think that they can score in bunches.

01:03:36 So [AUDIO OUT] to slow it down.

01:03:39 If they don't, the Pacers need to take advantage of that.

01:03:42 They actually do need to maximize their possessions.

01:03:43 That's really what they need to do.

01:03:45 And they've done a great job of that this year.

01:03:47 I think they led the league in field goal percentage.

01:03:49 So it's not like they're taking bad shots.

01:03:52 They're taking a lot of shots, and they're figuring out ways

01:03:54 to be effective.

01:03:55 And you guys already talked about their ability

01:03:57 to score in the paint.

01:03:58 I think that's a great idea for them.

01:04:00 Somebody said it earlier.

01:04:00 I don't know who it was.

01:04:01 But we just talked about the fact

01:04:03 that it's not a good Cornet series, Porzingis.

01:04:07 We've seen some limitations with Horford,

01:04:09 especially last year's against the Cavs.

01:04:11 It's going to be in their best interest to attack the paint,

01:04:14 whether they get to the line or not.

01:04:16 So I think that's how they're going to be

01:04:17 able to compete in this one.

01:04:20 Joe Sway?

01:04:22 Yeah, same.

01:04:24 Attacking the paint, just trying to collect

01:04:27 fouls from the Celtics, I think that's

01:04:28 going to be a big part of what they do.

01:04:29 And in establishing that, I think

01:04:32 you're going to see them start spraying that ball out

01:04:34 to three-point shooters, guys that can knock them down,

01:04:37 guys that can get hot, like Halliburton, for example,

01:04:41 to the point where that could carry

01:04:43 into the end of the game, especially in the second half

01:04:45 where he's done that throughout these playoffs.

01:04:48 I think their bench could play a part in this one as well.

01:04:51 I think they have to find that consistent production

01:04:54 from the second unit.

01:04:54 And I don't think they're going to have a problem with that.

01:04:57 I really don't.

01:04:57 I think it'll be interesting to see what the Celtics bench look

01:05:00 like outside of Payne Pritchard, which I talked about a little

01:05:03 bit before you came on, John, how Hauser just disappeared

01:05:07 against the Cavs.

01:05:08 And I don't think he can get away with that in this one.

01:05:11 I think the Celtics need something out of Hauser

01:05:15 offensively coming off of that bench.

01:05:17 Because let's face it, after Pritchard, after Hauser,

01:05:19 it gets really, really thin.

01:05:20 I mean, they just don't have guys

01:05:22 that can put up points, if we're being completely

01:05:24 honest with the Celtics team.

01:05:26 And I think when it comes to Iwanewit,

01:05:28 you're going to want other guys to step in defensively.

01:05:31 You can have reinforcements.

01:05:33 I wouldn't mind seeing Tillman at some point in this series

01:05:35 just to see if he can gather stops,

01:05:40 if Luke doesn't pan out, which I think he might have

01:05:43 a tough time in this series.

01:05:45 So yeah, I think just attacking the Celtics,

01:05:48 trying to get their free throw line,

01:05:50 establishing their inside presence with guys

01:05:52 like Siakam and Miles Turner will

01:05:55 be a part of their game plan for sure.

01:05:56 And on the defensive end of the floor,

01:05:58 just keeping guys in front of Tatum and Brown,

01:06:00 trying to rattle one of these guys or both of them

01:06:02 into poor shooting nights.

01:06:04 I think that's a big part of what's

01:06:06 going to go into them putting together a win to start off,

01:06:09 especially in Boston.

01:06:10 I think it's going to be really hard for them

01:06:13 to steal one of these games.

01:06:14 Yeah, I'll jump in, Bobby, and I'll give you yours.

01:06:16 I'm going to say, again, what I said earlier.

01:06:19 Pacers key, I think, is trying to run the Celtics off

01:06:21 the three-point line and make their offense play

01:06:24 the way you want them to play instead

01:06:26 of the way they want to play.

01:06:27 I think if the Pacers-- because the Pacers can't defend

01:06:29 straight up, but if they can get the Celtics to--

01:06:31 if they can alter the shot profile to their liking,

01:06:35 they might be able to win the math game here.

01:06:37 So I'm going to go a little bit--

01:06:38 I'm going to go all Joe Mazzullo on you guys.

01:06:40 I think the Pacers have to play the numbers game a little bit

01:06:43 with the Celtics here and concedes.

01:06:45 And actually, that's what-- here's the thing,

01:06:47 and that's what always bugged me with the Celtics conceding

01:06:50 things.

01:06:51 When you're physically better than the other team,

01:06:53 you shouldn't concede things and do Mickey Mouse stuff

01:06:55 and try to--

01:06:56 whatever.

01:06:56 You should just play them straight up and aggressive

01:06:58 and just bend them to your will.

01:07:01 Well, guess what Joe said today.

01:07:03 You got to live with certain stuff.

01:07:05 Like what?

01:07:07 Certain shots.

01:07:07 Things that they do well.

01:07:08 Yeah.

01:07:09 Things that Pacers are just going to get naturally,

01:07:11 you have to live with certain things.

01:07:12 No, I think you're going to live with Nem Heart being wide open.

01:07:16 You're going to live with guys like that.

01:07:17 I hate that, but I'm saying from the Pacers,

01:07:19 I think the Pacers need to play that tactic.

01:07:21 I hate when the Celtics do it, but I

01:07:23 think the Pacers need to play that tactic

01:07:25 and actually try to move the numbers game in their favor.

01:07:29 Do what they do and defend that three-point line.

01:07:31 Make the Celtics take different shots.

01:07:33 Force those guys.

01:07:33 And again, force Tatum and Brown to take it into the interior.

01:07:36 Maybe not Brown as much.

01:07:38 Force Tatum to take it to the hole

01:07:41 and take shots as opposed to just letting guys--

01:07:46 especially, you want Holiday trying to go at people

01:07:50 or as opposed to just camping out at the three-point line.

01:07:53 You want to run wide off the line there.

01:07:54 So if they can do that, if the Pacers can manipulate

01:07:59 the Celtics a little bit into playing the type of offensive

01:08:02 game the Pacers want the Celtics to play,

01:08:04 I could see that being problematic.

01:08:06 Bobby?

01:08:07 Yeah, a lot has to go right here.

01:08:09 I think the biggest one is just Boyzengus

01:08:11 being out the whole series.

01:08:12 That'll open the door, and then they

01:08:14 have to set the tone with their pace.

01:08:16 They have to establish how the series is going to be played.

01:08:20 And that's fast and frenetic.

01:08:22 Keep their turnovers down.

01:08:23 Force the Celtics into some turnovers.

01:08:26 And just find different ways to get the shot advantage,

01:08:28 like you said, John, with the math there.

01:08:30 They're going to have to shoot more, get more threes up.

01:08:33 That's all going to be a factor here.

01:08:35 But it does come down to--

01:08:36 Josue mentioned MC Occom being great.

01:08:38 Like I always say, draft the players in the series here.

01:08:41 And right now, it's Tatum, Brown.

01:08:46 You're probably throwing in Derek White

01:08:48 there to some degree before you get to Halliburton and Siakam.

01:08:52 If you're Siakam, really rank yourself

01:08:54 up the hierarchy of the series.

01:08:56 You've got to play better than Brown.

01:08:58 You've got to play better than White, certainly.

01:09:00 And you've got to be right there with Tatum.

01:09:03 And Halliburton's going to come up big, too, here.

01:09:05 It always, a lot of the time, comes down

01:09:06 to the best players in the series.

01:09:08 And in this series, where Tatum's averaging 32 and 11

01:09:11 against his team during this year,

01:09:13 it's going to be hard for Halliburton

01:09:15 to be the best player in the series.

01:09:16 Siakam has struggled mightily in that Brown matchup in the past,

01:09:19 as we remember here, going back to some of those playoff

01:09:22 series.

01:09:24 It's an uphill battle for Indy here.

01:09:26 And that's why they're the underdogs they are.

01:09:28 But Porzingis being out for the whole series would help a lot.

01:09:33 And then shoring up some of the weaknesses

01:09:35 that they would have in this series.

01:09:36 Josue mentioned the rebounding and that pace.

01:09:38 It's got to be there.

01:09:40 They got to really just play harder than the Celtics.

01:09:43 And White was talking about that today,

01:09:45 how the Celtics are really trying

01:09:46 to emphasize being that harder playing team in this series.

01:09:49 Because it almost comes natural to the Pacers.

01:09:52 They're so used to the hustle style.

01:09:55 Yeah.

01:09:57 They make it up as they go.

01:09:58 They're kind of all over the place.

01:10:00 But they're going to come at you.

01:10:01 And that's the thing, is we've got to match their energy.

01:10:06 We've got to make sure that we're

01:10:08 matching their energy out there.

01:10:10 You can't be in that position.

01:10:11 Can't do that.

01:10:12 Can't have the we didn't match their energy soundbites after.

01:10:15 I think there's going to be at least one of those games.

01:10:17 I'm already mad about it.

01:10:20 So we'll see.

01:10:21 We'll see.

01:10:23 We'll see.

01:10:23 Yeah, it's a little Jalen.

01:10:25 But I think-- actually, I'll jump out here.

01:10:29 I'm not even talking X Factor.

01:10:31 I'm going to-- my prediction on who's going to be the man for--

01:10:35 my conference finals MVP prediction

01:10:37 is Brown, who I think is going to have a monster series.

01:10:41 I think he's going to carve them up.

01:10:46 Because I think he's going to carve them up.

01:10:50 So I expect big games from Brown.

01:10:52 Predictions, we all have the Celtics.

01:10:54 But in how many games around the horn?

01:10:56 Jimmy?

01:10:58 Six.

01:11:00 Yeah, six.

01:11:00 I think the Celtics win the first two.

01:11:03 Pacers win the next two.

01:11:04 And then Celtics win the game five at home.

01:11:06 And then somehow they just turn into NBA finals ready mode.

01:11:12 And they just win on the road game six.

01:11:15 Bobby?

01:11:15 Two-two game five.

01:11:16 Wow.

01:11:17 Bobby?

01:11:18 Yeah, I'll go six as well.

01:11:20 Six.

01:11:22 Josue?

01:11:23 We did this again, guys.

01:11:24 Damn it.

01:11:25 Yeah, I got to sell this in six.

01:11:26 I think they steal one in Indy.

01:11:30 And they close it out in Indy.

01:11:34 Yeah, I think that's how it's going to go.

01:11:36 Again, with no Porzingis.

01:11:37 With no Porzingis.

01:11:38 No, I know.

01:11:39 I was going to say something else.

01:11:40 I was like, wait, that doesn't make sense.

01:11:43 Again, again, with no Porzingis.

01:11:46 If Porzingis comes back, then they can wrap this up in five.

01:11:50 But I think it's going to be six.

01:11:52 I said Celtics in seven.

01:11:55 Because I do think it's--

01:11:57 Has Porzingis come back for game seven?

01:11:59 One, because I was bored.

01:12:00 And I figured I'd say something different.

01:12:03 Also, I just don't see it being a runaway in five,

01:12:05 though it would not surprise me.

01:12:07 And I don't think Porzingis is going to play for a while.

01:12:11 I don't think the news feels encouraging.

01:12:15 I don't think what he's doing--

01:12:16 He doesn't look good.

01:12:17 I don't think what he's doing remotely

01:12:19 resembles a person even close to starting

01:12:22 to resume basketball activities.

01:12:24 He's not even at the--

01:12:26 He doesn't even look like-- and again,

01:12:27 who knows, in the back room when the cameras aren't on,

01:12:30 he might be doing some shit.

01:12:31 And they put him out there.

01:12:33 And it's all subterfuge.

01:12:34 And it's meant to be throw people off the scent.

01:12:36 Of course, that's always possible.

01:12:37 There's gamesmanship in the playoffs for sure.

01:12:39 But to our untrained eye, or just what

01:12:44 we're seeing when we're out there

01:12:46 and you guys are at practice, he looks like he's just kind

01:12:48 of still week one.

01:12:53 Jalen said he's staying engaged mentally,

01:12:56 but he's just not there physically right now.

01:12:58 Exactly, Dirk.

01:12:59 And that's the thing.

01:13:00 I don't want to say that.

01:13:01 I don't want to say it.

01:13:03 I tell you this.

01:13:05 I jump off this bandwagon really friggin' fast.

01:13:08 I might jump back on.

01:13:09 But one of those asshole games and I go flying off of it.

01:13:13 And it's not fair.

01:13:15 We just watched-- we watched Minnesota absolutely

01:13:18 choke away a 2-0 lead after winning two on the road

01:13:21 to Denver.

01:13:23 And then Anthony Edwards start complimenting the other players

01:13:26 and they looked cooked and they turned it around.

01:13:28 So yeah, a lot can happen in a series.

01:13:30 Wild.

01:13:31 A lot can happen in a series.

01:13:32 And then you watch Jokic and the Nuggets put up 70 in game six

01:13:35 and you're like, never again.

01:13:37 And then-- so yeah, a lot can happen.

01:13:40 A lot can happen.

01:13:41 I think we are obviously extremely hard on the Celtics

01:13:45 because we watch them all the time.

01:13:48 We watch them all the time.

01:13:50 So I'm not going to freak out, but it is frustrating

01:13:53 when you feel it coming.

01:13:54 You've allowed for three losses in this series.

01:13:56 So you're already prepared for like three horrible games.

01:13:59 I have.

01:14:01 We're bringing this guy on the stage to close the show.

01:14:03 He's not going to show his face.

01:14:05 Hi, Ahmed.

01:14:07 Ahmed.

01:14:08 Who we got?

01:14:08 Ahmed, you there?

01:14:10 Ahmed.

01:14:12 Oh, is he shy?

01:14:13 Come on, are you shy?

01:14:15 He hates his camera.

01:14:16 Ahmed, come on.

01:14:18 Can Ahmed come out and play?

01:14:20 Oh, wait, you guys put me on?

01:14:21 Yeah, we put you on.

01:14:24 He said he was passed out.

01:14:26 He put his headphones on like, what?

01:14:28 What's going on?

01:14:29 I'm going to be focused on something else.

01:14:32 Do we get to see you?

01:14:34 No, no, no.

01:14:35 All right, so we're going to sing happy birthday to you.

01:14:39 Happy birthday to you.

01:14:42 Happy birthday to you.

01:14:44 We're all different things up.

01:14:47 Jimmy, lead it.

01:14:48 Happy birthday, dear Ahmed.

01:14:54 The greatest producer in the world.

01:14:55 The greatest producer in the world.

01:14:57 Happy birthday to you.

01:15:03 There you go.

01:15:04 I like it.

01:15:04 This isn't fair, man.

01:15:05 You're the only one that can sing.

01:15:07 Also, we're all out of space, so we just

01:15:09 let Jimmy take it because he can sing.

01:15:11 Take it, boys.

01:15:11 I kind of like your singing.

01:15:13 That was a great one.

01:15:15 Ahmed, I'll see him at Hunter's on Friday, I think.

01:15:17 He's going to skip the game at Indy.

01:15:19 I love Hunter's.

01:15:22 I'll be there.

01:15:22 We're doing a game three preview party at Hunter's the night

01:15:27 before.

01:15:28 Don't announce that.

01:15:29 We'll have a bunch of people pulling up.

01:15:31 Hey, wear your hard hats.

01:15:34 Hard hat entry.

01:15:35 Hard hat, you get in for free if you show up with a hard hat.

01:15:37 No cover.

01:15:39 Yeah, no cover.

01:15:40 We'll give you a VIP table.

01:15:41 I thought Ahmed would pop on the screen, but no.

01:15:43 Oh, there was no chance he was doing that, dude.

01:15:46 We're going to celebrate soon.

01:15:48 He wants to be--

01:15:50 He doesn't want to get stopped in the streets like we do.

01:15:52 Exactly.

01:15:52 He wants to lay low, you know?

01:15:56 We tried.

01:15:56 Anyway--

01:15:57 Real G's move in silence like lasagna.

01:15:59 Yeah.

01:16:00 That's right.

01:16:01 [LAUGHTER]

01:16:04 Ahmed, a sincere happy birthday from everyone on the Guard

01:16:08 reporting at CLNS Media.

01:16:10 The man who makes this place run.

01:16:12 He can't even-- Ahmed's so underrated.

01:16:15 He might be overrated at this point.

01:16:17 Yeah, that's a good point.

01:16:18 You know, he's that important.

01:16:23 Yes, Ahmed is the producer.

01:16:26 Ahmed.

01:16:27 He keeps everything running.

01:16:28 There you go.

01:16:29 This takes me off screen now.

01:16:31 [LAUGHTER]

01:16:35 I kind of like you.

01:16:36 Yeah, you can go.

01:16:37 Fine.

01:16:37 I'm honest.

01:16:39 Back to your producer cave.

01:16:40 Back to the cave, right.

01:16:43 Ahmed's in my basement right now.

01:16:46 He's just churning out graphics and lower thirds.

01:16:49 Yeah, he's just got graphics and yeah.

01:16:52 Yeah, he got the cake though, right?

01:16:53 You sent him that cake.

01:16:54 That's good.

01:16:55 That was nice.

01:16:57 You know, it'd be nice if Joseph--

01:16:58 Joseph's watching.

01:16:59 It'd be nice if he threw Ahmed a little party,

01:17:01 maybe a little off-season party.

01:17:03 Maybe all of us, something like that, you know?

01:17:06 No pressure.

01:17:08 We call him Nick Grossback, is what we call him.

01:17:11 Yeah, Nick Grossback.

01:17:13 Loosen up the purse strings.

01:17:15 Jeez, Nick.

01:17:17 No, we just gave Ahmed a raise because he basically

01:17:20 is two people.

01:17:21 So we decided to pay him like one full person,

01:17:24 which was cool, yeah.

01:17:25 And I'm like half, so you could just take mine

01:17:27 and give it to him.

01:17:27 [LAUGHTER]

01:17:30 So yeah, one of the best comments in the tweet

01:17:32 was like, Ahmed's just one person?

01:17:34 Yeah, it really is impossible to think about it

01:17:38 because he's literally freaking everywhere

01:17:40 and he's covered everything for us.

01:17:41 So anyway--

01:17:42 Can't spell Ahmed without AI.

01:17:46 Sure.

01:17:46 You know what I'm saying?

01:17:47 Yeah, that was way worse than Nick Grossback.

01:17:49 That's awesome.

01:17:51 I like Nick Grossback, though.

01:17:53 Nick Grossback is here to stay, for sure.

01:17:56 Yes, he does a lot of the thumbnails.

01:17:58 Anyway, thank you guys for watching.

01:18:00 Thank you for hanging out with us.

01:18:02 We're back tomorrow at the Garden with game one.

01:18:07 So we're excited about that.

01:18:08 And again, just stay with us.

01:18:10 This is The Run.

01:18:10 It continues on.

01:18:12 Hopefully a little bit more juice this time.

01:18:14 But honestly, it doesn't matter.

01:18:16 If you're one of those Celtics fans out there right now

01:18:18 who's a sad girl because people aren't respecting you

01:18:21 or calling the path easy, it doesn't matter.

01:18:24 It doesn't matter.

01:18:25 You're just trying to get to the finals at this point.

01:18:28 And then that's what matters.

01:18:31 It's something to talk about.

01:18:32 The Celtics basically played a preseason

01:18:34 during the regular season this year.

01:18:36 They're ramping it up now.

01:18:37 This is going to be good.

01:18:39 Game one tomorrow.

01:18:40 We'll be here.

01:18:40 We hope you guys are as well.

01:18:42 Thank you, as always, for watching.

01:18:43 For Jimmy, Josue, Bobby, and of course,

01:18:47 Amit, hanging out, birthday boy.

01:18:49 Birthday boy.

01:18:51 Yep, we thank you guys.

01:18:52 And we'll see you tomorrow.

01:18:53 Wait, Amit's got an outro for us, I think.

01:18:56 No, he doesn't.

01:18:57 He said he was going to work on an outro.

01:18:59 He had a phenomenal game.

01:19:01 Phenomenal.

01:19:02 [LAUGHTER]

01:19:04 Porfrit's out.

01:19:05 I think it's an option.

01:19:06 [LAUGHTER]

01:19:09 That did not sound like a chair.

01:19:11 It was a freaking chair.

01:19:13 It does sound like a chair.

01:19:15 (upbeat music)

LIVE: Celtics vs Pacers Series Preview & Predictions | Garden Report

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