Watching the Bruins and Celtics these past couple of weeks has been like night and day. The Bruins have been tough, relentless, clutch, and generally fun to watch. The Celtics? Not so much.
After an incredible performance in Game 1, Kyrie has been abysmal in Games 2, 3, and 4 with defense that borders on “bad” and “not giving a shit.” After dropping 26 points in Game 1 when he shot 57% and was a +22, he’s gone 9/22%/-9, 26/36%/-7, and 23/31%/-6. So while he’s had three games with 20+ points, his shooting percentage has fallen off a cliff and he’s finished in the negatives in terms of +/- in 3 of the 4 games. Not great.
The Celtics have routinely packed it in this series too when the Bucks go on a run and the game starts to get away. It’s a pretty shitty attitude to just assume you’ll get it back the next game, especially when playing the No. 1 seed and the potential MVP in Giannis. Thats what this team has been all year long though. Kyrie punted on the regular season months ago legitimately saying talk to me when we get to the playoffs. Welp the playoffs are here bud, time to pick it up.
Now would be a good time for the #Celtics to mix in a make. #Bucks #CelticsTwitter #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nceZwrqESe
— The 300s (@The300sBoston) May 7, 2019
The C’s had one guy after the next playing hero ball and bricking shot after shot. From Kyrie (7/22, 1/7 from 3) to Terry Rozier (1/5, 0/3 from 3) to Al Horford going 3/8 from 3 to Jayson Tatum lacking awareness in key situations last night.
How Tatum didn’t expect that defender crashing the boards from behind is unbelievable. Need to dish that ball. #Celtics #CelticsTwitter #Bucks #NBAPlayoffs
— The 300s (@The300sBoston) May 7, 2019
Eric Bledsoe said NAH 🚫
(via @NBAonTNT)pic.twitter.com/vJHF1MmDBT
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 7, 2019
Not to mention Gordon Hayward scoring all of 2 points on 5 shots.
Well, at least they had that nice flight to Golden State that one time.
— Tucker Silva (@TuckSilva) May 7, 2019
To top it all off, Kyrie came out to the post game presser and basically gave everyone the double freedom rockets despite another poor performance from him.
Kyrie on going 19-for-62 over the last three games: “Who cares?”
— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) May 7, 2019
Irving shot 7-22. His opinion? "“I’m trying to do it all. For me, the 22 shots, I should have shot 30. I’m that great of a shooter."
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) May 7, 2019
MEANWHILE, the Bruins had all the history in the world against them heading into Game 6 with an opportunity to close out the series.
I originally had #Bruins in 6, but they are so bad at closing out series I fully expect an L tonight. Then I saw Ty’s tweet here. Goodness gracious. #NHLBruins https://t.co/TUpme5mZo4
— The 300s (@The300sBoston) May 6, 2019
They could have very easily fallen victim to recent history especially after having a huge goal taken off the board in the first period.
Me after that #Bruins goal got overturned:#NHLBruins #BlueJackets #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/JDxV4mrMIw
— The 300s (@The300sBoston) May 6, 2019
But unlike the Celtics, this Bruins team has shown huge balls and mental toughness all season long. They’re looking more and more each day like a team that could be raising a trophy soon.
Meanwhile this #Bruins team is showing huge balls and laying the wood on Columbus in an elimination game. No need to mess around with another Game 7. #NHLBruins #BlueJackets #NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/kg5tvUtBJn
— The 300s (@The300sBoston) May 7, 2019
The B’s have battled back all series while Sergei Bobrovsky has been playing out of his mind, they’ve gotten jobbed by the refs, and they nearly collapsed in Game 5 before scoring in the final 90 seconds to secure the W. Mental toughness like you read about. Speaking of mental toughness, shoutout to Tuukka Rask who closed his excellent series out with a 39 save shutout performance. Buffs wings on me, Tuukka.
Oh and the Bruins even have guys laying their bodies on the line in meaningless plays with the game already in hand.
The #Bruins have guys blocking shots up 3 with 40 seconds to go in an elimination game. Thats all you need to know about this team. #NHLBruins #StanleyCup #BlueJackets pic.twitter.com/LCZXqNnIQx
— The 300s (@The300sBoston) May 7, 2019
So while the Celtics continue to be the inconsistent, hot and cold, unreliable team they were all year long, the Bruins just keep getting better and look like a team that could make a legit run at a championship.
