Playoffs Live (S23)

Donkey

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
24,999
Day 160

FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Celtics 42 29 21 28 120
Jazz 22 21 25 27 95
Box Score
Leaders Celtics Jazz
Points David Melody 31 Maurice Williams 22
Rebounds Brad Miller 14 Maurice Williams 14
Assists David Melody 12 Joey Kizel 6



Fast Break Basketball | Page created: February 07, 2025
 

Donkey

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
24,999
Game 3 Summary: Celtics 120, Jazz 95
The Boston Celtics delivered a dominant performance in Game 3, crushing the Utah Jazz on their home court to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Fueled by David Melody’s brilliance, the Celtics overwhelmed the Jazz from the opening tip and never looked back.

Key Takeaways:
  1. Boston Celtics:
    • David Melody continued his Finals MVP-caliber play with 31 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. His scoring and playmaking set the tone early and kept the Jazz off balance.
    • Brad Miller added 25 points and 14 rebounds, asserting his dominance in the paint on both ends of the floor.
    • Larry Kenon contributed a strong two-way game with 21 points and 9 rebounds, showcasing his versatility.
    • The Celtics shot an efficient 50% from the field and a scorching 57.1% from three-point range, making the most of their offensive opportunities.
    • Boston’s defense forced 14 turnovers and held the Jazz to just 43.2% shooting, including a dismal 20% from beyond the arc.
  2. Utah Jazz:
    • Maurice Williams led the Jazz with 22 points and 14 rebounds but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 9-for-23 from the field.
    • Joey Kizel and Rimantas Kaukenas combined for 31 points, but their inconsistency (13-for-31 shooting) hurt the Jazz’s chances of mounting a comeback.
    • Utah's three-point shooting (3-for-15) and free-throw percentage (66.7%) were major liabilities in a game where they needed to capitalize on every opportunity.
    • Despite out-rebounding the Celtics 49-43, the Jazz couldn’t convert second-chance opportunities into points and failed to match Boston’s offensive firepower.
Statistical Highlights:
  • Shooting Efficiency: Boston’s 50% field goal percentage and 57.1% from three dwarfed Utah’s 43.2% and 20%, respectively.
  • Turnovers: The Celtics took care of the ball with just 10 turnovers, compared to 14 for the Jazz, which led to several transition opportunities for Boston.
  • Free Throws: Boston’s 84.6% accuracy from the line was another area where they outclassed Utah, who shot only 66.7%.
Outlook:
The Celtics are now one win away from clinching the NBA title, with Game 4 set to take place in Utah. The Jazz are facing an uphill battle, needing to win four straight games to avoid elimination. For Utah to have a chance, they must find a way to slow down David Melody and Brad Miller while improving their shooting efficiency and limiting turnovers. Boston, on the other hand, looks poised to close out the series and secure their championship.
 

Just Swaggy

Well-known member
Messages
1,687
I’m being 100% real I thought at the beginning of this was a meme, but i’m glad we got this far, and to see Larry do what he is doing. Being over HC was crazy, but we got better.
 

Donkey

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
24,999


2045-46 NBA Champion
Boston Celtics


Playoff MVP
Larry Kenon


FINAL
1 2 3 4 T
Celtics 33 35 36 21 125
Jazz 26 37 29 21 113
Box Score
Leaders Celtics Jazz
Points David Melody 35 Rimantas Kaukenas 24
Rebounds Zeljko Rebraca 13 JaJa Richards 14
Assists David Melody 13 Tremont Waters 7
 

Donkey

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
24,999
Game 4 Summary: Celtics 125, Jazz 113
The Boston Celtics capped off their Finals dominance with a 125-113 victory over the Utah Jazz, completing the sweep and securing the NBA championship. While David Melody's 35-point explosion earned him Player of the Game honors, it was Larry Kenon who claimed the Finals MVP award for his consistent two-way excellence throughout the series.

Key Takeaways:
  1. Boston Celtics:
    • David Melody delivered another masterclass performance, posting 35 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds. His combination of scoring and playmaking dismantled the Jazz defense.
    • Brad Miller added 30 points and 13 rebounds, providing the Celtics with dominant inside scoring and crucial second-chance opportunities.
    • Purvis Short quietly contributed an efficient 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting, thriving as a secondary scorer.
    • Boston dominated on the boards with 63 rebounds, outworking the Jazz in the paint.
    • Though the team shot just 68.8% from the free-throw line, their 46.2% shooting from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc proved too much for Utah to handle.
  2. Utah Jazz:
    • Rimantas Kaukenas led the Jazz with 24 points, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome Boston’s firepower.
    • Maurice Williams and Josh Hawkinson combined for 36 points and 17 rebounds but lacked the efficiency needed to keep pace with Boston.
    • JaJa Richards recorded 14 points and 14 rebounds, showing grit on the boards, but his lack of outside scoring limited the Jazz’s versatility.
    • Utah struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 22.7% (5-for-22), which crippled their ability to close the gap.
Statistical Highlights:
  • Rebounding Dominance: Boston’s 63 rebounds (20 offensive) gave them numerous second-chance points, while Utah managed 59 rebounds but failed to convert them into significant scoring opportunities.
  • Three-Point Disparity: The Celtics shot 38.5% from deep, compared to the Jazz’s poor 22.7%, providing a critical edge in spacing and scoring efficiency.
  • Team Play: Boston’s 35 assists highlighted their excellent ball movement, compared to Utah’s 24.
Finals MVP: Larry Kenon
Though Melody and Miller delivered spectacular individual games, Larry Kenon's consistent contributions on both ends of the floor earned him Finals MVP honors. Kenon averaged 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and played lockdown defense throughout the series, giving Boston the edge they needed in critical moments. His ability to adapt to Utah’s physicality and contribute in various ways epitomized Boston’s team-oriented approach.

Outlook:
The Celtics' championship win solidifies their place as the league’s elite, thanks to a deep, balanced roster led by a Finals MVP-caliber performance from Larry Kenon and the superstar efforts of David Melody and Brad Miller. The Jazz, though swept, showed glimpses of potential and will look to regroup and return stronger next season.
 
Top