Boston celtics

WALTHAM -- Prior to Saturday's practice, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens was asked if all of his players will be available entering the Celtics' first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. "Yeah," Stevens quipped. "All 11." The assembled media chuckled, but Stevens' answer was a grim (from basketball standards) reminder of how short-handed even a healthy Celtics roster is at this point. Without Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Daniel Theis and (of course) Gordon Hayward, the Celtics have few stars, few ball-handlers and a lot of questions as the postseason tips off. One of the more intriguing questions will be the rotation. Stevens has spent the season playing a fairly egalitarian system, giving all of his bench and role players opportunities to develop in real minutes while spelling rest for his starters. Now, when the games mean a little more, Stevens was asked what changes with a smaller number of available players. "No change from the standpoint that you're probably … [Read more...] about Boston Celtics news: Brad Stevens plans to shorten rotation in postseason

WALTHAM -- Standing amidst an unusually large crowd of reporters on Friday after Boston Celtics' practice in Waltham, Brad Stevens was asked a relatively softball question: What are you most looking forward to about the playoffs, where the Celtics will face the Milwaukee Bucks? Often when Stevens is asked questions that pertain to him specifically, he finds a way to deflect to his players, or he sidesteps deftly. In this case, however, Stevens addressed it head-on, giving us a somewhat rare look at the motivation behind the coach who pours hours and hours into winning. "I love playing games with everything on the line," Stevens said. "I think that's a blast. I loved it in college, love it here. It's a great opportunity. I love to see different guys step up. I love to see narratives busted. There's a lot that I really love about the postseason." Don't let the calm demeanor and the platitudes about process over results fool you: Brad Stevens … [Read more...] about Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Celtics will guard Giannis Antetokounmpo with Al Horford & ‘everybody on our team’

WALTHAM -- The Boston Celtics' path to the playoffs has wound and twisted around itself all season, as injuries forced young players into major roles they likely didn't expect to inherit. According to Celtics guard Terry Rozier, it was the first injury that shaped the Celtics' mindset. "There's been a chip on the shoulder since (Gordon) Hayward went down," Rozier said. "You hear a lot of people doubting us from that point. We went on the 16-game winning streak and everybody hopped back on the bandwagon. That's just how it goes. We understand that, but we have to come out with a chip." The Celtics will need whatever they can get against a Milwaukee Bucks team that features Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round. Playing without Hayward and Kyrie Irving, both of whom are finished for the season, the Celtics have gone from a borderline championship contender to a team that might be an underdog in its own 2-vs-7 first-round series. "We're not worried about what anybody else says," … [Read more...] about Boston Celtics’ Terry Rozier: Celtics have had chip on shoulder since Gordon Hayward’s injury

WALTHAM -- In 2008, rookie Al Horford and the Atlanta Hawks had the new-look Boston Celtics -- a team with one of the best defenses in the league, and winners of 66 regular-season games -- up against the ropes in the first round. Kind of. The Hawks -- led by Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Horford -- had held serve in Atlanta for three games, edging the Celtics three times to force a Game 7 back in Boston. Celtics fans were concerned their brand-new dynasty might not make it out of the first round. Horford, however, had a feeling he knew how Game 7 was going to go. "I just remember coming in here, and it was like coming in here you knew you didn't have a chance to win the game," Horford said on Friday. "But we were just coming in there, focusing, and trying to do the best we could. The fans here, they just have that extra grit I feel like. Especially for the playoffs. That's what was so fun. And I've had a chance to be on both sides obviously as you guys know. And that's one of the things … [Read more...] about Al Horford on facing Boston Celtics’ 2008 team: ‘As hard as it was, it shaped my career in the NBA’

The Boston Celtics will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 tips off at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics have a tough matchup in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks star dropped 29 points and pulled down 11 rebounds the last time the teams met in the regular season, and the Celtics will need to find ways to slow down his bull rushes to the rim. Boston defends Antetokounmpo well, but there's only so much you can do against a legitimate MVP candidate. With Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward both done for the season, the Celtics will loo for contributions from their young players. Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Jayson Tatum will try to give Al Horford the help he needs to propel the Celtics past the seven-seed Bucks and into the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second consecutive year. Check out the video above for a breakdown of five Celtics who will be particularly important against the Bucks, and … [Read more...] about Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum & five things to watch