Locked On Celtics - Daily Podcast On The Boston Celtics Locked On Podcast Network

With so much time before the NBA Finals, we decided to open up the mailbag to answer a few of your questions. Those include the team's preferences in the Western Conference Finals, Boston defense vs. Dallas' offense, the NBA rooting against Boston, limiting Dallas' corner 3-pointers, Sam Hauser's 3-point shooting, Kristaps Porzingis returning, even if he's not 100%, and two-way players getting rings. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into all of that and then addresses the video of a media pick up game in Indianapolis.

With so much time (and as of the recording, no opponent yet), we're still celebrating the Celtics run to the Finals and the genuine joy of Jaylen Brown's MVP moment. Then, John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm dispel a myth about the Celtics effort and why things will be very different in the Finals no matter who they face.

The Celtics are headed to the NBA Finals after sweeping the Indiana Pacers! Game 4 wasn't easy and the Celtics didn't play their best, but they once again came through when it mattered most. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into the big win, Jaylen Brown winning Conference Finals MVP, and facing the Mavericks (presumably). Also, a few thoughts on the passing of Bill Walton.

It doesn't matter how the Celtics are going, they're still getting disrespected on their way to another easy series win. What happened in Game 3 was real growth, according to John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm. They're buying into Joe Mazzulla and it shows. Rick Carlisle seemed especially salty after the loss, and he's trying to pull every string he can to motivate his team. Will the Pacers pull off a win, or will Boston finish this off in four?

The Celtics came out strong but the Indiana Pacers matched them shot for shot early on and then took off in the second quarter, hitting an ungodly amount of shots. They built up an 18 point lead but the Celtics kept chipping away and, after Joe Mazzulla refocused them in the third, they started to defend better and close the lead. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into all that, the big closing kick that won Boston the game, Jrue Holiday's steal, Jayson Tatum's pass, and so much more.

Jaylen Brown went off for 40 points, tying a career-high, as the Celtics won Game 2 at home and took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses that, Jayson Tatum playing the 5 as Oshae Brissett got some surprise, minutes, Tyrese Haliburton's injury, and the little things that showed better discipline for the Celtics in Game 2.