Locked On Celtics - Daily Podcast On ...

Locked On Celtics is a daily Boston Celtics podcast by Boston Sports Journal beat writer John Karalis. It's an inside look at the C's from a former professional basketball player who is at practices & games. Hear from players, call in to the voicemail line, and hear from some great guest hosts. It's the #1 podcast choice for Celtics fans. Part of the Locked On Podcast network.

Sports
Basketball
51
Mailbag: Boston Celtics/LA Lakers, Jayson Tatum...
We opened up the mailbag for the first time in a bit to get questions about making Celtics/Lakers a regular Christmas thing, Jayson Tatum growing and trusting others, Jrue Holiday playing in the dunker spot, Neemias Queta's future in Boston, and Payton Pritchard. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal has the answers on all those topics, as well as Celtics challenges, clutch play, and who to avoid in a bar fight.
39 min
52
Boston Celtics close strong, Kristaps Porzingis...
The Celtics finished off a successful road trip with a strong second half and a win over LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the LA Lakers. Kristaps Porzingis led the way, Jayson Tatum did other things while not shooting well, and they got a balanced attack, especially in a great fourth quarter close where everyone contributed. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal talks about all that, why the loss to the Warriors was good, and why these guys still aren't even close to their full potential.
33 min
53
Boston Celtics dominate LA Clippers behind Jays...
The Boston Celtics got a casual 30 points from Jayson Tatum, a now typical great overall game from Jaylen Brown, and a really hot start from Jrue Holiday on their way to a monster blowout of the Clippers, who were missing Kawhi Leonard. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal talks about Boston's hot shooting, great defense and rebounding, and big contribution on the boards from Neemias Queta. Also, why this is exactly where the Celtics should be as they follow the script for a contending team.
32 min
54
Early road trip thoughts, and can Derrick White...
The Celtics lost a tough one and won an impressive one. Now that there's a little separation, how do we feel about the road trip so far? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss, including a huge reason why calling timeout at the end of the Warriors game would have been a bad idea. Also, an early look at whether Derrick White or Kristaps Porzingis have a chance at making the All-Star game.
38 min
55
Boston Celtics bounce back! Kristaps Porzingis,...
The Celtics got 20 or more from five different guys, led by Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, on their way to a very nice bounceback win over the Sacramento Kings. This was an important win after the previous night's loss, and it was especially good for Kristaps Porzingis, who helped fuel another nice third quarter. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into all that, and why Joe Mazzulla would probably like to frame this game.
28 min
56
Boston Celtics execution falls apart in fourth,...
The Celtics had built a 17 point lead with Steph Curry in foul trouble, but they couldn't capitalize on it and left themselves open for a special fourth quarter performance that sent the game into overtime. The Celtics couldn't hit a thing down the stretch, and end up losing a tough one to the Warriors. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal talks about all that, why the third quarter was the turning point, why this isn't a loss to get worked up about, and why it being similar to other losses doesn't make it the same.
35 min
57
Jaylen Brown, trusting teammates, and the Bosto...
Jaylen Brown has turned a corner, and he's playing a style of basketball now that is pushing the Celtics to separate themselves from the rest of the competition. He's eliminating a lot of the things that have gotten him in trouble before, and it's working wonders for everyone. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss Brown's progression this season, and other things from this homestand that make Boston so good.
37 min
58
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics defense shine: A c...
The Celtics started slow again, but Jaylen Brown was the hero, stepping up in the second and fourth quarters and continuing his streak of great play. On top of that, the Celtics defense, anchored by Al Horford, was amazing. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal is joined by Phillip Rossman Reich of Locked On Magic to discuss the big win over a team that has given the Celtics fits.
42 min
59
Boston Celtics passing destroys Orlando Magic
The Boston Celtics put on a clinic against the Magic, dishing out 31 assists and wearing Orlando down with their speed. Without Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, Boston ran past the Magic to stay perfect at home. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into why this was the most impressive win of the season for Boston, including how Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown sparked some huge plays.
20 min
60
Boston Celtics stay perfect at home, Jayson Tat...
The Celtics got another tough win over a tough Cavs team thanks to a great team effort overall. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum had big stretches but it was a total team win. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses that, why this was a perfectly scripted win, and why whatever you think "Mazzulla Ball" is is wrong.
34 min
61
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown as unique leaders/ge...
Joe Mazzulla had a great quote about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown after their win over Cleveland, highlighting how their jobs as the best players are different on a stacked team versus a team with a bunch of role players. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss that, as well as how the Celtics can generate more corner 3-pointers.
35 min
62
Boston Celtics start slow, finish strong, get t...
Jaylen Brown was the only Celtic hitting anything in an 18-4 opening run by the Cavs, but Boston recovered to go into the second down 10. The Celtics put up a 39-point second quarter, briefly taking the lead, thanks in part to Derrick White catching fire from deep and Jayson Tatum exploding for 13. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis found grooves in the third, giving Boston a lead despite Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combining for 23. A balanced attack in the fourth, and some better defense, closed out the game. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal talks about the tough win, the historic free throw shooting, and the playoff-like plays to close out the game.
33 min
63
Boston Celtics face big week against Cleveland ...
The Celtics have four more games to play at home before their big western conference trip, two against Cleveland, and two against Orlando. It's a weird quirk in the schedule that ends up becoming a big early test for the Celtics. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss the magnitude of these two games, what they mean for the Celtics, realistic expectations, and more.
35 min
64
Interesting Boston Celtics stats: Derrick White...
We're about a quarter of the way through the season, so it's time to look at some interesting Celtics stats, including how Derrick White is the Celtics absolutely most impactful player. His on/off numbers are out of this world, confirming a lot of what we're seeing on the floor. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into that, how Jaylen Brown's on/off numbers are the opposite of that, Jayson Tatum's defensive struggles, and how the Celtics aren't forcing any turnovers.
32 min
65
Derrick White drops 30, Jaylen Brown ejected, B...
The Celtics didn't play much defense early, but they got by with their offense, which was led by Derrick White and his 30 points. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday also made big contributions, showing an important bounce-back quality that good teams show. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into all that, the total team effort, and Jaylen Brown's weak ejection.
25 min
66
Mailbag: Star mistakes, Jayson Tatum complainin...
With a few days off, this felt like a great time to open the mailbag. Today, we're getting into handling mistakes by the superstars, their ability to win it all, and Jayson Tatum's habit of complaining to officials. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into that, the best defensive backcourt in the NBA, JD Davison, and Sam Hauser's potential. Plus, questions about criticizing players as a member of the media, breakthrough questions, and John's love for Kevin McHale.
35 min
67
Kristaps Porzingis set to return, Boston Celtic...
Kristaps Porzingis has missed four games with a strained calf, but it looks like he's about to return. He went through some 5-on-5 scrimmaging in practice on Wednesday and felt good. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss his impeding return, the incredible level of importance to Boston, Joe Mazzulla's use of the bench to mitigate another absence, and the Shams Charania report that he expects Boston to be active on the trade market.
37 min
68
A step back for Jayson Tatum? Concerns over Jru...
Jayson Tatum has put up some good numbers, but he's been a net negative on the floor over his last nine games. What's going on there? Plus, Jrue Holiday seems to be struggling a bit, despite a couple of recent nice shooting games. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss all that, and the very confusing third quarter team struggles.
36 min
69
Boston Celtics eliminated from In-Season Tourna...
The In-Season Tournament atmosphere was rocking in Indiana, creating a real playoff environment. The Celtics looked good enough early on, but Tyrese Haliburton had a historic triple-double and the Pacers role players were able to do something the Celtics role players weren't. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal discusses what went wrong, how the role players failed the stars, and why a lot of this stuff feels familiar to fans.
35 min
70
Boston Celtics-Indiana Pacers In-Season Tournam...
The Celtics beat the tar out of the Pacers the first time around when Indiana didn't have Tyrese Haliburton. He is probably playing Monday night, and if he does, it'll be a big moment for him. Can he be the difference against Boston in this first ever In-Season Tournament quarterfinal game? Is the Pacers defense ready to handle Boston's big wings? Can the Celtics defend the Pacers with their offense by forcing the big guns to spend a lot of energy defending? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal is joined by Tony East of Locked On Pacers for a big crossover preview of the big game Monday night.
37 min
71
Jayson Tatum ejected, Boston Celtics struggle, ...
The Celtics played down to a Sixers teams decimated by injuries and illnesses and it nearly cost them. Jayson Tatum was ejected for talking too much to the refs, and John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal says both sides are to blame. That, plus, the human nature aspect of this game that's impossible to avoid, the heroics of Al Horford and Payton Pritchard, and more.
23 min
72
MAILBAG: In-Season Tournament, Boston Celtics b...
It's not Monday, but it was an off day so we opened up the mailbag to get some questions about the In-Season Tournament's impact on Boston and the league (and what happens to those courts), the Celtics' bad third quarters, and getting back to winning at home. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal answers those questions, and then gets into Oshae Brissett's role on the team, a timeline where Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward have normal times in Boston, the worst NBA franchise of all time, and when the NBA might see every team win a championship.
35 min
73
Lessons learned from Boston Celtics running up ...
The In-Season Tournament forced the Celtics to run up the score as much as they could against the Bulls, which led to some interesting thing happening on the floor that they should probably carry forward with them. From cutting more, to running through Al Horford, to just keeping an attacking mentality, John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss all the ways a very weird game might actually teach some good lessons.
38 min
74
Boston Celtics blow out Chicago Bulls, advance ...
The Celtics played it cool in the lead up to this in-season tournament game, but in the end, they were aware of how badly the needed to beat the Bulls and they went for it. The result was a 27 point win and, with the Brooklyn win, a berth in the IST knockout round. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into the great basketball stuff we saw, including playing with a big lead, and then gets into the weirdness the tournament forced Boston into. Regardless of how you feel about it, this is what the NBA wanted.
35 min
75
Jaylen Brown shows his full basketball prowess ...
After seeming to struggle a bit with where he fit on a newly revamped Celtics team, Jaylen Brown has shown off his full basketball prowess in recent games. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm open with some leftover thoughts from the Hawks game before diving into Jaylen's recent excellence and how he's been playing exactly how the Celtics need him to play.
35 min