Celtics Beat Podcast Episode 613 Summary
Episode Title: "The Celtics Have a Donovan Mitchell Problem w/ Dan Greenberg"
Date: March 1, 2025
Host: Adam Kaufman (AK)
Guests: Dan Greenberg (Greenie, Barstool Sports), Evan Valenti
Overview of Episode’s Main Theme
This episode focuses on the recent Celtics vs. Cavaliers matchup and the bigger picture implications for the Boston Celtics as playoffs approach, particularly spotlighting the persistent challenge that Donovan Mitchell poses for Boston. Adam, Dan and Evan break down the late-game Celtics collapses, the “Donovan Mitchell Problem,” and evaluate both Cleveland’s threat in the East and Boston’s margin for error against elite competition.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Reactions to the Recent Celtics-Cavaliers Game
[10:37 - 19:34]
- Celtics blow a massive early lead (25-3) to the Cavs, lose again after also dropping a game to the red-hot Detroit Pistons.
- Emphasis that blowing early leads can happen in today’s NBA due to rampant scoring runs, but giving up double-digit leads late in the third quarter and in clutch time is far more concerning.
- Both hosts agree the loss is more a testament to the Cavaliers’ legitimacy than an indictment of Boston’s title goals.
“To me, like, the NBA is a game of runs... the real collapse... comes when you're up like 17 points or whatever it was in the third quarter. That's the much larger issue.”
— Adam Kaufman [13:29]
2. Cleveland’s Legitimacy and Boston’s Margins
[14:12 - 16:56]
- Panel dismisses the “Cavs are fake” narratives, instead recognizing Cleveland’s 2024 season as a replica of Boston’s previous dominance—with elite net rating and sustained play.
- A potential playoff series is framed as a chess match hinging less on X’s and O’s, more on which team can better cover its weaknesses for four out of seven games.
“They're replicating the 2023, 2024 Celtic season, right?... To me, that's just a certain level of cope that like you just don't want to give another team credit for sustained excellence.”
— Dan Greenberg [15:14]
3. Donovan Mitchell: Celtics' Kryptonite
[16:56 - 21:09]
- A major recurring theme: Donovan Mitchell’s unstoppable performances against the Celtics.
- Discussion of Mitchell’s scoring numbers (never under 30 in ten games; highest scoring average ever vs. Boston—recently surpassing Michael Jordan).
- Debate on whether there is any current player besides Jokic or Steph that scares Boston fans as much as Mitchell does in a playoff series.
“Mitchell made all of his clutch baskets. You had a couple misses at the rim... He is the one type of player that he knows how to elevate his game for the moment. And I think... the only other guard I can think of that does that is like Steph Curry.”
— Evan Valenti [20:10]
“Is Donovan Mitchell the scariest player of anybody in the league that Boston can play in the playoffs?”
— Dan Greenberg [19:34]
4. Defensive Schemes & Game-planning for Mitchell
[21:09 - 23:43]
- Panel wonders how—if at all—the Celtics can scheme for Mitchell. The consensus is that Boston lacks anyone quick enough to stay with him and that schemes may not matter due to Cleveland’s ability to hunt matchups.
- Suggestion to take the "LeBron approach": let Mitchell get his 30+ and try to cut off everyone else’s production.
“There really is no, like, what can we do to take this away? I think you just have to go with the old LeBron approach... we're going to shut off the water, you know, with everybody else.”
— Evan Valenti [22:48]
5. The Bigs: Mobley & Allen vs. Boston's Frontcourt
[26:33 - 31:54]
- AK questions whether Mobley/Allen represent a true matchup concern, citing only sporadic big games against Boston.
- Evan: while Mobley’s box score can be unimpressive, his fourth quarter offensive rebounding (notably four straight in the clutch) helped shift the game; calls him the Cavs’ “Derrick White X factor”.
- Dan: Celtics allow Cleveland shooters to get into rhythm, particularly if Boston doesn’t finish defensive possessions—offensive rebounding and perimeter breakdowns are killers against elite teams.
6. Margins, Turnovers, and Playoff Lessons
[31:54 - 34:03]
- The three “pillars of death” in Celtics playoff losses: (1) poor late-game offensive rebounding, (2) turnovers leading to points, (3) failure to win the shot margin.
- Margins will decide games between elite teams; the Cavs matched Boston’s three-point shooting (17-39 apiece), meaning rebounds and turnovers decided the outcome.
“...points off turnovers, if this team has 14, 15 turnovers a game and they're allowing easy transition baskets... those are the things that kill your margin for error.”
— Evan Valenti [33:00]
7. Trust in Boston’s Top Level—But with a Caveat
[34:03 - 37:08]
- The hosts repeat the truism: “If healthy, no one beats Boston four out of seven.” But Cleveland is now legitimately in the conversation for teams that might break that maxim, especially if Boston slips on the details.
“...full strength, nobody's going to beat them four out of seven times. But part of that equation is the assumption that at full strength they're not going to play like shit in the margins...”
— Evan Valenti [35:26]
8. Looking Ahead: Denver & the Test of Adversity
[37:36 - 43:09]
- Celtics face Denver next, making for possibly their first three-game losing streak since March 2023—an “acid test” for the group.
- Discussion of MVP race: Jokic vs. SGA, with Dan and Evan arguing Jokic is having an all-time season but may lose to narrative factors.
9. Nuggets Preview: Boston’s Need for Focus
[43:34 - 47:10]
- Jokic is “unstoppable”—Greenie urges Boston to focus on beating Denver’s non-Jokic minutes, as that’s the only path to victory against such a unique star.
- Boston hasn’t shot well from deep against Denver previously; if that continues, beating the Nuggets will mean excelling on the margins and forcing a math advantage via threes.
“...the Nuggets, you can't screw around with. You can't have these four or five minute offensive lulls because Joker is just too automatic”
— Evan Valenti [44:35]
10. Closing Thoughts & Celtics’ Historic Consistency
[47:10 - 50:22]
- The Celtics haven't lost three straight since March 2023; maintaining this streak is a testament to their consistency and professionalism even amid adversity.
- The upcoming homestand—Denver, Blazers, Sixers, Lakers, Jazz, Thunder—is viewed as a tough stretch that will further reveal the true ceiling of this Boston roster.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Celtics Twitter:
“You are an emotional tweeter. Much like there’s some people out there [who] eat their feelings... you are an emotional tweeter.”
— Adam Kaufman (to Dan Greenberg) [09:49] -
On the Cavaliers’ Season:
“They're replicating the 2023-2024 Celtic season, right? … they are a worthy opponent and a worthy challenger.”
— Dan Greenberg [15:14] -
On Donovan Mitchell’s dominance:
“He has the highest scoring average against the Celtics in history. … It's literally every single time he’s played the Celtics, he's had at least 30, which is crazy.”
— Evan Valenti [19:14] -
On Boston’s Margin for Error:
“If this team has 14, 15 turnovers a game and they're allowing easy transition baskets... those are the things that kill your margin for error.”
— Evan Valenti [33:00] -
On what will swing a potential Boston-Cleveland playoff series:
“When you have two good teams battling like that, it's one or two possessions that can swing the whole thing.”
— Dan Greenberg [34:00]
Important Segment Timestamps
-
[10:37] – Celtics-Cavs game reflection and emotional rollercoaster
-
[14:12] – Are the Cavs legit? The margins of NBA wins
-
[16:56] – The “Donovan Mitchell Problem”
-
[19:34] – Who scares Celtics fans most in a matchup? Steph, Giannis, Mitchell?
-
[22:48] – Defensive strategies against Mitchell: the LeBron approach
-
[26:33] – Celtics-Cavs: Bigs, bench, and rebounding issues
-
[31:54] – Turnovers & offensive rebounds: the pillars of death
-
[34:03] – Can anyone beat a healthy Boston four times? Should we believe in Cleveland?
-
[37:36] – Upcoming test: Denver Nuggets preview, MVP race debate
-
[43:34] – How to beat Denver: non-Jokic minutes & three-point math
-
[47:10] – Celtics' long stretch without three-game losing streak and thoughts on the difficult homestand ahead
Episode Tone & Style
The tone is candid, passionate, and rooted in rabid Celtics fanhood, peppered with self-deprecating humor about Twitter addiction and classic Boston sports skepticism. The crew is analytical yet keeps the banter light, balancing sharp breakdowns with relatable, emotional responses to a team that inspires both hope and agony in equal measure.
Summary for the Uninitiated
This episode provides an in-depth, honest look at the current state of the Boston Celtics as of March 2025—especially their battles with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the recurring nemesis that is Donovan Mitchell. If you want to understand where Boston stands heading into the final playoff push, what keeps fans and analysts up at night, and the kinds of margins that separate contenders from also-rans, this discussion is essential listening. The trio also sets the stage for the challenging schedule ahead, engaging in MVP speculation and providing a reality check on what it means to be an elite NBA team fighting for a title in a league where no lead is safe and every possession counts.