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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 18, 2008 17:26:50 GMT -5
 at 
BostonCeltics (41-9) at Denver Nuggets (32-20)
Tuesday, February 19
9:00 PM ET
Game #51, Road Game #24
TV: NBA LP ch 755, Altitude HD, CSN HD
Radio: Sirius 123, WEEI
Pepsi Center   Probable Starters      PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.4 l APG 4.8 l SPG 1.8 SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.5 | APG 3.0 | 3P% .375 SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.6 | RPG 5.6| APG 4.8 PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 19.2 | RPG 9.9 | BPG 1.4 C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.3 | RPG 5.6 | BPG 1.3 Off the Bench       T Allen/ House/ Pollard/ Posey/Powe/Davis Injuries:Pollard, ankle, probable KG, ab strain, probable Perk, shoulder, probable Big Baby, knee bruise, probable   ProbableStarters      PG: Anthony Carter PPG 8.0 l APG 6.1 l SPG 1.6 SG: Allen Iverson PPG 26.5 | APG 7.3 | 3P% .337 SF: Carmelo Anthony PPG 26.2 | RPG 7.3 | APG 3.3 PF: Kenyon Martin PPG 11.3 | RPG 6.5 | BPG 1.4 C: Marcus Camby PPG 9.2 | RPG 14.3 | BPG 3.9 Off the Bench      Kleiza/Najera/Smith/Diawara/Von Wafer InjuriesChucky Atkins,surgery, out Steven Hunter, knee, questionable Nene, tumor, out Key matchupsEvery matchup in the starting lineup is going to be key in this game. There is a tough matchup for the Celtics at every position.  vs  Perk vs Camby is going to be a battle. Both are strong inside players and both take pride in their interior defense. Hopefully Perk will be healthy enough to battle with Camby because he is the only player big enough and strong enough to keep him away from the boards.  vs  Pierce will have his hands full with Carmelo. Melo is an offensive threat, but also can rebound and Pierce will need to concentrate on defense to try to contain him. We will probably see Posey on Melo at times as well.  vs  KG vs KMart should be a good matchup with some defensive battles inside as well. If he is healthy enough to play, KG may show some rust, but he also will be chomping at the bit to play and may be like one of those little cars that you pull back and let go. Honorable MentionRondo vs Carter Rondo will be going up against a veteran point guard and will need to play smart and not let Carter get the best of him because of his experience. Ray Allen vs Allen Iverson. Iverson is a definite offensive threat. We have seen some good defense from Ray already this season and but he will need help to try to contain Iverson. Hopefully Ray will continue his hot shooting from the All Star game and make Iverson work on the defensive end as well. Keys to the Game Don't Forget What Works The Celtics have been successful because of their tough in your face defense. They have to come out strong on the defensive end and make the Nuggets work for every basket. Also when they move the ball, they find the open man and the offense flows. When they try to do too much individually, the ball stops moving and so does the offense. Don't Lose Composure The Celtics can't afford to lose their composure. In spite of being tied for 25th in points allowed, the Nuggets are a decent defensive team in that they lead the league in steals (9.31), are 2nd in blocks (7.04) and are 6th in field goal percentage allowed. The Celtics have tended to lose composure when teams play defense against them and they can't afford that against this team. Game Notes: As I write this, there is no definitive word as to whether Perk or KG will be playing. Hopefully both will be well enough to play as this is one team that we need to field a big lineup against. The Nuggets are tough at home with a 21-6 home record. They are 15-6 against Eastern Conference teams. The Celtics, of course, are 16-0 against the West and it would be nice to keep that going. The Nuggets are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are coming off a loss to the Magic. The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 in spite of playing without KG and Perk and have won 5 in a row. |
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Post by runrondo on Feb 18, 2008 18:15:50 GMT -5
Yeah, we're gonna need KG and Perk for this game...Though it wouldn't be the first time the C's have surprised me...
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 18, 2008 21:48:08 GMT -5
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Post by CelticsLoyalist on Feb 19, 2008 4:22:13 GMT -5
Yeah, we're gonna need KG and Perk for this game...Though it wouldn't be the first time the C's have surprised me... Yeah, Dallas and San An, without KG, and the Spurs game without even Perk, surprised me. It doesnt mean I still thought it wasnt possible, but I just expected to lose due to our being shorthanded. But at the same time, I trusted an expected people like Powe and Baby to show what they are made. Especially Powe. I dont know about you all, but I sorta sensed he was itching to get the PT he was getting last year because of injuries, to prove he still has a role on this team. Rondo being more aggressive, Baby proving what he did vs the Pistons was no fluke, Paul stepping into familiar territory taking over games, and even Ray getting 15-20 per, have been sufficient enough to take teams that are proven Playoff elites, to a win. Albeit wins that were well under our current point differential. Whats been so important tho, is that the whole team has had a shot in the spotlight. Proving out actual depth. I know maybe the 5 is not deep, which has been exposed by inuries, but the point is solid enuff, with room for improvement, of course. We are truly more than the Big 3, but still it just may be more than enuff come finals! Dare to dream Green17! |
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Post by The Eye of the Q is upon you! on Feb 19, 2008 12:41:37 GMT -5
The bench will be important tonight due to the C's playing at a higher altitude. Denver is an energetic team so we have to match their intensity level and fight off that Anti-Boston crowd in Denver. This is a tough stop but historically, the Celtics have played well here. It is too bad that my cable company blocks out all Denver games even though I have paid for LP so I probably have to rely on the channel that shows all the games at once or listen to Grande and Max on WRKO.com.
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Post by runrondo on Feb 19, 2008 21:23:38 GMT -5
Looks like we're playing like we're scared of the Nuggets when it should be the other way around...
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 21:30:39 GMT -5
Picking up with Nuggets up 20-10. Celtics with the ball. 5:18 left in the first. Celtics with a 24 second violation. Powe pokes the ball away from Iverson. Rondo hits a 3 as it bounces straight up off the rim and back in. Melo takes it to the hoop and beats Pierce for a layup. RA with a pass inside to Powe who has it blocked by Camby and Powe is called for a foul trying to recover the ball. Martin at the lline hits the first and misses the second. PP chases down the rebound and comes up with it. Kleiza called for a foul on PP. Celtics inbound on the side. RA hits a 3 over the defender. Rondo called for a foul as he goes for a steal. Iverson hits both FTs. PP drives into the lane and passes inside to Powe who hits up and under. Powe called for his second foul. Melo hits both FTs. RA stops and pops and hits a 3. Melo misses in the lane. Powe tips the rebound to Pierce. Posey misses and Nuggets come away with the rebound. Iverson is fouled. Time out with 2:11 left in the first. Nuggets up 27-21
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 21:37:56 GMT -5
Iverson hits both FTs. RA drives baseline and his bounce pass is kicked and Celtics inbound on the side with 14 on the SC. Tony gets a pass under the basket and lays it in. He was bumped but no foul called. Kleiza lays it in. Rondo drives to the basket and has his shot blocked but Powe comes up with it and lays it in. Rondo called for a foul and Iverson goes back to the line. House comes in for Rondo. RA hits a baseline jumper on a catch and shoot from House. Iverson hits a jumper. RA hits a jumper off the catch. Smith hits in the lane. RA drives down the lane and lays it in. Nuggets inbound and Camby shoots a 3/4 court shot that falls way short. Score at the end of 1 is Nuggets 36 and Celtics 31
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 21:45:19 GMT -5
I hate having the other team's announcers. Celtics inbound to start the second. RA misses a jumper. Kleiza hits a 3. RA misses from the corner, Powe comes in from nowhere and pulls down the rebound in the midst of several white jerseys and puts it in. Smith hits a 3 from the corner. Posey hits a 3. Nuggets miss and Celtics rebound. Posey misses. Camby rebounds and throws a long outlet pass up court. RA breaks up a pass. Nuggets inbound with 12 on the SC. Tony called for a foul. Baby comes in for Powe. camby misses both FTs. Celtics rebound. PP drives to the hoop and lays it in and is fouled but no call. Smith misses and PP grabs the rebound. Camby called for a kicked ball. Time out with 8:52 left in the half. Nuggets up 42-38.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 21:53:42 GMT -5
House hits a jumper. Tony blocks Smith's jumper. Smith steals it back. Martin hits a jumper. House with a back door cut and lays it in. Melo misses and rebound goes over the backboard to the Celtics. House inside to Davis who misses a layup. Nuggs rebound. Carter misses and Tony rebounds. PP spins to the hoop and lays it in to tie the game at 44. Melo called for an offensive foul as Pierce takes the charge. PP drives to the hoop and Najera blocks his layup from behind. Celtics inbound with 13 on the SC. House misses and Nuggets rebound. Melo misses over Tony and Baby rebounds. Baby gets the ball in the paint and spins to the hoop and is fouled. He hits both FTs to give the Celtics their first lead at 46-44. Baby comes down hard on Martin and is called for a foul. Time out with 5:52 left in the half and Celtics up 46-44
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 22:02:02 GMT -5
Nuggets inbound and Najera cuts to the hoop for a layup. PP drives to the hoop and is fouled. Martin's third. He hits both FTs. Iverson goes to the hoop and misses a layup and Tony gets the weak side rebound and drives to the hoop and is fouled. He hits the fTs. PP called for a foul. Nuggets inbound on the side. Melo misses and gets his own rebound and dunks it. Celtics miss. Najera rebounds and gets it to Carter for a layup. Posey nails a 3 from the top of the arc. Iverson goes baseline and gets it to Melo with a bounce pass and Melo lays it in. PP pulls up for a jumper. Najera hits an open 3. House misses a 3 and Baby rebounds. He shuffles it to House who misses a layup. Nuggets rebound and Melo hits a jumper to give the Nuggets the lead. Baby drops a pass inside and there is a scramble for the ball. I really really hate these announcers. Time out with Nuggets up 57-56 and 2:23 left in the half
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Post by runrondo on Feb 19, 2008 22:12:03 GMT -5
WOW Rondo..HA!...This game is very exciting
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 22:14:26 GMT -5
Nuggets inbound and Melo hits a jumper. PP misses a 3 but Rondo is there for the rebound and put back. Camby misses a jumper and Rondo tries to save the ball and lands on a little kid eating dipping dots that fly all over the floor. They are cleaning up the floor and the little kid looks like he is rady to cry. Kid ok, floor clean. Nuggets inbound. Kleiza has it blocked. Rondo gets the ball ahead and takes it in for a layup. Carter takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Kleiza goes out hurt. Carter hits the FT. Rondo misses a runner along the baseline. Melo is called for his 3rd foul on the rebound. Celtics miss and Nuggets rebound. Nuggets going for the last shot. Smith misses a 3 from the corner. Celtics inbound with 3.1 left. Rondo takes the goes the length of the court and hits a runner in the lane at the buzzer. There is a lot of discussion going on. The idiot announcers are debating it. Iverson called for a push. Basket counts. .9 left on the clock. Perk comes in for RA. Rondo at the line. FT goes off the front of the rim and Nuggets rebound but can't get a shot off. Game is tied at 62 at the end of one half. Not a whole lot of defense being played by either team.
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Post by eja117 on Feb 19, 2008 22:15:38 GMT -5
It's nice to see all our guys out there and relatively healthy except Scala (Pollard doesn't count. He's a sicky). Granted KG and Perk haven't played much or all that effectively.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 19, 2008 22:35:12 GMT -5
Celtics inbound to start the 3rd. KG has it taken away as he goes up for a layup. Melo hits a jumper as the SC winds down. KG hits a jumper. RA tips the ball out. Nuggets inbound with 18 on the SC. Melo misses. KG rebounds. KG with an easy dunk. Carter called for an offensive foul as PP takes the charge (his third of the game). Celtics called for a 3 second violation. Iverson hits a jumper. RA misses a jumper and Iverson rebounds. Camby gets inside and lays it in. RA misses a jumper off the screen. Nuggets rebound. Martin gets a pass inside for a dunk. KG turns the ball over. Iverson misses an open layup. Rondo rbounds. Celtics miss and Nuggets rebound. Iverson misses a 3. Melo with the rebound. camby hits a jumper from the top of the key. Time out with Nuggets up 72-66 and 7:51 left in the third. I really, really don't like these announcers.
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