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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 21, 2008 23:04:00 GMT -5
 vs  Boston Celtics (41-11) at Phoenix Suns (37-17)
Friday, February 22
10:30 PM ET
Game #53, Road Game #26
TV: ESPN, FSNAZ HD, CSN HD
Radio: WEEI, Sirius 122
US Airways Center  Probable Starters      Rajon Rondo/Ray Allen/Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett/Kendrick Perkins Off the BenchPowe, Davis, T Allen, House, Posey, Pollard, Pruitt InjuriesBrian Scalabrine, groin, day to day        Steve Nash/Raja Bell/Grant Hill/Amare Stoudamire/Shaquille O'Neal Off the BenchBarbosa, Strawberry, Piatkowski, Skinner, Marks, Tucker InjuriesNone Key Matchups vs  Rajon Rondo PPG 10.6 RPG 4.40 APG 4.8 EFF + 14.54 Steve Nash PPG 17.6 RPG 3.50 APG 11.7 EFF + 23.28 Rondo has a tough matchup against the two time MVP. He will have to stay aggressive and keep his focus if the Celtics are to win this one. His defense will also be important to keep Nash from taking over the game.  vs  Kevin Garnett PPG 18.8 RPG 10.00 APG 3.7 EFF + 25.98 Amare Stoudamire PPG 23.5 RPG 9.40 APG 1.1 EFF + 27.55 KG looked better against the Warriors than he did against the Nuggets, but he still wasn't 100%. He will need to be as close to 100% as possible for this game as Amare is one of the toughest matchups KG will face this season on both ends of the court. Honorable MentionKendrick Perkins PPG 7.1 RPG 5.50 APG 1.0 EFF + 10.56 Shaquille O'Neal PPG 14.2 RPG 7.90 APG 1.4 EFF + 15.91 Even though Perk gives up size to Shaq, he has played him very well in the past. Perk has struggled in the two games back since the break and hopefully he also will be back to 100% as we will need him against Shaq. Keys to the GameDEFENSE After building their reputation on defense, the Celtics have played little or no defense in their last two games. They can't outscore these run and gun teams in the west and must get back to playing the tough, in your face defense defense that got them here. If they don't, it could be a very long night. REBOUND The Celtics were out-rebounded 49-37 by the Warriors. Much of rebounding is efford and desire and the Celtics need both as the Suns have Amare and Shaq who will be crashing the boards and the Celtics need to match their intensity and beat them to them. FREE THROWS In the past 2 games the Celtics have missed 23 free throws. If they had made those free throws, both teams would have been victories. They have to make their free throws or they could come back to bite us in this game as well. Game NotesThe Suns are a formidable opponent. They are good at home with a 20-7 record there. They are 21-2 against the Eastern Conference. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games as they struggle somewhat to gain chemistry after the trade. The Suns are tied with the Warriors for the league lead in points per game with 110.1. They aren't known for their defense as they allow 104.5 points per game. They are first in the league in points scored, field goal percentage and assists. They are second in the league in blocks, 3rd in 3 point percentage and 4th in free throw percentage. The Celtics came into the break allowing a league best 89.4 ppg but after the last two games, that has risen to 90.7 and they have slipped behind Detroit to number 2 in that category. In Shaq's debut on Wednesday, the Suns lost to the Lakers 130-124. Like every team we face these days, they are going to be motivated to beat the Celtics and it will take a recommitment to defense and good team play from everyone to beat this team. |
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cfoo
Welcome To Celtics Green!
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Post by cfoo on Feb 21, 2008 23:25:06 GMT -5
Our schedule definately isn't getting any easier. This is going to be a good game against maybe a finals matchup here. I sort of like the shaq trade. I sort of don't. I think we can run the suns now, and what are the suns going to do once Shaq retires? They traded a good young player in marion for him which was a lot. They are pretty much going all in and banking that this is the year. I think if we meet in the finals its going to be a good matchup. Phoenix relaly doesnt have a whole lot of weaknesses once they get their chemistry down and get used to playing with Oneal.
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Post by runrondo on Feb 22, 2008 0:09:30 GMT -5
^Well, from what i've heard from various reports is that Marion was going to opt out and leave the Suns anyway..So instead of getting nothing in return of him and letting him go they traded him to get players..But i do think they could've gotten better for Marion..Nash isn't going to be amazing forever, their window was closing anyway even if they didn't make the trade..I'm indifferent on the trade too but I just like that trade cause Amare can play the 4 and we saw against the Lakers he put up 35 and 17 with Shaq playing...
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cfoo
Welcome To Celtics Green!
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Post by cfoo on Feb 22, 2008 0:25:06 GMT -5
This is true. It's going to be a good game. I can't wait for this one.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2008 10:44:23 GMT -5
Ditto here, let's go Celtics!  |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 11:20:54 GMT -5
Welcome to Celtics Green sportiebabe6! I look forward to reading your thoughts on the C's here!! Good to have you here!!!
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Post by sexyscottish on Feb 22, 2008 19:03:05 GMT -5
Would it be too much to ask for some fair officiating for once?? I bet Rondo is called for at least two or three chippy's against Nash who is as good a flopper as there is. And I wonder if the refs have figured out that Shaq camps in the lane for a lot longer than 3 seconds at a time. If we finally get decent officiating, we win by 10+. If not, we're screwed and they may as well not even play the game.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 20:04:04 GMT -5
I agree sexyscottish. The officiating has been horrible on this trip so far. the Denver game was one of the worst officiated games I have ever seen. I really hope for some good officials in this game as it is getting old having to play 5 on 8 every game.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 22:47:37 GMT -5
Picking up the action with Suns up 11-4 and Stoudamire at the line. 6:43 left in the first. He hits both FTs to put the Suns up 13-4. RA throws it away. Hill drives to the hoop and lays it in. Time out with Phoenix up 15-4 6:21 left in the first
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Post by runrondo on Feb 22, 2008 22:49:33 GMT -5
Garnett hasn't hit a jumper since the injury...Rondo really has to stop throwing the ball up hoping to get blocked, he practically gave that to Shaq..I mean, we all know about Rondo's athleticism and ability to finish..Ray's playing very careless and Pierce hasn't done a thing against Grant Hill..It might get ugly if we don't pull it together....
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 23:01:08 GMT -5
Stoudamire at the line. He hits both FT's Pierce has the ball knocked away by Stoudamire and Barbosa takes it to the hoop for a layup. KG hits a jumper. Stoudamire quickly gets to the other end and lays it in. KG called for a travel as he is double teamed. Bell missses and PP hustles for the rebound but runs into Barbosa who goes goes to the side to have a cut over his eye taken care of. Pollard is in for the first time since Jan 21. RA draws a foul with 1 on the SC as he misses a runner in the lane. RA hits both FTs. Oneal and Pollard fighting for a rebound and they call a jumper ball even though Shaq had his arms wrappred around Pollard. Pollard gets the tip and Rondo takes it all the way in for a dunk. Baby called for a blocking foul as Shaq plows into him. Shaq misses the first and hits the second FT. Sceond FT doesn't count because Shaq is called for a lane violation. Rondo misses a jumper and Nash rebounds. Diaw passes inside to Shaq and there is a crowd under the basket. The ball goes out of bounds. Baby comes away holding his head as he got hit. Time out with Suns up 21-10 and 2:32 left in the first
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 23:09:54 GMT -5
Celtics miss and Suns come away with the rebound. RA called for a foul but they ignored the fact that Ray was grabbed. Hill hits both FTs. RA misses from the side and Suns rebound. RA gets hit in the face with an elbow from Stoudamire and no call. Suns turn it over. Shaq called for a foul on Pollard. He misses the first. hits the second. Baby with a steal and he takes it all the way in for a layup. Marks called for a travel. Pollard gets the ball inside and misses a layup but gets it back and then steps out of bounds. Stoudamire misses and Marks rebounds and is fouled. He misses the first and hits the second. Rondo drives into the lane and misses a one handed shot. Suns rebound. Defensive 3 second violation on the Celtics. Hill misses the T. Suns inbound with 7.4 in the game. Suns miss a jumper and Rondo rebounds and misses a 3/4 court heave at the buzzer Score at the end of 1 is Suns 24 and Celtics 13
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 23:24:45 GMT -5
Celtics inbound to start the second. House pulls up and hits a jumper. Defensive 3 seconds callled against Tony. Suns hit the T. Suns inbound with 14 on the SC. Baby called for his second foul. Marks misses a jumper and Diaw grabs the rebound. Reach in foul called on KG. Suns inbound with 14 on the SC. Hill takes the ball to the hoop and misses a layup but is fouled. He hits both FTs. KG spins to the hoop and throws it in over Stoudamire. KG called for a foul. Diaw misses a jumper as Skinner is called for a foul setting a screen. PP backs into the basket and spins on Hill and is fouled. He hits both FTs. Celtics with trapping pressure in the back court. Bell misses and Perk rebounds. PP gets inside and misses but gets his own rebound and draws the foul on Skinner. Celtics inbound on the side. PP hits a 3 and the lead is down to 5. Shaq misses a shot over Perk and Hill called for a foul on the rebound. PP misses a jumper in the lane and gets away with a travel. Tony with a steal. Perk gets the ball inside and dunks. Nash drives to the hoop and Perk with the block. PP gets inside and misses a dunk but rebounds his own shot. Shaq with a steal. House steals the ball from Diaw. Tony gets the ball inside to KG for a dunk. Time out with Phoenix up 27-26 and 7:40 left in the second.
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cfoo
Welcome To Celtics Green!
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Post by cfoo on Feb 22, 2008 23:30:40 GMT -5
Man we are so quick defensively. Need to get back in the flow offensively. Garnett cant hit a jumpshot and is out of sync.
I love the makeup of this team though. It's good to see us go against a team like this and how we matchup. We are actually quicker than the suns.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 22, 2008 23:31:19 GMT -5
Tony deflect the pass from Diaw to Shaq. KG misses a jumper and Suns rebound. Suns turn it over. Celtics turn it over as Tony tries to force a pass inside. Stoudamire misses inside and House comes away with the rebound. PP called for an offensive foul. KG with a block on Stoudamire. Suns inbound with 10 on the SC. Perk with a block on Stoudamire. KG rebounds and falls to the ground. He rolls around trying to keep Stoudamire from tying him up and he passes out. KG misses and Shaq rebounds. Stoudamire misses and rebound goes out off Boston. Time out with Suns up 27-26 and 5:20 left in the first. Celtics found their defense as the Suns haven't scored in over 12 minutes.
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