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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 16, 2008 20:13:11 GMT -5
 at  Boston Celtics (52-13) at San Antonio Spurs (44-22)
Monday, March 17
8:30 PM ET
Game #66, Road Game #32
TV: NBA LP ch 756, FSNSW, CSNHD
Radio: WEEI, Sirius 122
AT&T Center  Probable Starters       PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.5 RPG 4.20 APG 5.1 EFF + 14.08 SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.3 RPG 4.00 APG 3.0 EFF + 16.65 SF: Paul Pierce PPG 19.9 RPG 5.30 APG 4.7 EFF + 19.91 PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 18.7 RPG 9.40 APG 3.5 EFF + 24.86 C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.6 RPG 6.20 APG 1.1 EFF + 12.30 Off the Bench: Eddie House, James Posey, Tony Allen, Big Baby Davis, Leon Powe, PJ Brown, Sam Cassell, Brian Scalabrine Injuries Scot Pollard, ankle, out Ray Allen, foot, day to day   Probable Starters      PG: Tony Parker PPG 18.7 RPG 3.00 APG 5.7 EFF + 16.96 SG: Manu Ginobili PPG 20.2 RPG 5.00 APG 4.7 EFF + 20.56 SF: Bruce Bowen PPG 5.9 RPG 2.70 APG 1.2 EFF + 6.85 PF: Tim Duncan PPG 19.7 RPG 11.50 APG 3.1 EFF + 25.16 C: Kurt Thomas PPG 7.0 RPG 8.00 APG 1.1 EFF + 13.72 Off the BenchMichael Finley. Jacques Vaughn, Robert Horry, Fabricio Oberto, Damon Stoudamire, Matt Bonner InjuriesIme Udoka, ankle, out Key Matchups vs  Rajon Rondo vs Tony Parker Rondo will be facing some of the best point guards in the league on this trip and Parker is going to be a tough cover for him. Rondo needs to be aggressive and use his speed to beat Parker off the dribble.  vs  Kevin Garnett vs Tim Duncan This is a matchup of the two premier power forwards in the league. It should be a battle and a very good matchup. Keys to the GameHustle and Effort The Celtics are on the road and facing the reigning World Champions who will be looking to get back on track after 3 losses on the road. The Celtics will have to bring their "A" game and hustle for loose balls and rebounds. They can't let the Spurs work harder if they want the win. Composure The Spurs are a tough defensive team and in the past the Celtics have struggled against teams that have played them tough defensively. They need to keep their composure and not allow the defensive pressure to rattle them. Move the Ball Against the Spurs defense, they will have to move the ball to find the open man, or they will be in big trouble. They also have to get the ball inside and not settle for jumpers. Defense The Celtics will need to match the Spurs defensive intensity. They have to play tough defense and crash the boards. If they give the Spurs in inch they will take a mile. The Spurs are a good 3 point shooting team and so the Celtics need to guard the perimeter as well as the inside. X-FactorDefensive IntensityThe team that works the hardest on the defensive end will be the team that wins this game. |
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Post by Global Celtic on Mar 17, 2008 6:55:08 GMT -5
I've just watched the Bruce Bowen's videos you posted on Loy's Place and I thought "How can this guy still be playing in the league??!". "And he's a starter at the champions team?!?!"...
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Post by birdie on Mar 17, 2008 7:18:51 GMT -5
will Ray-Ray play tonight or he is in the inactive list again
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cfoo
Welcome To Celtics Green!
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Post by cfoo on Mar 17, 2008 10:05:25 GMT -5
This is the matchup we've all been waiting for. I like looking at the matchups and the plus minuses of two teams like this.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 17, 2008 10:49:41 GMT -5
I've just watched the Bruce Bowen's videos you posted on Loy's Place and I thought "How can this guy still be playing in the league??!". "And he's a starter at the champions team?!?!"... I wonder the same thing, Globalceltic. He clearly has gotten away with a lot of dirty plays and has been responsible for injuring several players. The biggest question I have is why he has never been suspended for any of them until the last one against Chris Paul. There is plenty of evidence out there as you can see from the videos on LOY's and yet, he still gets away with stuff like that. |
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Post by sexyscottish on Mar 17, 2008 12:18:37 GMT -5
Is Bowen suspended for this game? Or did it already happen?? All I know is that if this game is officiated like every other Spurs game, we're in for a huge 8 on 5 uphill battle. The Milwaukee win was huge because we got our focus back, and our starters got to rest quite a bit. We should be well rested for tonight. I think Rondo needs to be aggressive and take it to Parker as Rondo is one of the only guys in the NBA as fast as Parker. I think Pierce needs to post up Ginobili and make him play defense. Paul is much bigger and stronger so Ginobili will struggle in that matchup. My prediction, 100-90 Celtics.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 17, 2008 12:40:08 GMT -5
will Ray-Ray play tonight or he is in the inactive list again The Globe says that Ray is 50-50 for tonight. he did ok in the shoot around but they will wait until the pregame warmups to make the decision. |
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Post by birdie on Mar 17, 2008 13:28:36 GMT -5
will Ray-Ray play tonight or he is in the inactive list again The Globe says that Ray is 50-50 for tonight. he did ok in the shoot around but they will wait until the pregame warmups to make the decision. thanks for the info bro  |
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cfoo
Welcome To Celtics Green!
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Post by cfoo on Mar 17, 2008 19:44:07 GMT -5
Time out. Our defense looks completely disorganized early. What is TA doing out there?
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 17, 2008 19:47:42 GMT -5
Ray Allen is not playing. Tony started in his place. Picking up the action with Spurs up 9-4 and 7:14 left in the first. Rondo's shot goes in and out. Spurs rebound and Parker takes it hard to the hoop and lays it in. Rondo misses and Spurs rebound. Parker takes it to the hoop and pulls back. Ginobili hits a 3. KG misses a jumper. Parker rebounds. PP called for a foul as he tries to intercept a pass. Time out with Spurs up 14-4 and 5:46 left in the first. We have the Spurs feed and I hate it.
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Post by runrondo on Mar 17, 2008 19:49:24 GMT -5
TA looks completely lost out there..It's pretty disgusting actually...Rondo needs to just run the offense through...And play some damn defense...we look pretty sloppy...
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cfoo
Welcome To Celtics Green!
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Post by cfoo on Mar 17, 2008 19:50:58 GMT -5
I just meant SA is leaving TA wide open and TA looks like he is completely confused by it. He needs to take it to the basket. We really could use ray allen this game.... I dont have a good feeling about this one. This is a game that we could get blown out pretty good for the 1st time unless we claw away at them. We look totally out of sync and unprepared to play this game early.
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Post by sexyscottish on Mar 17, 2008 19:51:47 GMT -5
So much for the refs not screwing us.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 17, 2008 19:55:17 GMT -5
Manu misses on the drive and KG rebounds. Celtics hit a jumper. Duncan hits a jumper over KG. Rondo misses as the shot clock wears down and Spurs rebound. Udoka hits a jumper at the SC after good defense by the Celtics. KG gets a pass inside from PP for a dunk. Parker misses and rebound goes out to Boston. Sam and Posey come in. Horry called for a foul as he trips Pierce. Celtics inbound on the side. Pierce throws it away with a bad pass. Vaughn hits a jumper from the corner. Offensive foul on Cassell as Vaughn does a terrible flop. Time out with Spurs up 21-8 and 2:49 left in the first
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Post by runrondo on Mar 17, 2008 19:55:57 GMT -5
Our defense is out of it and that's what is really killing us...I don't know what they're expecting, just seems like we're leaving everyone open for 3 and letting people drive it to the basket...Hopefully our bench will show up tonight...
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