|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 27, 2008 14:50:23 GMT -5
 at  New Orleans Hornets (49-21) at Boston Celtics (56-15)
Friday, March 28
7:30 PM ET
Game #72. Road Game #37
TV: NBA -TV , CST, CSN HD
Radio: WEEI, Sirius 125
TD Banknorth Garden  Probable Starters  PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.6 RPG 4.10 APG 5.0 EFF + 14.00  SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.2 RPG 3.90 APG 3.1 EFF + 16.55  SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.1 RPG 5.40 APG 4.6 EFF + 20.30  PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 19.0 RPG 9.40 APG 3.5 EFF + 24.94  C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.4 RPG 6.20 APG 1.1 EFF + 12.19 Off the Bench James Posey, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Tony Allen, PJ Brown, Sam Cassell, Brian Scalabrine Injuries None   Probable Starters  PG: Chris Paul PPG 21.6 RPG 3.90 APG 11.4 EFF + 28.04  SG: Morris Peterson PPG 8.0 RPG 2.80 APG 0.9 EFF + 7.50  SF: Peja Stojakovic PPG 16.1 RPG 4.30 APG 1.2 EFF + 14.29  PF David West PPG 20.3 RPG 9.10 APG 2.3 EFF + 21.75  C: Tyson Chandler PPG 11.6 RPG 12.20 APG 1.1 EFF + 20.10 Off the Bench Bonzi Wells, Jannero Pargo, Melvin Ely, Mike James, Ryan Bowen, Hilton Armstrong, Chris Anderson, Rasual Butler InjuriesNone Key Matchups  vs  Rajon Rondo vs Chris Paul Rondo has yet again another challenge facing him in this game. He just proved that he was equal to guarding a two time MVP and now is going up against this year's possible MVP. Rondo outplayed Paul in New Orleans and he should do the same in this game.  vs  Kevin Garnett vs David West Containing David West is going to be a big key to this game. He scored 37 points in the first game against the Celtics and he hit the game winner against the Cavs in the Hornets' last game. KG is going to have to play him like he did Amare and make him work hard on both ends of the court. Keys to the Game Play 48 Minutes Against the Hornets and Sixers, the Celtics lost a big lead and pretty much gave the games away in the 4th. They need to play 48 minutes and not let up, even if they have a lead. Good teams like the Hornets will take any let up and run with it. Defense The Hornets can hurt you both inside and out. Peja is dangerous from beyond the arc. Chandler can hurt you in the paint. West is the 17 foot assassin. Chris Paul can hit the outside shot as well as take it to the hoop. The Celtics need to stick with the tough defense that got them here and that they showed in the second half of the Suns game. Be Aggressive The Celtics need to be aggressive and come out strong to start the game. They need to be aggressive in taking the ball to the hoop and not settling for jumper. They have to be aggressive on the boards and not allow the Hornets to get second chance baskets. Game Notes: The Hornets are the only team in the league that the Celtics haven't beat at least once. They will be looking to become the only team in the league to sweep the Celtics and they are also fighting for playoff position and so they will be highly motivated. The Celtics have first place pretty much sewn up but should find enough motivation in trying to avoid a sweep. |
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 18:33:31 GMT -5
Game is on NBA TV and we get Mike and Tommy. Yippee!! I miss Mike and Tommy when I have to listen to the other teams' feeds. Rondo will play tonight even though he sat out yesterday with sore hamstring.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 18:49:29 GMT -5
Hornets win the tip. West misses in the lane and KG grabs the rebound. Rondo loops the ball inside to Perk who had Paul on him in a mismatch and he lays it in. Chandler misses a layup and KG gets the weak side rebound. PP fakes the 3 and drives to the hoop. He misses a layup and Hornets rebound. Peja hits a jumper. RA pulls up and hits a jumper. Peja misses a 3 and KG rebounds. ROndo tries to force it inside and Hornets get a steal. Hornets almose turn it over but recover. Peterson hits a jumper. Perk gets the ball inside and lays it in. Ball rolls around the rim and in. RA called for a blocking foul. Hornets inbound on the side. Paul hits an open jumper. PP drives to the hoop and draws a foul on Chandler. PP at the line hits both FTs. Hornets miss a jumper. PP misses a jumper. Perk keeps the ball alive and boxes out as ball goes out off NO. KG hits a jumper off the inbounds pass. Paul takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Rondo takes it baseline and hits a scoop shot up and under. Chandler lays it in and is fouled by Pierce. He hits the FT. RA misses a jumper. Hornets rebound. Paul misses a jumper in traffic. Perk rebounds. Rondo with a pass to a cutting Perk but he can't get the handle. Hornets rebound and miss on the other end. KG rebounds. Rondo drives into the lane and hits a jumper. KG called for a foul. not a good call by the refs. Peterson misses a layup as Perk makes him miss the shot. PP rebounds. Pierce's pass inside is picked off by the Hornets. Peterson hits a 3. KG hits a jumper from the top of the key. Rondo called for his first foul. Time out with Celtics up 16-14 and 5:13 left in the first.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 18:56:33 GMT -5
RA called for his second foul. Chandler at the line. He hits the first. Tony comes in for Ray. he hits the second. PP drives baseline and hits a scoop shot among several Hornets. West hits a jumper. PP is doubled and finds Rondo who somehow gets to the hoop and hits a layup. West misses Celtics rebound. KG backs down West and hits a hook shot. West hits a jumper off the catch. KG takes it to the hoop and puts it up too hard off the glass. Hornets rebound. Paul has it slapped away and Perk grabs it. Rondo drives to the hoop and hits another scoop shot. Peterson misses and KG hustles to the corner and saves the ball in to Rondo. PP drives to the hoop and is fouled. Time out with Celtics up 24-20 and 1:58 left in the first
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:05:44 GMT -5
Pierce at the line. First FT bounces off the front of the rim and in. Second one nothing but net. Peja hits a deep 3. Tony cuts across the lane and hits Powe with a blind pass for a layup. nice play!!! Powe called for a foul on Chandler. He front rims the first. Baby comes in for Perk who gets a nice hand as he comes out. Chandler misses the second and Powe grabs the rebound. PP takes it to the hoop and is fouled by Chandler. Baby and PP go down to the floor. Tommy was chuckling and said that Baby almost landed on Pierce and if he did we would have seen #34 embedded in the parquet. PP hits both FTs. Chris Anderson is on the floor for the Hornets. Peja misses a 3. Anderson gets the rebound and misses the put back. Hornets get the rebound again and miss a layup. Anderson gets the rebound and it goes out off Baby. Score at the end of 1 is Celtics 30 and Hornets 24.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:13:10 GMT -5
Celtics inbound to start the 2nd. Celtics miss and Hornets rebound. West hits a tough jumper. Tony drives across the lane and hits a hook shot. Powe called for his second foul. Posey, Tony, Powe, Baby and House on the floor. Hornets inbound on the side. Wells hits a jumper. Tony takes it into the lane and Anderson slaps it away. Celtics inbound with 2 on the SC. Baby shoots off the catch but West with a block and Celtics have a 24 second violation. PJ comes in for Baby. Pargo hits a jumper. Tony drives and hits a short jumper on the baseline. Wells hits a jumper. Tony drives to thehoop and Anderson blocks his shot. Hornets rebound and quickly score at the other end to tie the game at 34. Posey misses a jumper. Anderson rebounds. Pargo pulls up and hits a 3. Time out with Hornets up 37-34.
8:26 left in the half
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:21:07 GMT -5
Celtics inbound. KG takes it to the hoop for a dunk. Wells hits a step back jumper over Posey. KG, Posey, RA, House, PJ on the floor. House misses a jumper. Hornets rebound. Wells with a tip in. KG is fouled under the hoop and will go to the line. He misses the first as the crowd chants MVP. He hits the second. Rondo and PP back in. Wells drives and PP called for a foul. Not a good call. Peja misses a jumper and rebound comes out to Rondo. Peja called for a foul. PP spins around the defender and lays it in and draws the foul. Starters on the floor except PJ in for Perk. PP hits the FT. Celtics back to within 1. Paul misses a 3. Peja rebounds. Pargo misses and KG rebounds. Rondo gets the ball ahead to RA who hits a 2 off the catch. Time out with Celtics up 43-41 and 5:33 left in the half
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:28:34 GMT -5
Hornets inbound on the side. Paul hits a deep three from the top of the arc. Rondo drives to the hoop and has it blocked by Chandler. Hornets come away with it. Peja hits a jumper. Ray misses a short jumper in the lane. PJ with the tip in. Paul with an Alley oop to Chandler. That was the 89th alley oop between Paul and Chandler this season. Rondo is fouled by Pargo as he drives to the hoop. Celtics inbound on the side. Peja intercepts a pass from PP to KG but it goes out off him. Celtics inbound. PP misses a 3. Hornets rebound. Paul misses a jumper and KG rebounds. KG is fouled by Peja on the rebound. Perk comes back in for PJ. KG goes to the line and hits both FTs as the crowd chants MVP again. Paul takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Rondo drives and kicks out to KG who misses from the corner. Hornets rebound. Paul drives and lays it in and is fouled. Time out with Hornets up 42-47 and 2:50 left in the half.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:36:03 GMT -5
Paul hits the FT. Pargo with light pressure on Rondo as he brings it up. Pargo called for a foul on Rondo. He misses the first and hits the second. West misses a jumper. Perk rbounds. KG gets the ball on the baseline and lays it in. West hits a jumper on the other end. Tony drives down the lane and hits a runner. Paul tries and alley oop but Tony blocks it and hits the floor hard. Tony is slow to get up and is still down as Rondo gets a layup at the other end. He gets up but is moving slowly. Tony called for a foul and Peja hits both FTs. time out with Hornets up 57-54 and 25.8 left in the half.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:38:09 GMT -5
Celtics inbound. PP pulls up and hits a jumper from the FT line. Paul finds Peja in the corner for a 3 at the buzzer.
Score at the half is Hornets 60 and Celtics 56.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 19:56:38 GMT -5
Celtics inbound to start the 3rd. Perk with an alley oop pass into KG for a dunk. Hornets with a 24 second violation as the Celtics pick up their defense. KG hits a jumper from the top of the key off the catch. Game tied at 60. Peterson misses a 3 and Perk rebounds. RA drives down the lane and lays it in. Time out with Celtics up 62-60 and 10:32 left in the 3rd
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 20:15:03 GMT -5
West loses the ball out of bounds as he drives in the lane. KG hits a jumper off the pick and pop. Peterson misses a 3 from the corner. Perk with the weak side rebound. PP missees a 3. KG with a save but it goes in to Peja. KG landed on a kid in the first row. Hornets miss a jumper but the rebound comes out to Paul beyond the arc and he hits a 2. PP loses the ball Peja hits a wide open 3. KG and Chandler wrestling for position. KG called for a foul. Crowd booing the cloud loudly. KG's 2nd foul. NO inbounds on the side. Paul misses a runner in the lane. Celtics rebound. Rondo misses a flip shot under the basket but KG is there for the rebound and a monster dunk. Hornets miss and RA rebounds. Perk backs into the lane and hits a hook shot and is fouled by West. He hits the FT. West hits a tough shot over KG. RA hits a 3 off the catch. Horrible call by the refs as they call Perk for a foul. Doc is irate over the call. Perk called for a second foul. Doc is called for a technical. Kenny Mauer is making some terrible calls. I wouldn't be surprised to find out this guy has money on the Hornets. Hornets hit the T. Chandler hits the first and misses the second. Perk grabs the rebound. PP drives hard to the hoop and is fouled by Peja. PP hits both FTs. West misses and PP rebounds. RA misses a baseline jumper. Pargo rebounds. Rondo called for a foul. Mauer with another bad call. Paul misses both FTs. KG rebounds. Peja fouls PP as he drives baseline. Peja's 4th foun and Wells comes in for him. KG misses a turnaround at the SC. Hornets rebound. West with a strong move to the hoop for a layup. PP beats Wells and takes it hard to the hoop for a dunk. Both teams playing with a lot of emotion. Perk called for his 3rd foul. Powe comes in for Perk. Chandler hits the first and misses the second. Powe with the rebound. Rondo hits a jumper off the catch. Wells misses a jumper and West called for a foul on the rebound. Celtics inbound on the side. Rondo hit a jumper from the other side. They are leaving Rondo open and he is hitting the shots. Celtics with a delay of game. Pargo misses a jumper and PP rebounds. Chandler with a block on PP's shot but he is called for the foul. Time out with Celtics up 80-73 and 2:30 left in the 3rd.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 20:22:58 GMT -5
PP at the line. He hits both FTs. West called for a foul as he shoves Powe with 2 hands under the basket. RA stops and pops and hits a jumper. Paul misses a floater in the lane. rebound goes out of bounds off the Hornets. RA misses a 3 but Rondo flies in for the rebound. PP gets away with a travel and then hits a jumper. Celtics on a 10-0 run. Offensive foul on West as Powe takes the charge. West's 5th foul. Rondo hits a jumper over Paul as the SC winds down. 12-0 run. Brown called for a foul. Paul hits a FT to stop the Celtics run. Paul hits the second. House misses a 3 at the buzzer. Score at the end of 3 is Celtics 88 and Hornets 75.
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 20:31:49 GMT -5
Hornets inbound to start the 4th. Hornets miss as Powe plays great defense. Paul with a steal. Tony with a steal. KG gets it inside to Powe who is fouled by Anderson. Powe hits both FTs. Pargo hits a 3 from the corner. House hits a 3 from the corner. Offensive foul on Paul as Posey takes the charge. House hits a 3 off the catch from KG. Peja misses a 3 and KG rips down the rebound. Anderson called for a foul as he runs over Posey. West comes back in for Anderson with 9:40 left. Powe misses a turn around jumper in the lane. Hornets rebound. Wells gets a pass inside and lays it in. KG misses a fall away and Wells rebounds. wes misses and Posey tracks down the rebound. House misses from the corner and Pargo gets the weak side rebound. Hornets miss and KG grabs the rebound. Time out with Celtics up 96-80 8:12 left in the 4th
|
|
|
|
Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 28, 2008 20:39:52 GMT -5
Celtics inbound. Pierce draws the foul on Wells. Powe, Posey, Pierce, House and Tony on the court. Celtics going small. PP hits both FTs. with that FT Pierce passed Cousy on the all time Celtics FT list. Peja misses deep. PP with the rebound. House hits a 3 off the catch. Posey with a foul on Wells as he blocks the shot. Wells misses the first. misses the second. posey with the rebound. PP hits a tough fall away in the lane. Paul with an alley oop to Chandler. Posey misses a 3 from the corner. Chandler with the rebound. Paul gets away with a travel and hits a runner and is fouled by Posey. He hits the FT. PP drives and lays it down to Powe for a layup. Hornets miss and Posey rips down the rebound. House gets pushed out of bounds but the refs don't call the foul. Time out with Celtics up 104-85 and 5:41 left in the 4th
|
|
