Celtics (1-1) at Hornets (2-0) Game #3 10/29/16

[FLCeltsFan]

at
Boston Celtics (1-1) at Charlotte Hornets (2-0)
Saturday, October 29, 2016
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game [HASH]3, Road Game [HASH]2
TV: CSN-NE, Fox Sports SE, NBA-LP (DTV752, xfinity752)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WFNZ 610 AM
Spectrum Center



Probable Starters

PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Jae Crowder
PF: Al Horford
C: Amir Johnson

Celtics Reserves
Jaylen Brown
Demetrius Jackson
Jonas Jerebko
Jordan Mickey
Terry Rozier
Gerald Green
James Young
Tyler Zeller

Injuries
Marcus Smart (ankle) questionable
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) out

Head Coach: Brad Stevens




Possible Starters

PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Nicolas Batum
SF: Michael Kidd Gilchrist
PF: Marvin Williams
C: Roy Hibbert

Probable Reserves
Ramon Sessions
Spencer Hawes
Marco Belinelli
Jeremy Lamb
Aaron Harrison
Christian Wood
Treveon Graham
Cody Zeller

Injuries
Brian Roberts (hamstring) day to day
Frank Kaminsky (foot) game time decision
Roy Hibbert (knee) game time decision

Head Coach
Steve Clifford

Game Notes
After meeting twice in the preseason, the Celtics and Hornets meet for the first time in the regular season. Both are playing in their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Celtics are 1-1 while the Hornets are 2-0, beating the Bucks and then the Heat in a come from behind win. This is the Hornets home opener and so the Celtics need to be ready for another team playing an emotional game.

The Celtics played in back to back games on Wednesday and Friday while the Hornets are playing in the second of back to back in this game. The Celtics won the series 2-1 last season with the Celtics winning twice in Charlotte and the Hornets returning the favor and winning in Boston. In the preseason, the Celtics won both meetings between these two teams.

The Celtics were missing both Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk for both of their first games and both are expected to miss this game as well. The Hornets were without both Brian Roberts and Frank Kaminsky in both of their games. Kaminsky is a game time decision while Roberts is day to day.

Roy Hibbert left their game against the Heat on Friday night after just 4 minutes with a knee injury and didn't return to the game. He is listed as a game time decision for this game. The Hornets will be a bit short handed if both Kaminsky and Hibbert are out. If so, then more than likely, Cody Zeller will start against his older brother's team.

Key Matchups
vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Kemba Walker
Walker has played very well in his first two games, averaging 20.5 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Isaiah will have a challenge keeping up with him on defense and he needs to make Kemba work on the defensive end by hitting his shots.

vs
Jae Crowder vs Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Kidd-Gilchrist scored 23 points to go with 14 rebounds in the win over the Bucks. He only scored 3 points with 5 rebounds against the Heat, but also blocked 4 shots. Jae needs to keep him from having another big game.

Honorable Mention
Center Matchup
If Hibbert plays, he is a formidable opponent at 7'2" and can control the paint if healthy. He finished the first game with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Frank Kaminsky gave the Celtics a tough time in the preseason so if he is able to play, the Celtics will also have a challenge in the paint. Amir Johnson, Al Horford, or Tyler Zeller needs to come have a strong game for the Celtics to match up.

Keys to the Game
Defense!!! - Defense wins games but the Celtics haven't shown much on defense in their first two games. They have too many very good defensive players for them to allow teams to have high scoring games on them. The perimeter defense in particular needs to tighten up.

Rebound - You have to have the ball in order to score and you are going to struggle if you allow the opponent to beat you on the boards. The Bulls out-rebounded the Celtics 55-36. The Celtics simply must fight harder to win the battle of the boards. They won't win many games in which they are out-rebounded by 20.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team. They have to play harder and fight for loose balls and rebounds and play harder on defense. They must be the team that wants it more!

Play Hard for 48 Minutes - The Celtics can't let up and allow a big lead to disappear as they did against the Nets. They also can't come out flat like they did against the Bulls. They have to play hard from the opening tip to the final buzzer. The Hornets came from behind to beat the Heat and so the Celtics simply can't let up until the very end.

X-Factor
3 Games in 4 Nights
Both teams are playing in their 3rd game in 4 nights. The Celtics played Wednesday and Thursday and had Friday off. The Hornets played Wednesday and Friday and are playing in the second game of a back to back set and had to travel Friday night. Depth will be a factor as both teams will be fighting fatigue.

[jrmzt]

I think another key matchup will be how well Bradley holds down Batum. We know Batum is extremely capable of being a playmaker who will either knock down alot of 3s or create many opportunities for his team. The guy can rebound, shoot and pass very well. We just have to make sure we don't allow him those easy passes to a cutting MKG.

[eja117]

Abby Chin looks so much skinnier

[eja117]

Is it just me or is Avery our best player these days?

[joshrblabber]

Oct 29, 2016 18:39:59 GMT -5 eja117 said:

Is it just me or is Avery our best player these days?

I agree, along with Horford. They both play the right way, totally focused on the team. In addition to their obvious skills, they don't have attitude problems. They are a joy to watch.

[eja117]

Was that the best game of Avery's career?

[mev17]

Much better game tonight. Except for a stretch in the third, the defense was much improved. And epic performance by Bradley - not only the 8 threes but the 11 rebounds.

[jrmzt]

Looking forward to seeing Crowder get going as the season progresses.

My only beef is with Amir...why is he starting?? I see him as being more effective against a 2nd unit simply because he doesn't have the chops to go against another team's best PF or big man. That said, its not like we have any other alternative sitting on the bench. I hear KG is looking for a consulting role...I say dump him and Jordan Mickey into a room and watch Mickey come out a beast. Either that or we trade many picks for a good big man right away.

[DERRENMATTS]

Oct 29, 2016 20:34:04 GMT -5 mev17 said:

Much better game tonight. Except for a stretch in the third, the defense was much improved. And epic performance by Bradley - not only the 8 threes but the 11 rebounds.

We're going to see our guards go after rebounds more.

Biggest difference in Bradley this year is his confidence. Not only in his shooting, but also in his ability to keep his dribble alive and look for the crease in the lane to drive. This game, he was more perimeter minded because he was feeling his stroke. But in the other games, he looked more intent on attacking the basket if the opportunity arose.

Good to see him early on being a big factor. With this team, we're going to see roles change often, as far as who's stepping up to carry the team. Bradley did it tonight, IT did it our first game. No one really did in our loss to the Bulls.

[DERRENMATTS]

Oct 29, 2016 22:14:06 GMT -5 jrmzt said:

Looking forward to seeing Crowder get going as the season progresses.

My only beef is with Amir...why is he starting?? I see him as being more effective against a 2nd unit simply because he doesn't have the chops to go against another team's best PF or big man. That said, its not like we have any other alternative sitting on the bench. I hear KG is looking for a consulting role...I say dump him and Jordan Mickey into a room and watch Mickey come out a beast. Either that or we trade many picks for a good big man right away.

Amir is good at defending the post, and defending the switch on pick and rolls. But he's not a guy who blocks a lot of shots or intimidates the middle.

[jmost]

Bradley stands out to me as someone who gets better every single year. And he's only 25. Hard to believe because it seems he's been here forever. But he's just coming into his prime and he should keep improving for a few more years. I know Zizic is in the wings for next year, but I'm starting to wonder if Smart is superfluous and might be trade bait for a rebounding big man.

[jrmzt]

Oct 30, 2016 3:34:42 GMT -5 DERRENMATTS said:

Oct 29, 2016 22:14:06 GMT -5 jrmzt said:

Looking forward to seeing Crowder get going as the season progresses.

My only beef is with Amir...why is he starting?? I see him as being more effective against a 2nd unit simply because he doesn't have the chops to go against another team's best PF or big man. That said, its not like we have any other alternative sitting on the bench. I hear KG is looking for a consulting role...I say dump him and Jordan Mickey into a room and watch Mickey come out a beast. Either that or we trade many picks for a good big man right away.

Amir is good at defending the post, and defending the switch on pick and rolls. But he's not a guy who blocks a lot of shots or intimidates the middle.

Yup and those sorts of guys are usually 2nd unit guys who play on their specialties. The same way Iguodola comes off the bench as the key defender. Not a starter.

[FLCeltsFan]

I thought Mickey looked pretty good in his brief stint on the court in this one. I'd love to see him get some more minutes. He's got the instincts and just needs playing time to improve them.