C's Visit Larry Legend At Conseco
by CelticBalla32 on Nov 1, 2008 4:20 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Games
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Saturday, November 1, 2008
7:00 pm ET
Conseco Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
To open up the 2008-2009 regular season, the Boston Celtics have taken care of business with a pair of home victories over Cleveland and Chicago, predicated off of their typical bullish defensive intensity. Tonight, the defending champs will face off against Larry Legend's Indiana Pacers in their initial road trip of the season, in which they'll complete early-week with a back-to-back setup against Houston and Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Pacers are not the same team we've become accustomed to facing. Jermaine O'Neal is no longer a member of the squad, as he was shipped to Toronto this past summer in exchange for a package highlighted by T.J. Ford and 17th overall draft pick Roy Hibbert.
This run-and-gun, perimeter-oriented team has adopted our favorite style of play - Obie Ball. With O'Neal being replaced by younger, more energetic players, this group should have the opportunity to flourish with one another as soon as this season. However, before they will have a chance to make any noise or gain any ounce of confidence, they'll have to come through the men in green at Conseco tonight at 7.
Projected Starters
PG 
SG 
SF 
PF 
C 
Celtics X-Factor: Close Out On Shooters
This Indiana Pacer team is young, rather inconsistent, and has some trouble on the defensive end. However, if there's one thing we can say about a Jim O'Brien team, it's that they are not shy about firing away from deep. This group in particular is more than capable of knocking down treys with the best of them, and if you fail to aggressively close out on the perimeter, you might be in trouble at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Celtics have certainly made a name for themselves over the past year on the defensive end, but it is very important that the green do not take this Pacer team lightly. Don't dare them and don't give them too much space.
Projected Starters
PG 
SG 
SF 
PF 
C 
Pacers X-Factor: Run
Indiana doesn't have a shot in the dark at taking down the champs in a halfcourt setting. The only way they'll have an opportunity to steal this game is if they make it a point to attack up the gut, fill lanes, and take advantage of their magnificent cast of shooters as trailers in transition. They've got the perfect point guard to run that style in T.J. Ford, and they've got a fitting coach to preach it. They've got to get it done against Boston.
Key Matchup
When you're talking about Paul Pierce and Danny Granger, one word to describe the two is "versatility." They can play multiple positions, shoot the three, defend the perimeter, scrap on the boards, finish at the rim, run the floor... you name it. Pierce is clearly more advanced in one-on-one situations, but Granger is no slouch of an offensive player himself. Look for these two to battle hard on both ends of the floor.
Injury Report
IND: Travis Diener (sore left foot - out).
Keys to Victory
- Close Out On Shooters
- Finish Defensive Possessions With Boards
- Limit Turnovers
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Sorry
Sorry for the late posting. I had set the timer for noon, but I apparently forgot to click the “Show on front page” box.
Go Celtics! Go Hoyas!
Good preview, but...
Wednesday’s game is at Oklahoma City, not New Orleans. Easy mistake to make!
http://rhymeswithhondo.blogspot.com
by Rhymes With Hondo on Nov 1, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions
Officiating
Good to see Violet Palmer is already in mid-season form — this is to say, she is still god-awful.
Physically Granger looks impressive, better shape than he was in late last season. Looks a little quicker too.
by Who on Nov 1, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
The C’s need halftime to come quickly. Some time to get their heads back in the game. Lot of odd mistakes.
I think they’ll come out strong in the second.
Maybe im not looking close enough
but im not seeing these fouls
The Celtics played like crap. Second night of a back to back on the road. Predictable.
It looked funny seeing Obie and Dick Harter over on the Pacer bench. The young players seemed to have bought into Harter’s schemes (they blitzed the pick and roll every time) and my guess is that they will be a better team without JO.
Looked like they had that attitude like all we need to do is walk on the court to win cause we’re the Champs! That’s about the most lifeless I’ve ever seen KG!
Truly one of the worst exhibitions of BB I’ve seen from a pro team—-EVER! Nevermind the World Champions!
Have to double up on my blood pressure meds after that!!!
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