Celtics Face off Against New Look Rockets
by Jim Weeks on Nov 4, 2008 3:47 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Games
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PrintBoston Celtics at Houston Rockets, Nov 4, 2008 8:30 PM EST
Boston Celtics (2-1) at Houston Rockets (3-0)
Tuesday November 4th, 8:30 PM ET
Season Game #4, Road Game #2
TV: Comcast SportsNet, NBA TV
Radio: WEEI
Toyota Center
Rockets Blog: The Dream Shake
Probable Starting Lineups
Rajon Rondo vs. Rafer Alston
Ray Allen vs. Tracy McGrady
Paul Pierce vs. Ron Artest
Kevin Garnett vs. Luis Scola
Kendrick Perkins vs. Yao Ming
Scheduling Note
Both the Celtics and Rockets last played on Saturday. Boston lost on the road to Indiana and Houston knocked off the Thunder in the Toyota Center. Advantage Houston.
Injury Report: Boston - No Injuries Reported, Houston - Shane Battier, Questionable (ankle).
Players to Watch
Leon Powe and Carl Landry. According to their NBA.com profiles Landry has an inch and 9 pounds on Powe. And while their games are not exact replicas, there are similarities. Hollinger's PER loves them and they both benefited from the rise of the undersized power forward over the last several seasons. Finally, they're both bidding their time and improving before they sign nice contracts.
Key Match Up
Given how Rondo and Alston faced off the last two time these teams met, it would be easy to go with the point guard match up. However, that's clearly the under card to Pierce/Artest. As a Celtics blogger I'm legally obligated to link to the infamous shorts incident. Having gotten that out of the way I have one question: Is Artest playing consistent, hard defense again? I have not seen him in Houston yet and that definitely could be the case. However, over the last few seasons Artest was picking his spots. He still had the reputation as a stellar defender, but I felt he did not work as hard on the perimeter. Perhaps I'm wrong. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how he plays with his new team.
Meanwhile, I love where Pierce's game is right now. He used to make me a little nervous at times and I would worry about someone like Artest getting inside The Truth's head. It was just last season that Pierce was ejected on MLK Day. Still, Pierce's physical and mental game have both come a long way. I'm looking for Pierce to bring his A game. By the way, if you click on that ejection clip you'll see how much weight Pierce has dropped since last season. It's noticeable.
YouTube Magic
Rockets imitate Deke! (via Odenized)
In case you were wondering, here's how I'd rank the top 3 Dikembe Impersonators:#3 Steve Novak
#2 Aaron Brooks
#1 Shane Battier
Closing Thought
You could make the case that the Rockets are this year's Celtics. Granted it's not a perfect analogy, as McGrady and Yao were in Houston together previously. But Artest's arrival led to lofty expectations. And the Rockets are off to a great start. Meanwhile, after a dismal showing in Indiana, I'd love to see the Celtics rebound and send an message.
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Let's try this again
I know some people love the chat room and some folks must have their Tommy Points, but for those that want another option, try this thread. I think it is really neat to be able to discuss the game with people in real-time while still being able to reply to specific comments in threaded format.
Just another option to use for interacting with each other on the blog. Enjoy.
Trying!
We’re with you Jeff—just taking some time. My computer blew up (I think as a result of the Celticsblog migration), so getting used to the new site is taking longer with my girlfriend’s laptop. If I can’t stay, enjoy the game, and let’s hope that the C’s manage a better performance tonight.
by Thruthelookingglass on Nov 4, 2008 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
interesting note from the Globe
if we can shake off the rust of the Indy game and get in gear, we could make a good deal of headway in November:
The Celtics, 2-1, play 16 games this month. They visit Oklahoma City Wednesday and play host to Milwaukee Friday. Next week, the Celtics will play five games — at Detroit Sunday; home games against Toronto Monday, Atlanta Wednesday, Nov. 12, and Denver Friday, Nov. 15; then a visit to Milwaukee Nov. 15.
Artest
re: Jim’s question:
Is Artest playing consistent, hard defense again?
Does playing consistently dirty count?
If they play like they did against Indiana they will lose by 40.
If they can run a little, Perkins, Garnett and the other Celtics big men ought to be able to beat Yao and Scola down the floor. You really don’t want to get into a halfcourt game against Houston.
well yeah
and if they play like they did in game 6 of the Finals, they’ll win by 40
I agree that doing a little situational running will help the cause and maybe get Rondo going a bit
this could be an interesting matchup for Powe/Baby – does height really matter?
Carl Landry
"Finally, they’re both bidding their time and improving before they sign nice contracts. "
… Landry signed a 3 year deal with Charlotte over the summer. Which Houston matched. I even think there’s a club option for a fourth year. Daryl Morey… not a dummy.
Great Point
I forgot about Landry’s new deal, partly because I never understood why he was a restricted free agent after his rookie year. But that was a great move for Houston. 3 million over the next 2 seasons and then a team option for the third year. You have to love how Charlotte does the dirty work for other teams. Last year it was Varejao. Thanks for the comment.
I respect Morey
and not just because he came from the Celtics front office
if you are going to use stats, use them right
Morey has had a very impressive start as the Rockets GM. He looks like a special one.
by Who on Nov 4, 2008 8:09 PM EST up reply actions
Houston just might be the deepest team in the league. They bring Head, Brooks, Landry, Battier, and Barry off the bench and just about each one of those guys could be the sixth man or starting on 25 of the 30 teams in the league.
When they get Deke back they’ll be even better. They need that extra legit big man …. Hayes and Landry leave them undersized too often.
by Who on Nov 4, 2008 8:11 PM EST up reply actions
funny line by Dwyer
On top of that, we have two gimpies (Ray Allen and Tracy McGrady) chasing each other around, with two burly wing beasts in Paul Pierce and Ron Artest set to do battle. Actual battle. With swords and shields and honor.
worth watching
McDyess might yet be a free agent
but I guess everyone assumes he’ll be going back to Detroit after a 30 day vacation
We could be .500
After tonight. The loss to Indy was the worst of KG’s career as a C.
by The Real Large James 2 on Nov 4, 2008 6:44 PM EST reply actions
what have you done for me lately?
sometimes this team is only as good as the last game – but yeah, we need to play better
Houston won’t roll over for anyone
We could also be .750
…its too early to worry about the World Champs yet.
Tonight will be a tough game for sure, and the Rockets will want to see how they stack up, plus they’ll have some extra motivation since the Cs broke their dumb streak last year.
on the road we are a slow starting team. we have a shot in this game but we need our A game on defense especially. we need ray,rondo and perk to give us something so that we’re not playing 2 on 5 offensively
just looked up the stats splits
last year Perkins and Rondo didn’t really have much worse numbers for Away games – maybe by a few percentage points, but not by much
so there goes that theory
I imagine their playoff stats/splits are worse on the road … but that’s probably true for most of the team.
by Who on Nov 4, 2008 8:12 PM EST up reply actions
grr
I wish I could watch this game. Living in Australia isn’t fun sometimes :(
Let’s go C’s!
Game is being broadcasted in tv here
But if it wasn’t I would go to JUSTINTV’s friend FURBY08 house.
Good start for the Celtics. They’re doing well on the backboards and getting some good looks inside.
Rondo
Rondo’s looking real agressive today. I wonder if him and Alston will have some type of rivalry going. He had a great pass to Pierce his ability to stick the ball in some tight space is really amazing.
Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...
Alston struggles with Rondo. Struggled badly against him last year in Boston.
by Who on Nov 4, 2008 9:09 PM EST up reply actions
I prefer Pierce in that second unit, he does more to help the bench players than Ray does.
Celtics getting to a lot of loose balls here. Good work.
agree
he can create his own shot when the offense breaks down – something he’s used to from years of playing with scrubs
I agree.
Pierce also does a better job of getting his teammates shots. Guys like Powe get easier opportunities when he’s on the floor.
It’d be great if the team could get more out of Ray Allen in that second unit but it hasn’t happened consistently enough for my linking.
by Who on Nov 4, 2008 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Why is Davis shooting so many jumpers to start the season? Most of them haven’t even been close to going in.
Brooks defended Rondo well last season. His efforts defensively are inconsistent though.
Drew the third foul on Yao too. BBD is playing well outside of these jumpers. Good effort inside.
by Who on Nov 4, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
Rockets have done well to work their way back into this one.
It was 40-25 just a few minutes ago with the Rockets unable to get anything near the paint. The insertion of Brooks has sparked their offense back into life.
all about confidence
the Rockets got on a roll and everything started clicking for them
now it is about which team can respond in the 2nd half
Defense?
Hard to say much defense was being played looking at the boxscore per quarter. Which is surprising since both teams are good defensive teams. I am sure it will pick up in the 2nd half.
Yao Ming played only 8 minutes in the first half.
Big advantage on the backboards for Boston, leading 27-19 and 12-4 on the offensive glass.
PERK!
Perk is making me so happy right. He’s looking like a star out there. Why can’t he play like this all the time.
Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...
Good win
Rockets still have some work to do. Offensively they lack fluidity to their play, which has been a problem for a long time. Defensively they can improve too, I think the return of Shane Battier will take care of that. Houston look promising though, they’re a legit contender.
Battier
he doesn’t solve all their problems, but he’s a big piece – not unlike Posey was for us last year
Take Tony Allen out of the game, Doc
Just in case…
Excellent Game
Everyone from the starting lineup contributed positively.
Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...
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