Celtics Go for First Sweep of Sixers since '95-'96

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on Mar 24, 2008 12:09 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Philadelphia 76ers (35-35) at Boston Celtics (55-14)
Monday, March 24
7:30 PM ET
Game #70, Home Game #34
TV: NBA-TV, CSNHD, CSN
Sirius 123
TD Banknorth Garden

Chat l Game Thread

Sixers Coverage: Passion and Pride

The Celtics are coming home to face a hot Sixer team that has won 8 of it's last 10 games and is coming off a big win over the Nets. The Celtics are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Hornets that ended their tough road trip. The Celtics have won the first 3 games against Philly this season and are looking for a sweep of the Sixers for the first time since the 1995-96 season and only the second Sixers sweep in Celtics history.

The Celtics are 29-5 at home and the Sixers are 15-20 on the road. Both teams are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Celtics are coming off a tough loss to the Hornets while the Sixers are coming off a big win against the Nets. The Celtics are 12-1 against Atlantic division opponents while the Sixers are 5-9 in the division.

The first game after a tough road trip can be a trap game as teams experience a let down but the Celtics have avoided this trap after their first two trips and hopefully will be able to do the same after this one. The Celtics are motivated to continue their momentum toward the playoffs and to bounce back after the loss to the Hornets. They are also still fighting to secure home court for the playoffs. The Sixers are motivated to avoid the sweep and to avenge the first three losses. They are also fighting for playoff position and are currently in the seventh spot.

More After the Jump

Probable Starting Matchups

PG: Rajon Rondo vs Andre Miller

SG: Ray Allen vs Willie Green

SF: Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala

PF: Kevin Garnett vs Reggie Evans

C: Kendrick Perkins vs Samuel Iguodala

Key Matchups

Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala

Iguodala is their best player and it will be up to Pierce to contain him. Making him work on the defensive end could help to get him into foul trouble.

Kendrick Perkins vs Samuel Dalembert

Perk needs to keep Dalembert off the boards as well as limiting his effectiveness in the paint.

Honorable Mention

KG vs Reggie Evans
KG has a height advantage and should look to exploit that.

Keys to the Game

Take Care of the Ball The Celtics literally gave the game away against the Hornets by turning the ball over 20 times. The Celtics have to take care of the ball, avoid careless passes and focus on taking better care of the basketball.

Defense The Celtics have built their record on their tough defense. The let down against the Hornets in the second half, allowing them to shoot 51% from the field and letting them get back in the game and win it. When they Celtics commit to defense they are very hard to beat.

Play 48 Minutes The Celtics dominated the Hornets in the first half of their game, but let up in the second half. The Celtics need to get off to a quick start and play aggressively for 48 minutes.

Rebound The Sixers have out rebounded their opponents in 8 of their last 10 games. The Celtics have to crash the boards and limit the Sixers second chance points.

X-Factor

Home court advantage vs trap game

The Celtics will be coming home after a tough but successful road trip. Often the first game home after a trip will be a trap game in which the home team has a let down. The Celtics need to make home court advantage work for them to avoid the trap.

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Comments

lol… 95/96… weren’t we really bad that year?

But yes, Philadelphia was much worse.

*TANKING FOR IVERSON*

by TradeProposalDude on Mar 24, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

Great job as always, FL.

by CelticBalla32 on Mar 24, 2008 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

not good to disrespect your opponent. I don’t like where this game is going right now

by Red2 on Mar 24, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

Tommy quote from tonight ‘’The Celtics were playing attack basketball until they picked up PJ and Sam. With Sam in the game he slows everyone down. He seems to not understand what we have been doing’’.

This has been my point from the beginning! Sam has disrupted this teams flow. The more that Doc tries to insert Sam into the game, the slower and worse we play. No question he doesn’t get all the blame, as the starters were absolutely terrible in the last 7-8 minutes, but sticking with that lineup until the game was even again was a terrible mistake by Doc. They were then cold from sitting so long and couldn’t turn it back on. We don’t need to start losing games. Especially on our own floor against a bad team.

Doc gets a big negative for not demanding they go to the basket there at the end, although Gorman or Tommy mentioned he heard Doc yelling at them to go to the hole. Stop taking jumpers. They didn’t listen and gave that up!

It isn’t too late C’s. Bench Sam. Bench TA. (Another horrible night of garbage from him) Sit BBD until next year. Powe should get every one of those minutes. Get our attack mentality back so we can go into the playoffs on a run. Literally!

by EJPLAYA on Mar 24, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions