Celtics Aim for 4-0 as Chris Paul and the Hornets Visit the Garden
by Greg Payne on Nov 1, 2009 3:01 PM EST
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New Orleans Hornets at Boston Celtics, Nov 1, 2009 6:00 PM EST
The Celtics have mixed a very profitable blend of overwhelming defense and red-hot offense to propel themselves to a 3-0 start, while the Hornets have struggled somewhat in their first two games, losing to the San Antonio Spurs by 17 in their season opener and squeaking by the Sacramento Kings by five on Friday.
The Hornets' most notable offseason move was shipping center Tyson Chandler to Charlotte for center and former UConn star Emeka Okafor. That move was met with some criticism, but Okafor put up 11 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked four shots against Sacramento, to help steady any negative opinions of him.
The talk of the town centers around Rajon Rondo and his matchup with Hornets point guard Chris Paul. Both are coming off of impressive games, but for different statistical reasons. Rondo dished out 16 assists in a Celtics win against the Bulls on Friday, while Paul scored 31 points on only 14 shots against the Kings. Rondo's current 37-5 assist to turnover ratio speaks volumes of his improved on-court decision making, but with defense always being the key for Boston, Rondo's number one objective tonight will be trying to contain Paul.
Rondo's defense fit the bill on Friday as he held Chicago point guard Derrick Rose to just 10 points, two assists and no rebounds in 24 minutes of action. The Celtics would be thrilled with a similar line from Paul in this contest.
The Celtics also welcome back Hornets forward James Posey, who played a crucial role on the 2008 championship squad.
Projected Starters:
Celtics: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins
Hornets: Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Julian Wright, David West, Emeka Okafor
Health Check: For the Celtics, guard Tony Allen (ankle), forward Bill Walker (knee) and forward Glen Davis (thumb) are out. Brian Scalabrine (ankle) is questionable.
For the Hornets forward Ike Diogu (knee) is questionable.
Keep it in Mind: The Hornets have not won in Boston since the 2006-2007 campaign.
Who's Hot: For the Celtics, Paul Pierce shot 8-12 (5-7 from three-point nation) en route to 22 points against the Bulls. 20 of those points came in the third quarter alone.
For the Hornets, Chris Paul shot 8-14 from the field and 14-15 from the free throw line and finished with 31 points against the Kings on Friday night.
Who's Not: For the Celtics, Rasheed Wallace was only 2-9 for seven points against Chicago.
For the Hornets, Peja Stojakovich is coming off of a 3-9, 10-point performance against Sacramento.
Key Matchup: Rajon Rondo vs. Chris Paul
Honorable Mention: Kevin Garnett vs. David West and Kendrick Perkins vs. Emeka Okafor
Skinny: The Celtics have favorable matchups at the shooting guard spot (Ray Allen vs. Morris Peterson), the small forward position (Paul Pierce vs. Julian Wright) and the power forward spot (Kevin Garnett vs. David West), but the one matchup that will be magnified will of course be Rondo vs. Paul. If Rondo can contain Paul, New Orleans' entire offense will stagnate and they are not yet a good enough defensive team to make amends on the opposite side of the ball.
If the Celtics can effectively move on the ball on offense and exploit certain matchups, they should be heading to Philadelphia on Tuesday with a 4-0 record.
Keep an eye on the Kendrick Perkins - Emeka Okafor matchup, as both are strictly interior players who have a strong knack for the ball. The rebounding battle between these two will be something to watch tonight.
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“The Hornets’ most notable offseason move was shipping center Tyson Chandler to Charlotte for center and former UConn star Emeka Okafor. That move was met with some criticism,”
Wait, really?
Honestly, I think that was the worst move MJ has made as GM of the Bobcats, and that really is saying something. That trade was a no brainer for the Hornets.
by UCowned3 on Nov 1, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tyson Chandler fit in well with NO's system
And was basically Chris Paul’s best friend…Many people questioned the Hornets’ motives behind the move and felt that they took a step back defensively.
by Greg Payne on Nov 1, 2009 4:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Although in 2 games this year, Okafor has been more than worth it
This will be a tough one for us to pull out, you guys look real sharp to start the season.
by atthehive on Nov 1, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah Okafor has been impressive
I’m really excited to watch him and Perk battle tonight. I think Okafor will block at least two shots tonight.
by Greg Payne on Nov 1, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Step back defensively? Okafor is significantly more advance defensively than offensively, and based on what I’ve seen I highly doubt he’s a step down from Tyson Chandler (some may even argue that he’s actually an improvement). And anyone who can hit layups semi-regularly – which Okafor can do – is automatically a better offensive player than Chandler.
It’s cute that Paul and Chandler were “best friends,” but if I’m trying to put together a winning team I’ll take the player who’s noticeably better every time. On top of that, Okafor isn’t some big, lumbering big man…he’s a pretty solid athlete himself for a guy his size, and he should fit in fine with New Orleans’ system.
by UCowned3 on Nov 1, 2009 4:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying they took a step back defensively
I just read many excerpts that were written after the trade that thought the Hornets took a step back, hence why I wrote, “that move was met with some criticism”. It wasn’t my personal criticism, it was criticism was other media outlets and Hornets players. Overall, I think Okafor is a better player than Chandler.
by Greg Payne on Nov 1, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Notes and quotes
-Rondo focused on season, not on contract. Didn’t seem that there was any progress in contract talks. The way he looks at it, hes going to be on a team next year somewhere.
-When asked how confident he was about remaining a Celtic, Rondo responded by saying, "I don’t know, it’s a business. I want to be here but you never know what’s going to happen."
Rondo on where he thinks he ranks with PG’s in league; "Top one. I’m like one-ish, one and a half-ish. I believe I’m one of the best I do, that’s it. That’s how I play. I work out and work as hard as I can to be the best.
-Scal playing tonight, says the ankle is better and he will be looking out for camera men
-Baby was out on the court hoisting left handed shots for a while before the game.
Doc on Pierce:
"He’s got to be one of the top rebounding small forwards in the league that I’ve known. The game in Cleveland in my opinion he won it for us with his rebound. He had a rebound over Verajao that most fives couldn’t get."
Doc on Shelden:
"He’s playing his role really, with us. I was telling a guy earlier, I really believe that’s the case for him where He’s gone they’ve expected him to do more than what he may have been capable of and here we really work on and talk to him everyday about staying within your role, within the roles and confines of what we need from the team. He’s a pick and pop player, and can be a terrific rebounder. He does not need to be the star- he just needs to be what he is for us. If he does that he’ll play great, and he’s doing that.
by jimmyt on Nov 1, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like anything...
That makes CP3 unhappy in New orleans. Increases the likelihood of a Rondo/baby/picks for CP3 panic trade if NO is afraid CP3 will walk away after his deal!
by Fan from VT on Nov 1, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hey is anyone trying to catch the game on NBA TV, I got a blacked out screen…
by Patrick3445 on Nov 1, 2009 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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