Celtics Battle Streaking Magic
by Greg Payne on Nov 20, 2009 3:26 PM EST
in Games
10 comments
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics, Nov 20, 2009 8:00 PM EST
Boston Celtics (9-3) vs. Orlando Magic (9-3)
Friday, November 20, 2009
8:00pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet; ESPN; Radio: 850 AM WEEI
Projected Starters:
Celtics: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins
Magic: Jason Williams, Mickael Pietrus, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard
Health Check: For the Celtics, Glen Davis (thumb) and Tony Allen (ankle) are out.
For the Magic, Jameer Nelson (knee) and Adonal Foyle (knee) are out, while J.J. Redick (ankle) and Marcin Gortat (illness) are listed as day-to-day.
Keep It In Mind: In all three of the Magic's losses this season, they've been outrebounded by their opponent.
Who's Hot: For the Celtics, Paul Pierce scored 19 points on 7-12 shooting against the Warriors on Wednesday.
For the Magic, Rashard Lewis scored 17 points in his second game back from suspension in a win over the Thunder on Wednesday.
Who's Not: For Boston, Rasheed Wallace shot just 3-8 from the field for eight points against the Warriors on Wednesday in 16 minutes.
For Orlando, Ryan Anderson was just 4-11 from the field against the Thunder on Wednesday.
Key Matchup: Kendrick Perkins vs. Dwight Howard
Honorable Mention: Rajon Rondo vs. Jason Williams and Kevin Garnett vs. Rashard Lewis
Skinny: This game serves as something of a check point for two teams who aim to compete for this season's championship, as both squads have suffered losses this year that have raised eyebrows.
This game features a slew of interesting matchups, starting in the middle, as Kendrick Perkins will certainly have his hands full with All-NBA center Dwight Howard. Perkins of course made headlines in last year's postseason, by playing terrific defense on Howard throughout the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The rebounding battle will be pivotal between these two, as the Celtics have experienced plenty of woes of their own on the glass this season and the Magic have yet to win a game in which they've been outrebounded by their opponent.
With Jameer Nelson out, it will be interesting to see if Rajon Rondo can exploit his matchup with Jason Williams. An aggressive start from Rondo would be beneficial to the Celtics, as his slicing through the lane could open up space for Perkins to put in easy baskets, or cause the Magic's defense to cave, opening up room on the perimeter for shooters like Ray Allen or Paul Pierce.
Kevin Garnett will have his hands full with the versatile Rashard Lewis who will more than likely pull Garnett out of the paint as far as the three-point line. This matchup could also hurt the Celtics' rebounding numbers, if Garnett is unable to consistently stay in the paint to help pull down Orlando's missed shots.
The second units going head to head tonight could be just as interesting as the starters duking it out, with legitimate players and matchups at almost every position. How will Marquis Daniels fair against Matt Barnes? Who will win the rebounding battle between Shelden Williams and Brandon Bass? Who will cover Ryan Anderson, who's actually turned into a legitimate NBA shooter?
We'll find out at 8:00pm tonight.
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Need a win!
We need a win! Go get ’em Celtics!!!
by funkstarrdeluxe on Nov 20, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Rebounds
How many minutes will Wallace have to play tonight to get a rebound?
by Celtsfansince55 on Nov 20, 2009 3:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
ouch
hammer don’t hurt em!
"Take it to the hoop, there's a dance involved." - DJ Tommy
by WillyBeamin on Nov 20, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm expecting
from Doc’s comments that he will put ’Sheed in the paint on offense more tonight. So that might help with an offensive board or two.
However, like the story says for KG – if/when ‘Sheed is guarding Lewis, he’ll also be pulled out of the paint, which would lessen his chance at defensive boards.
If we let them play ‘Magic-style’ then the only guys in the paint will be Howard and Perkins. Most teams lose that battle. If Perk is on his game and can counter Howard, then we can beat them because the C’s are strong at perimeter defense as well as having a good inside-outside game.
If Perk isn’t on his ‘A’ game, then the Celtics need to dictate the way the game is played. On defense, they need to get IN Rashard Lewis’ face and force him to come to the basket and when he does we need bodies in the paint and arms in all the passing lanes to disrupt the outlet pass. On offense the Celtics need to basically use their superior big man numbers to push/pull open the lanes and Rondo, Daniels & Pierce need to attack attack attack and keep the inside/outside offense going.
I know that Shelden won’t be expected to matchup against Howard – Perk will get the bulk of the minutes against Superman – but I’m sure their will be at least a few minutes where both Howard and Williams will be in there battling. It will be interesting to compare their raw athleticism.
by mmmmm on Nov 20, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Baby usually plays Howard pretty well
I’m curious to see how Shelden will fair in that area
by Greg Payne on Nov 20, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Big game. I mean, it’s November, so it’s not that big. But… big game.
by Vic De Zen on Nov 20, 2009 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Who expected this after 12 games?
Celtics : 455 Total Rebounds
Opponents : 455 Total Rebounds
by Title 18 on Nov 20, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lol
Paul is losing the handle in that pic
by PierceMVP08 on Nov 20, 2009 6:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lock down
Greg great set-up…Rondo should lock down J Will..if he does..it forces Lewis to play point foward and then they become a jump shooting team …and as “mmmmm” (interesting name) said we need to attack..
by Fastbreak1 on Nov 20, 2009 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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