Payback Time

by Jeff Clark on Dec 21, 2009 6:48 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

Monday's practice report - Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

Starting with Tuesday's visit from Indiana, the Celtics play three of their next five games against opponents that beat them earlier this season (Pacers, Magic and Suns). Even on the heels of an 11-game winning streak (and with 12 wins in their last 13), do the Celtics have something to prove in this stretch? "I don't know about that statement stuff," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "If we win, yeah, we're making a statement. We want to beat them because they beat us. I hope that's in us. They beat us for a reason, though, they did something well against us, so we have to figure that out."

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no way

any of these teams beat the Cs twice in less then 2 months..

not gonna happen.. especially with the suns and pacers.. the magic will be a good test

by matthewmafa on Dec 21, 2009 11:18 PM EST reply actions

I expect the Celtics to go 3-0 in these three games. The Suns are clearly not as sharp as they were last month and we can still beat the Pacers as if they play their best game, as long as we do our things. We can handle the Magic if we play the perimeter better this time.

Having the 11-game streak snapped may not be a good thing. I always feel a long winning streak (10 or more) will become a burden, adding more pressure on the team. Streaks of 8 or 9 games are ideal. If we lose just one in every 10 games the rest of the way, we are in pretty good shape.

by getthat18now on Dec 22, 2009 4:40 AM EST reply actions

Oops -- I meant "may not be a bad thing"

by getthat18now on Dec 22, 2009 6:14 AM EST up reply actions

I'm expecting wins for these three games.

But I’m mostly focusing on the Orlando one. The Magic will be at full strength with Nelson back and the Celtics will look for revenge. Considering that we will be playing in Orlando and that we are very good on the road… I feel like we’re going to make a statement.

by Drucci on Dec 22, 2009 5:22 AM EST reply actions

win 3/5 next games

maybe worse….with losses to phoenix, and orlando. IMO..right now we aint better than Olando….they’re stacked…Phoenix will sucker da C’z into trading 3’s….not a winning formula. And only because granger aint playing due to injury….we will get so called payback….I’m not impressed with my squad right now. glen and marquis back only slows the bleeding. More bench acuisition neccessary…..21 and 5 is due to woopin on losing teams check the schedule—

malcontents....the lot of you

by dasandruler on Dec 22, 2009 7:16 AM EST reply actions

Ummm The Magic have a worse record, and are below .500 against teams above .500…althought they did beat us, that was during out visibly worst stretch of the season

by takeit on Dec 22, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

ummm no i dont believe in these statement games
Pacers wont have dannt granger and probably wont even make the playoffs, so who really cares?
Suns win with smoke and mirrors and we have 0 chance at ever seeing them again after the next game this season
Magic..more importrant game…eastern rival who has been better against us then anyone the last 2 seasons and will most likely see them in the playoffs again…would be nice to beat em

by takeit on Dec 22, 2009 8:26 AM EST reply actions