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Celtics Aim to Reclaim Home Court Advantage

Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic, May 8, 2009 7:00 PM EDT


gamethreadrd2 by celticsblog.
Boston Celtics (1-1,5-4)  at  Orlando Magic (1-1,5-3)
Round 2, Game3
Postseason game #10 Road Game #4
Friday, May 8
7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Pre/Post Game: CSN HD 7:00 PM ET, After the Game
Amway Arena   


Game Thread    l     Chat     

The Celtics come into Orlando with the series tied 1-1,  and need to pick up a game in Orlando to regain their home court advantage.   Game 3 could be their best chance to do so as the Magic will be without their starting point guard and their starting 2 guard is just coming back from injury.  

Anthony Johnson is expected to start at point guard and won't be able to match up with Rondo's speed.  But, with Courtney Lee expected back in the starting lineup, expect to see him guarding Rondo since he has the size and speed to stay with Rondo.  However,  Lee may not be 100% and also may be bothered by the face mask he will be required to wear.  Either way, if Rondo is aggressive and focused, he should be able to dominate this game once again.

The Celtics gained some momentum in game 2 as they played solid Celtics' defense throughout the game, got strong contributions from the bench and got back to moving the ball and finding the open man.  But, the best thing about game 2 could be the fact that Paul Pierce only played 15 minutes and should be well rested and ready to have a big game.

The Celtics need to remember what worked for them in game 2 and bring that same mindset and intensity to game 3.  They play best with their backs against the wall and they can consider themselves still there because they gave up home court advantage and must win in Orlando now to win the series.   If the Celtics come out focused,  play strong team defense,  and move the ball, they should come away with a win.

Today's Referees are

Scott Foster Joe DeRosa Leon Wood

Star-divide

Probable Starting Matchups

Point Guard
Rajon Rondo vs Anthony Johnson

  vs 

Shooting Guard

Ray Allen vs JJ Redick
[image] vs
[image]

Small Forward
Paul Pierce vs Hedo Turkoglu
[image] vs[image]

Power Forward 

Big Baby Davis vs Rashard Lewis
[image] vs [image]

Center

Kendrick Perkins vs Dwight Howard

  vs 


[image] Reserves
Stephon Marbury
Mikki Moore
Eddie House
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
JR Giddens
Brian Scalabrine
Tony Allen

Injured
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Leon Powe (knee) out

[image] Reserves
Courtney Lee
Tony Battie
Marcin Gortat
Adonal Foyle
Jeremy Richardson
Anthony Johnson
Mickael Pietrus
Tyronn Lue

Injured
Jameer Nelson (labrum) out
Courtney Lee (fractured sinus) probable

Suspended
Rafer Alston 

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Anthony Johnson
The key matchup in this series remains at point guard.   As we have seen from the 2 games so far,  when Rondo is aggressive  and uses his speed,  the Celtics play well.  When Rondo is sluggish and tentative,  so are the Celtics.   Rondo must continue to set the tone and be aggressive on both ends of the floor.  With Rafer Alston serving his one game suspension for smacking Eddie House, I am guessing that they will start Anthony Johnson who will have great difficulty staying with Rondo and so it is even more important that Rondo takes the initiative to dominate this matchup.  

[image] vs [image]
Kendrick Perkins vs Dwight Howard
Perk has played Howard very well in both games so far. In game 2 he was even more aggressive in going at Howard and kept him from getting comfortable near the basket. Perk held Howard to just 12 points on 5-13 shooting. Perk must continue to avoid foul trouble as much as possible and to continue to play strong defense in single coverage on Howard for the Celtics to win this series.

Honorable Mention
Every matchup continues to be important in this series

Paul Pierce vs Hedo Turkoglu
[image] vs[image]
Paul Pierce spent most of game 2 sitting on the bench in foul trouble and should be well rested for this game as well as motivated to help his team get the win. After Ray Allen sat out much of a game with foul trouble in Round 1, he came back the next game with 51 points. The Captain really hasn't played well yet in these playoffs and it would be a great time for him to break out with a Paul Pierce-like game.

Ray Allen vs Courtney Lee and JJ Redick
[image] vs [image] and
[image]
The Magic expect Lee to return for this game and is expected to be an upgrade over Reddick, even if he isn't 100% and will be wearing a protective face mask. Ray Allen got his bad shooting game out of the way in game 1 and came back with 22 points in game 2. Ray will need to shoot well and to go at Lee, especially if he isn't 100% after the injury.  Lee may spend much of his time  covering Rondo because he is much more athletic than Anthony Johnson, which would leave Johnson on Ray.  Either way, we have a mismatch at one of the positions. 

Big Baby Davis vs Rashard Lewis
[image] vs [image]
Lewis wasn't a factor in game 2 because between Big Baby and Scal, they never let him get comfortable and he was forced to put up tough shots and settle for jumpers that just weren't falling. A big key to winning game 3 will continue to be defending Lewis.

Bench vs Bench
[image] [image] [image] vs
[image] [image] [image]
After being ineffective for 6 games of the Bulls series, the Celtics bench is becoming a factor in this series. Scal's defense on Lewis and ability to to spread the floor and Eddie's sharp shooting along with aggressiveness from Marbury has given the Celtics' bench an edge in the 2 games so far. The Celtics need the bench to continue to contribute to allow the starters to get a rest. My favorite line from my local paper's coverage of last night's game was that Doc sent Pierce in to give Eddie House a rest. It would be nice to get a little something from Mikki Moore as well, but as long as Scal, House and Marbury continue to play this well, anything else would be icing on the cake.

Keys to the Game
Energy and Aggressiveness - The Celtics came out flat in game 1 and found themselves in a 28 point hole an played from behind the whole game. In Game 2, they came out with energy and were aggressive and never looked back. The Celtics can't afford another game where they lack focus and come out flat. They must come out with energy and hustly and be the aggressor from beginning to end.

Go Inside
In both games, the team that took the ball to the basket and scored in the paint was the team that won. The key for the Celtics in game 3 is to continue to go inside and get to the basket. They must avoid settling for jumpers. When they go to the basket, good things happen and they need to continue being aggressive in getting inside.

Ball Movement
The Celtics have to continue to move the ball and find the open man. When they make smart passes and keep the ball moving, it throws the Magic defense into disarray. In game 2, the Celtics had 34 assists on 41 baskets and when they move the ball like that, they are very difficult to beat. Hopefully they will remember this and not get stuck with too much dribbling and individual play in game 3.

Rebound
One of the biggest gauges of which team wants the game more is to look at the rebounding numbers. Rebounding takes effort and desire and 9 times out of 10, the team that crashes the boards and hustle for rebounds will the the team that is playing harder. The Celtics need to work on the offensive end to get themselves 2nd chance points and they must work on the defensive end to limit fast breaks and Magic put backs and baskets.

Defense
Defense wins championships. It is an old cliche, but a very true one. The Celtics mounted their comeback in game 1 because they stepped up the defense. They dominated game 2 because they got back to playing the kind of Celtics' defense that has made them successful. They must continue to make team defense a priority.

X-Factor
Focus on the Road
The Celtics lost home court advantage because of a lack of focus and energy in their first home game.  Perk called the team out and said that he felt that they lost because they weren't focused on the game.  Hopefully they learned from that loss.   They must come out in this game with focus and with a purpose in order to get their home court advantage back. They must keep their focus on defense and team play.


 

 

0 recs  |  Comment 61 comments |

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Leon Wood is officiating.

Don’t he and Doc clash? Hope Perk can stay away from him.

by PISTOL PETE on May 8, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Let's go Celtics!

I hope they win tonight to reclaim HCA and to take a 2-1 series lead which would put all the pressure on Orlando for game 4.

by Drucci on May 8, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Lee isn't starting, just a heads up.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 8, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks

Fixed it in the preview.

Perk and Powe... the Next Big Thing

by FLCeltsFan on May 8, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No problem. Happy to help.

I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.

"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

by erivera7 on May 8, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pierce is well rested

Look for a big game from #34…he`s basically been off since Monday, and he`ll want to come out strong after doing nothing in Game 2.

Put in Moore at the first sign of foul trouble for Perk.
Moore gives the C`s six more fouls to give, and it`s not like Orlando will go on some 36-2 run just because Mikki`s in there!

by Title 18 on May 8, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

"Paul Pierce should be well rested"

You don’t have to see him rest on the bench on TV to conclude that he will be well rested the next game. I really don’t think those 20 min less playing time two days ago will help anything.

by k lazy on May 8, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You don’t have to see him rest on the bench on TV to conclude that he got the rest. He rest every other day.

by k lazy on May 8, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ouch why does our offense look so unconfident right now, nobody wants to shoot the ball

by spinz on May 8, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

team just has to settle down

pass the ball around and don’t settle for a contested jump shot with nobody under the basket; they’re rebounding pretty well when someone’s under the basket

on D, it looks like they’re trying not to get early fouls, so they’re playing a bit soft; Rondo is conserving his energy and (unfortunately) letting V Johnson go by him; I hope this pays off late in the game

by KJR on May 8, 2009 7:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

guess the refs aren't going to call fouls on Howard tonight

the ass bump floored Rondo

on Marbury’s drive, they were backpedaling and sandwiched him

Howard is just sitting under the basket; got to keep taking it into him and passing to a big for a dunk

not a terrible 1st Q; no major foul trouble; no big deficit; keep it close at halftime and we have an excellent chance

need to keep composure; eliminate the dumb plays and let the Magic freak out

by KJR on May 8, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

put ball in eddies hands. pleaaase.

by spinz on May 8, 2009 7:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey

I don’t belong here, but I cheered for Celtics last year in Finals and after that last game I was on a plane to Las Vegas made ‘CELTICS’ out of pretzels the flight attendant lady gave me because I was so happy.

ANYWAY. I’m stuck at this: Theoretically speaking, would it be better for Celtics to beat Orlando and then get crushed really hard by LeBron or for Celtics to lose against Orlando?

obviously Championship is best. :)
and hopefully I don’t get kicked out of here.

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 8:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Even better.

Lakers and Celtics again though? :/

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What does HCA mean?

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh pshh, I deserve to be kicked out now.

Which team do most Celtics fans dislike more – Cavs or Lakers?

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no contest

Lakers — more history

by Hal Jordan on May 8, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lakers

IMO, if the finals is Cavs-Lakers, most C’s fans would support the Cavs

by nba is the worst on May 8, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh I see.

Who’s the most liked player on the Celtics?

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agree

He is the hottest Celtic – and should be on the court

by nba is the worst on May 8, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Completely different Magic team

A lot more inside play, as evidence by 56% FG. Gotta seal the paint

by nba is the worst on May 8, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

can we fire Doc midgame plz?

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on May 8, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

the last play tells you all you need to know

watching a rebound fall among 3 Celtics for several bounces and then get picked up by the Magic

the really slow development of the trap play from Allen to Perk to Davis; all of Davis’ missed layups

the team is just mentally completely out to lunch

no stopping the dribble penetration by Rondo; Johnson is outplaying Rondo

once again, we’re back to the level of effort in Bulls game 1

really disappointing that the team would be this flat

Doc needs a timeout and needs to start lighting a fire under them

by KJR on May 8, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

yes

that was horrible

by Hal Jordan on May 8, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yup

pretty much sums up this whole game, LOTS OF STANDING AROUND AND DOING A DAMN NOTHING

by C's09Champs on May 8, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no need for adjustments because the team isn't even playing

just tell them to play about 100% harder; don’t expect any calls; just win the game and quit feeling sorry for yourselves; man, this team needs a full time psychologist

by KJR on May 8, 2009 8:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't watch Celtics veerrry much

so I don’t know if they comeback much?

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh yes

They’ve come back from 24 against the Lakers to win game 4 in the finals, and got ack 25 in the loss to the Magic in Boston!

by nba is the worst on May 8, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

PP looked a lot faster on that last drive

why does it take him 3 Q’s to get warmed up?

why does BBD shoot that fallaway jumper?

why aren’t the C’s rotating around to make themselves available for a pass back out of the low post?

why did it take 3 Q’s to get active with the hands?

down by 20; I guess we have the Magic right where we want them

by KJR on May 8, 2009 9:00 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Eddie

Some life in these guys…

by Hal Jordan on May 8, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Now this is a game!

Come on Boston let’s get this win!

by illestmcsgt on May 8, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

game is very win-able

it all starts with D; stop the penetration, win the game

why didn’t Doc pick up full court all game; particularly with the Magic with 1 PG

maybe he’s picking his spots, just like the team, because they don’t have a deep bench and need to conserve energy and win at the finish; I don’t know; if they win, it’s all good

by KJR on May 8, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

9 point game!

Thanks for curing my ignorance, I’ll go watch now.

-Gabby

by ireallylikejerrydbayless on May 8, 2009 9:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

momentum shift!!!

Good stuff… collapse indeed!

by Hal Jordan on May 8, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

smart play by eddie

right in front of the ref!

by Hal Jordan on May 8, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

team is not playing good D

too much flopping

not stopping the drives

not making the extra pass

the game is very win-able; they just need to keep their composure, execute and find some energy

man this is frustrating; the game is there for the taking; step on the gas

by KJR on May 8, 2009 9:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

it all starts on D

move your feet, win the game, it’s really, really simple

when they play D, everyone scores

when they trade baskets, they rely on one guy, and they lose; they don’t have Bigs inside; they don’t have a deep bench

by KJR on May 8, 2009 9:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

stupid stupid plays

BBD has now missed about 6 layups and Rondo 1

no Dwight Howard; so why is the team sagging into the paint and leaving the 3 point shooters open - this is really stupid basketball

why didn’t Pierce get it going to the rim in the 1st half? he’s had about 10 FTs in the 2nd half

just like some of the Chicago games — embarrassing and frustrating and really no excuse; someone needs to find some composure and backbone

by KJR on May 8, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

horrible effort

the team was down 5 with 5 minutes in the 2nd Q and let the Magic close out the half by 12

the team was down 7 with 10 minutes left in the game and completely lost their composure and got blown out

I think they were trying to get back all the points on a single possession, instead of staying patient and trimming the lead one basket at a time

the Magic showed more energy

the C’s had phony hustle a lot of the game; that rebound dropping in between 3 players was disgusting

I still think they’ll win the series, but it’s like they want to stretch everything out and make it as hard as possible on themselves

it’s as if they can’t conceive of winning without KG, so everything has to be a monumental struggle

they’re their own worst enemies; the only barriers are mental; when they get their heads in the right place, they play well

I hope they’re disgusted with this effort, and they come back in a couple days with focus

by KJR on May 8, 2009 9:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

as long as doc is here

we’re not going to do anything. we got lucky last year because of so much talent, he tried to eff it up, but talent prevailed. I’m ready for him to go…

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on May 8, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for your support...

to quote frank and ed…

Doc has been a solid coach, very well prepared, very well liked by his players, and when the talent arrived his prep paid off, he is dedicated to defense and that has carried us this far…
I don’t know what you know about coaching but you are ridiculous with that “we got lucky last year, because of talent, doc tried to eff it up” line…

by jyrecelts on May 8, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Celts don't get suspensions

As we’ve seen…

cordobes, are you predicting Howard will elbow someone in game 5?

by nba is the worst on May 9, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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