Celtics Look to Start New Win Streak Against Memphis
by Greg Payne on Mar 10, 2010 3:30 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Games
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PrintMemphis Grizzlies at Boston Celtics, Mar 10, 2010 7:30 PM EST
Boston Celtics (40-22) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (33-31)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
7:30pm
TV: Comcast SportsNet; Radio: WEEI
Venue: TD Garden
The Boston Celtics, fresh off a disappointing loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last night, look to get back to their winning ways against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at 7:30pm.
The Celtics fell, 86-84, at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks last night, as Paul Pierce shot just 3-13 from the field and Ray Allen only managed to take three shots. The C's had been on a modest four-game winning streak, and will look to start a new one tonight against an upstart Memphis Grizzlies squad.
Memphis sports one of the best young rosters in the NBA, with proven guys like Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and Marc Gasol all serving as integral parts to the team's fair amount of success this season. The Grizzlies were in the playoff picture the first time these two teams met in Memphis back on December 14 (remember Ray's three-pointer with 17.5 seconds left off the broken Pierce-Kevin Garnett pick-and-roll play?), but now reside four games behind eighth place Portland.
Nevertheless, if the Celtics are susceptible to any specific type of team, it's certainly the young, athletic, and feisty ones that pose the most problems. Unfortunately for Boston tonight, Memphis fits that bill practically better than anyone. While Memphis might not preach defense (the Grizz are allowing 102.81 points per game) they're more than capable of getting out on the break and creating easy transition buckets for guys like Gay and Mayo - their athletic wing players.
All-Star Zach Randolph is listed as questionable for tonight's game, after missing Monday's game against the Nets with "lower back tightness". If he does play, however, his bulk could prove troublesome for Kevin Garnett, who will also have to be extra aggressive on the boards, as Randolph rips down 11.8 rebounds per game - good for second in the entire league.
Projected Starters:
Celtics: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins
Grizzlies: Mike Conley Jr., O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph
Health Check: The Celtics are healthy.
For the Grizzlies, guard Ronnie Brewer (hamstring) is listed as doubtful, while center Steven Hunter (knee) and forward Zach Randolph (back) are listed as questionable.
Keep It In Mind: Kendrick Perkins has not recorded double-digit rebounds in a game since February 18.
Who's Hot: For the Celtics, Rajon Rondo scored 20 points on 6-10 shooting last night against the Bucks.
For the Grizzlies, Mike Conley scored 21 points on 9-18 shooting against the Nets on Monday.
Who's Not: For the Celtics, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen shot a combined 3-16 against the Bucks last night.
For the Grizzlies, O.J. Mayo shot just 2-8 and finished with eight points in 40 minutes against the Nets on Monday.
Key Matchup: Ray Allen vs. O.J. Mayo
Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce vs. Rudy Gay
Skinny: O.J. Mayo should get the defensive assignment on Ray Allen tonight, and he sticks to screens the way used gum sticks to the undersides of school desks. Ray should have no problem skirting around the court and finding openings for shots, meaning the Celtics' offense might flow primarily through him tonight. Paul Pierce's job starts on the defensive end tonight, as Rudy Gay's a 20-plus point kind of scorer who needs to be held in check. On the other end, despite Gay's lackluster defensive reputation, Pierce could struggle against his quickness and superior athleticism.
The starting five need to lock in on defense early, in an effort to slow down Memphis' fast-paced offense before it has the chance to shift into high gear. On top of that, both Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol need to be kept off the glass, particularly on the offensive end. Randolph and Gasol combine to average over seven offensive rebounds per game, and the C's need to be ready to match the energy Memphis' inside tandem are sure to bring.
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We might hear some booing before the night is over...
MEMPHIS :
Playing .590 ball since mid-Dec…Seeking respect with a win in Boston…Lots of young legs {Gay, Mayo, Conley, Gasol}
CELTS :
Playing second night in a row.
why?
nothing about finley and his 5-points last night =
celtics 94
memphis 87
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
If you think Offensive Rebounds are more important than Transition D
then here is the tally sheet…..Offensive Rebounds per each minute played (lowest to Highest) Offensive rebounds divided by Total Minutes Played
Paul Pierce = .01 (Grabs .01 offensive rebound for each minute played)
Scalabrine = .02
Ray Allen = .02
Rasheed Wallace = .02
Marquis aniels = .03
Rajon Rondo = .03
KG = .04
Tony Allen = .06
Perk = .07
Sherwin = .08
Glen Davis = .12
Our Big Men need to hit the offensive glass!!!!….just stay with your man and IF they are on our boards then you should be there with them trying to get an offensive board and put back….instead of just hanging out on the dang perimeter!!!!!
We are LAST PLACE IN THE LEAGUE ON OFFENSOVE REBOUNDS!!!
Is it Soup Yet?
I know that we can beat any team in this league in a game,I haven’t lost faith ,I was sceptical to begin this season and have been shown anything to let me know otherwise that we will be able to withstand a 7 game playoff series against the hawks,the cavs,nor the magic .This is my team thru and thru but I really in my heart know we got 17 and should be thankful for that now we are a tough beat,we won’t win a big playoff series this year but we will be the hardest team to beat if that makes any sence.I’m really concerned how we go forward just seems to me that we are done for the next few years unless danny can pull off some moves,but who wants Kg’s contract,who wants Pauls contract not to mention him in another uniform uggg,I’m resolved that we have some average to bad basketball ahead of us for the next couple
by reggie_35 on Mar 10, 2010 6:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Celtics are going to make a statement tonight
they are so sick of the talk.
this team is ready to explode.
No, It's Imploding
As Bette Davis said, old age isn’t for sissies.
The Celtics are like a middle aged woman. They’re still hot, but it comes in flashes now.
The fans are quiet -
I’m most interested in seeing how KG does after the double double last night – but think the game will be a loss
by nba is the worst on Mar 10, 2010 7:42 PM EST reply actions
we have to be the worst rebounding team ever (sarcasm) - just how i feel right now
were losing 20 to 9 in the rebound game half way throught the 2nd, that sums it up.
if i were coach i would want my team to win the rebounding game 1st and foremost then let everything else fall into place
rebounding makes everything else better
I love to watch a good rebounding team, it seems like when a team is rebounding well then everything else falls into place. its the totally opposite of the one and done mentality were you have so much pressure to make the shot because if you dont , the other team has the ball and can add to their lead, so you shoot timidly and dont let it flow naturally.
When you know your team is hitting the offensive board , a miss isnt the end , you might have at least one more shot at it,in turn that relieves pressure on the shooter and the shots fall , if not hey we will probably get a 2nd or 3rd shot so its a win win which builds confidence
I am sick of this!
There all out of sync and while Rondo is playing with to much arrogance, everyone else is playing to passive.
Doc has no sense of a rotation nor any sense of respect to his team or the players.
This may be the worst coached game I have ever seen.
At some point as a coach, you got to sit your arrogance. and play the passive.
At some point you also got to sit the playful, and play the Graceful.
Doc as the coach, Danny Ainge as the GM and the Team Captain Paul Pierce have a responsibility to this team.
Rondo needs to be more trustful in his team, on both sides of the court.
This is a Team Game and not a 1 man show!
Rondo really?
Rondo isn’t perfect by any stretch but he is getting the guys who need their shots good looks. KG blowing layups ans Ray and Paul both missing open shots is the problem.
I wish the whole team played with Rajon’s arrogance.
by reebbertxx2001 on Mar 10, 2010 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
6 missed free throws, where is the concentration
We are down 14 rebounds at the half which translates to 22 points down at the half.
14 rebounds is huge, thats 14 possesions less that we can shoot and score, no wonder why Ray only had 3 shots in 37+ minutes last night and PP only has 1 shot in the entire 1st half. Im amazed or dumfounded this team doesnt take rebounding serious.
rebounds are not the problem. That's too simple. The rebound numbers are just a symptom.
Just plain completely lousy play is the problem.
This is a total lack of effort in all phases.
No defensive effort whatsoever. No passing or movement on offense. When they do move the ball, they fumble it away. When they shoot, they miss.
EVERYthing is off.
This was
The most disgusting display of basketball iv’e seen the Celtics play in a long time. Sure pre KG and Ray days the C’s used to get smashed a lot but at least the tried which is more than I can say for tonight’s Celtic squad.
by Scal4theallstargame on Mar 10, 2010 9:58 PM EST reply actions
All true
As Brick, vinnie and I have been sayiing for awhile now. It really shows in these B2Bs – Pierce and KG just don’t have the speed anymore – the defense across the middle out past the arc is crap, and Delfino, Mayo , and Conley are therefore hitting unguarded threes
by nba is the worst on Mar 10, 2010 10:21 PM EST reply actions
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