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Pierce Unlikely, Pavlovic To Start

As expected, Pierce is still unlikely to play on Christmas.

Green Street " Pavlovic Ready to Fill Starting Role for Injured Pierce

Friday after practice, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said team captain Paul Pierce is unlikely to play on Sunday’s opening day match-up against the Knicks. According to Rivers even if trainer Ed Lacerte clears him to play, Pierce will not be in the starting lineup and will only log about 15-20 minutes in the contest. Rivers said the void left by Pierce’s nagging right-heel injury will be filled, most likely, by ninth-year veteran, Sasha Pavlovic.

The thinking with starting Sasha is to keep Marquis Daniels with the 2nd unit.

Rivers left the possibility of starting Marquis Daniels open, but felt the second unit needed to gain continuity going into the season. "I'd love to keep the second unit in tact," Rivers said. "[The second unit] really feel each other, and I think Marquis really helps."

This is a tactic Rivers seems fond of. Some will remember when Doc had Scalabrine starting in place of Kevin Garnett a couple years back.

In related news, Devin Ebanks and Josh McRoberts will start for the LA Lakers on Sunday. So we're not the only ones.

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Makes sens also for anotehr reason

Start Daniels and he gets inot immediate fould trouble guarding anthony. then you are really stuck with Sasha.

by Surferdad on Dec 23, 2011 10:19 PM EST reply actions  

yeah

Plus in this one case, Sasha is probably a better defensive matchup given size and Melo’s post up game.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Dec 24, 2011 1:08 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

the irony is

That during that stretch, Scal actually played very well. It was a smart move by Doc at the time.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Dec 24, 2011 1:10 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions  

he did actually

it was a very good move by Doc at the time and I agree with it again

both Scal (then) and Sasha (now) benefit from playing with the first unit – it hides them better and allows them to do the little things they do well without the burden of having to help out the 2nd unit

Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark

by Jeff Clark on Dec 24, 2011 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Danny and Doc might want to consider looking for back PG at a cheap price. I’m not sold Avery Bradley backing up Rondo. Bradley plays good defense, but offensively he’s kind of a liability. Also, Danny Ainge might want to make a strong push at Mikal Pietres and add another back up big man with experience.

I don’t like idea of Bradley backing up Rondo or Ray especially if Doc is gonna rest starters on back to backs. I think the rookie Moore is a better complete player than Bradley.

by C'sFanfrmNy on Dec 23, 2011 10:42 PM EST reply actions  

Dooling is Rondo's backup, not AB.

.
Doc is on record saying AB is moving over to the 2-spot. I liked seeing Moore acting like the PG in the last pre-season game, maybe he will get some more time there as the season goes on.

by GetYourSoxOn on Dec 24, 2011 8:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Dooling is the back up pg?

Bradley doesn’t even really play point guard at the moment. He guards the point guard on offense then plays SG on defense. He’s always going to play with probably Rondo in the game or Dooling so he doesn’t have to worry about bringing up the ball. They did that last year with delonte

by OFWG1554 on Dec 23, 2011 11:14 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions  

I’ve waited years to finally see my Celtics play. I am from Australia and have just moved to California. I am flying to NY tomorrow specifically so I could see the season opener, and I won’t get to see my captain start….

Good. Stay healthy Paul.

:)

by itsgabriel on Dec 23, 2011 11:21 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Wow

What a bittersweet moment I’m sure.

In any case enjoy the game and Go Celtics!

by StarzNBarz on Dec 24, 2011 2:06 AM EST up reply actions  

Enjoy the season opener fellow Australian :)

"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."

by IsItTheShoes on Dec 24, 2011 12:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Pavlovic on Anthony

Yes, better than than burn Daniels too fast. Plus Pav does have some square size for D on Anthony. Doc needs to get in his head to get in the offense flow and not stand on wing.

by Wildblu1 on Dec 24, 2011 8:26 AM EST reply actions  

+1

Pav size, muscle and defensive skills that can be very tough and thug like sometimes will be nice to throw at Anthony.

It would be nice to see Pav get more involved with the offense (he was a bit shy last year to get involved).
In addition to him having to get more aggressive his team mates (especially Rondo) need to look for him also and get him more involved in the offense to allow Pav to utilize not only his perimeter jumper, but also his slashing and driving to the basket scoring skills.

by fordescort on Dec 24, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions  

I would not put it pass Pierce ...

since he is such a competitor and I assume he would hate to miss such a big game, that he does not find a way to play in this game if it is at all possible health wise.

But if he does not play , I think its a wise move by Doc to start Pav and have Daniels come off the bench.

Daniels has a history of coming off the bench so can add some sort of calm to the 2nd unit even if he is playing with a bunch of new teamates this given year.
It will also allow him to avoid being matched up against Anthony as often , since he lacks the bulk to match up with him effectively.

Starting Pav is smart in this particular game as he is built to play in such a game.

This game will be tough and physical and considering Anthony is a big, strong small forward, Pavs, muscle, size and physical style of play will be great to throw at Anthony and the Knicks.

Hopefully Pav who is a good defender can bang Anthony around and either knock him off his game or slow him down a bit.

by fordescort on Dec 24, 2011 9:09 AM EST reply actions  

I'd love to see him

come in in the 4th quarter and hit the winning shot with Amare in his face

by Daveonthecape on Dec 24, 2011 12:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

+1

Yea that would be quite a scene if we saw Pierce come in the 4th and hit a game winner in Amare or even Anthony’s face.

Pierce coming into the game like that would give the Madison Square Garden crowd (of all places) a Willis Reed type moment, but in the C’s favor…lol.

by fordescort on Dec 24, 2011 2:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Agree That Sash Should Start

But, think about this. Mello isn’t the best defender in the world. Marquis could score on him and make him move around alot if he does decide to guard him. As to defending him, footwork is important and Quis has that.

But with that said I like Marquis coming off the bench. Last year starting bench players for injured starters killed us because it destroyed the bench. I think it is more important to keep the bench and rotations in place as opposed to starting the better player; i.e., Quis over Sash. I also think that one day Sash will start hitting those shots. He’s never had a real chance in our system in game situations.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn

by TrueGreen on Dec 24, 2011 9:40 AM EST reply actions  

1.merry christmas and happy holidays to all celtic bloggers and their families and to jeff and his fine staff.2. let’s have a great new year for the team in green and above all, good health. 3. as last year, stay on your toes, eddie lacerte.

by nazzbo on Dec 24, 2011 10:16 AM EST reply actions  

Sasha is starting only by default.

Never good when Sasha starts. I don’t find him a good defender and he is an offensive offensive player. I hope we sign Pietrus and relegate him to the pine. I also hope we sign Eddie House and relegate Bradley to the bench as well.

Only reason Quisy is not starting is they need his production for the second unit. He is a much better player than Sasha. BTW, my money would be Amare blocking that fourth quarter shot not him swishing it. He was 1-4 against Toronto even and they do not have a good SF.

I will be rooting for him because he wears the Green. But we will be playing three on five unless Rondo is hitting today with Pavlovic starting.

by Darren Long on Dec 24, 2011 1:48 PM EST reply actions  

Mmmmmhhhhhhh...

Sasha and Marquis can’t stop Melo…we must be honestly!!

by AleMenardi on Dec 25, 2011 1:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions  

Sasha killed us

15 minutes and zero points. Sasha is a fringe NBA player at best.

by Darren Long on Dec 27, 2011 6:08 PM EST reply actions  

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