Celtics Look to Bounce Back vs Nets
by FLCeltsFan on Nov 7, 2009 3:30 PM EST
in Games
6 comments
(6-1) 
at 
(0-6)
Boston Celtics (6-1) at New Jersey Nets (0-6)
Saturday, November 7
7:30 PM ET
Game #8 Away Game #4
TV: CSN HD, YES HD, LP 751, 752
Izod Center
Referees: Mark Wunderlich, Joe Forte, Eli Roe
Game Thread l Chat
The Nets are traditional rivals of the Celtics as we think back to the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals where the Nets defeated the Celtics in a hotly contested 6 game series. The Nets have fallen on hard times and this season are just marking time until they can make a play for LeBron or some other big free agent in 2010. Their ownership and even location are up in the air at this point and that can't make for a very stable club.
Both teams are playing in the second of back to back games and both teams had to travel the night before. New Jersey played at Philly and Boston played the Suns at home. However, older legs have a harder time in back to back games. If the Wolves game was any indication, this may be closer than it should be. The Nets, however have been depleted by injuries and so have just 9 players available.
The Nets are still winless after a 3 point loss to Philly on Friday. The Celtics are no longer undefeated after their loss to Phoenix and now they can get on with the rest of the season without worrying about staying undefeated. . The Celtics defense has slipped in the last two games, allowing both the Wolves and Suns to shoot over 50%. They need to get back to their commitment to defense. and the winless Nets are an ideal team to get them back on track.
6 comments | 0 recs |
Undefeated Celtics Aim for 7-0 Against the Fast-Paced Phoenix Suns
by Greg Payne on Nov 6, 2009 3:24 PM EST
in Games
9 comments
9 comments | 0 recs |
C's Head North to Visit Old Friends
by Green17 on Nov 4, 2009 8:11 PM EST
in Games
6 comments
Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves Game Preview
Preview by IndeedProceed
Since that fateful day on July 31st, 2007 the Boston Celtics have faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves four times and have won four times. That does not mean it has always been easy. In 2007-2008 the Celtics won the two games against the Wolves by a combined score of three points. In 2008-2009 the scores were a little less stressful but the latest battle last season had Boston only winning by eight.
Circumstances are decidedly different for both teams since they last met during the regular season. Minnesota's (By way of Boston. We had him first) Al Jefferson way playing at an All-Star level, posting 34 points and 11 rebounds. Boston was riding high, tied for the best record in the league. Since that game both teams have underwent massive changes.
Seven games later Boston would lose Kevin Garnett to what would ultimately be a season ending injury. Five games later Minnesota would lose Al Jefferson for the season. Both injuries would severely derail their respective teams seasons.
Now, it is two very different teams that face off. The Celtics have a revamped bench and a healthy Garnett. Of the Timberwolves starting 5 last Winter, only former Celtics Ryan Gomes and Al Jefferson remain. The Celtics look to improve on their already impressive record while the Timberwolves still look to get their first win since the franchise defining trade of Kevin Garnett.
6 comments | 0 recs |
Celtics Roll into Philly Looking for Fifth Straight Win
by FLCeltsFan on Nov 3, 2009 7:15 PM EST
in Games
5 comments
(4-0) at 
(2-1)
Boston Celtics (4-0) at Philadelphia 76ers (2-1)
Tuesday, November 3
7:00 PM ET
Game #5 Road Game #2
TV: CSN, CSN HD, LP 755
Wachovia Center
The Celtics visit the Wachovia Center looking to pick up their second road win of the season and their 5th straight victory. The Sixers lost their opener to the Magic but have won two games in a row. The Sixers have a good starting unit and may be able to hold their own against the Celtics starters. But, their bench lacks depth and that may be the difference in this game.
Rajon Rondo will be matched against Lou Williams who is another good young point guard. This is Williams' first season starting and he is making the most of his opportunity. He is currently second in the league in assist to turnover ratio and is also averaging just over 20 points per game. Hopefully there won't be the animosity that we saw between Rondo and Chris Paul because Williams works out with Rondo and Josh Smith in the off season.
The Sixers have the firepower to put points on the board as they scored 141 in their last game, an OT win over the Knicks. They will need every bit of that as they face the Celtics whose defense is allowing a mere 81 points per game which is tops in the league. The Sixers’ defense will be also be tested, especially on the perimeter, as Boston has averaged 21.8 three-point attempts per game, fourth-highest in the NBA behind New York, Orlando and Houston.
The Celtics' two wins in Philly last season came by a total of 3 points, but both were without Keviin Garnett. In those two games, Paul Pierce averaged 30 points and Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds for a 1 point victory in the first, while Pierce's clutch shot put Boston ahead for good with 2 minutes left in a 100-98 victory in the second. Since the Celtics play tomorrow night, let's hope that the Celtics take care of business in this one and give the starters the 4th quarter off.
5 comments | 0 recs |
Celtics Aim for 4-0 as Chris Paul and the Hornets Visit the Garden
by Greg Payne on Nov 1, 2009 3:01 PM EST
in Games
11 comments
The Celtics have mixed a very profitable blend of overwhelming defense and red-hot offense to propel themselves to a 3-0 start, while the Hornets have struggled somewhat in their first two games, losing to the San Antonio Spurs by 17 in their season opener and squeaking by the Sacramento Kings by five on Friday.
The Hornets' most notable offseason move was shipping center Tyson Chandler to Charlotte for center and former UConn star Emeka Okafor. That move was met with some criticism, but Okafor put up 11 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked four shots against Sacramento, to help steady any negative opinions of him.
The talk of the town centers around Rajon Rondo and his matchup with Hornets point guard Chris Paul. Both are coming off of impressive games, but for different statistical reasons. Rondo dished out 16 assists in a Celtics win against the Bulls on Friday, while Paul scored 31 points on only 14 shots against the Kings. Rondo's current 37-5 assist to turnover ratio speaks volumes of his improved on-court decision making, but with defense always being the key for Boston, Rondo's number one objective tonight will be trying to contain Paul.
Rondo's defense fit the bill on Friday as he held Chicago point guard Derrick Rose to just 10 points, two assists and no rebounds in 24 minutes of action. The Celtics would be thrilled with a similar line from Paul in this contest.
The Celtics also welcome back Hornets forward James Posey, who played a crucial role on the 2008 championship squad.
11 comments | 0 recs |
Boston Aims for 3-0 Against Pesky Chicago
by Greg Payne on Oct 30, 2009 6:04 PM EDT
in Games
18 comments
The Boston Celtics continue their three-game home stand tonight when the Chicago Bulls visit the TD Garden at 8:00pm.
Boston takes the court tonight fresh off a dominating win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday, in which they held Larry Brown's team to a franchise-low 59 points. The Bulls find themselves in the second game of a back-to-back after impressively vanquishing the San Antonio Spurs in Chicago in their first game of the season last night, 92-85. Chicago saw six players score in double figures last night, including 17 from a healthy Luol Deng.
This marks the first game between these two squads since last season's Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which went the full seven games and featured seven overtime periods. The Celtics were fortunate to move on from that series, but not before it became clear Chicago point guard Derrick Rose was perfectly capable of carrying a team on his own. Rose averaged an eye opening 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists as a rookie in last year's opening round loss to the Celtics, and engaged in a memorable one-on-one war with Rajon Rondo.
Rose scored 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists against the Spurs last night, so expect him and Rondo to renew their personal rivalry in tonight's game, which will take center stage amidst all of the media hype.
Don't sleep on the Paul Pierce - Luol Deng matchup, as Deng has proven to be one of the few defenders capable of bothering Pierce's offensive game in the past. Deng missed the 2009 postseason, but the Duke product seems poised to make amends for lost time.
18 comments | 0 recs |
Celtics Looking to Declaw Bobcats in the Home Opener
by FLCeltsFan on Oct 28, 2009 9:05 PM EDT
in Games
11 comments
(0-0) 
at (1-0)
Charlotte Bobcats (0-0) at Boston Celtics (1-0)
Wednesday, October 28
7:30 PM ET
Game #2, Home Game #1
TV CSN HD, FSCR, LP 755,756
TD Banknorth Garden
Referees: Scott Foster, Brian Forte, Gary Zielinski
Game Thread l Chat
The Celtics opened the season last night with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. While this was a great victory, it is just one win out of 82. The Celtics need to be ready to play every night, whether they are playing a team like the Cavs who will be vying for the top spot in the East or a team like the Bobcats who will probably finish somewhere closer to the bottom of the pack.
In spite of their record, the Bobcats are one of those young and athletic teams that always seem to give the Celtics problems. The Celtics have had to scrap out just about every game with this team over the past two seasons. Boston won two of three against Charlotte last season, but two of the games went to overtime - including one in double OT - and the one that ended in regulation was decided by five points. The Celtics have won seven of nine at home against the Bobcats but almost every one of those wins were hard fought.
11 comments | 0 recs |
Celtics Visit Cavaliers to Jump-start 2009-2010 NBA Season
by Greg Payne on Oct 27, 2009 9:25 PM EDT
in Games
24 comments
Boston Celtics (0-0) at Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
7:30pm
TV: TNT; Radio: 850 AM WEEI
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena
At long last, the Boston Celtics kick off the 2009-2010 NBA season at the Quicken Loans Arena tonight when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:30pm.
The Celtics take the floor for their first game of the regular season after compiling a 6-2 record during the preseason, while the Cavaliers are coming off a preseason that saw them go 4-4, including a 96-82 loss to the Celtics last Wednesday. The Celtics averaged a respectable 97.9 points per game over the eight-game preseason span, but more importantly, held opponents to just 90.1 points per game over that same stretch. With defense being the key for the green this season, hopefully that number resonates from game one against Cleveland tonight.
There appears to be some bad blood brewing between these two Eastern Conference juggernauts, as evidenced by Shelden Williams' shove of Mo Williams at the tail end of the first half last Wednesday. With that in mind, it's safe to expect an extremely hard fought and competitive game tonight, as both teams are looking to send a message to the other and start their respective seasons off on the right foot.
Playing in Cleveland doesn't necessarily bode well for Boston, as over the past two seasons in seven contests, the Celtics have amassed an 0-7 record in the Q, including the playoffs. Hopefully that negative trend can change course tonight.
Boston took something of a hit last night, as news broke that Glen Davis suffered a thumb injury on Sunday and will be out for the at least six weeks. With Brian Scalabrine also unavailable tonight due to a sprained ankle, expect Shelden Williams to see extended minutes with the second unit.
24 comments | 0 recs |
Celtics Visit Cavs For Preseason Finale
by CelticBalla32 on Oct 21, 2009 3:15 PM EDT
3 comments
5-2 
@ 
4-3
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
7:00 pm ET
Schottenstein Center (Columbus, OH)
Through seven exhibition games, we've seen a lot of promising things. We've seen that KG might indeed be alright, we've seen slimmer and more agile versions of Big Baby and Perk, we've seen that Rasheed Wallace still has it when he's hungry, we've begun to see just how versatile Marquis Daniels really is, we've seen some all-out hustle from youngsters like J.R. Giddens and Lester Hudson, we've seen that Michael Sweetney has outdone Rondo's poor eating habits, and we've seen some very strong showings from our man Rondo after a slow start to his preseason campaign. What we haven't seen, however, is a game of basketball that actually counts.
Lucky for us, tonight's Celtics-Cavs matchup marks the end of preseason basketball. Don't get too excited; I'd save your "Eastern Conference Finals preview" headlines and anticipations for Tuesday's regular season opener in Cleveland, as many starters are expected to take tonight's preseason finale off. However, expect a hard-fought game played by a number of players looking to impress for minutes and perhaps a roster spot.
The regular season is just six days away. Take a deep breath and get through tonight's game with that in mind.
3 comments | 0 recs
Celtics Visit MSG Looking for 6th Straight Win
by FLCeltsFan on Oct 20, 2009 3:30 PM EDT
in Games
5 comments
at 
Boston Celtics (5-1) at New York Knicks (3-2)
Tuesday, October 18, 2009
7:30 PM ET
TV: MSG, CSN HD, LP 752, 753
Madison Square Garden
The Celtics and the Knicks have one of the oldest rivalries in the league. They face off for the second time this preseason, this time at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics easily won their first meeting 96-82, as they notched their first win of the preseason. The Celtics have won all 4 games since they last met to raise their record to 5-1 while the Knicks have lost just one other game besides their loss to the Celtics for a 3-2 record.
In their first meeting, Al Harrington and David Lee led the Knicks with 13 points each and Darko Milicic led the team in rebounding with 8. The Celtics had a balanced attack with 4 players in double figures including Perk with 14, Sheed and Ray with 13 and KG with 10. Rasheed Wallace also pulled down 12 rebounds in his second game as a Celtic.
Since that game, the Celtics have stuck with their starting lineup and Doc has shuffled the bench, as Sheed would say, like a mad scientist. Leading up to their last game, Doc said several times that he would start Marquis Daniels in the back court with Pierce and Ray but in the end, he stuck with Rondo at the point in the first unit. I expect Doc to stick with his regular starters in this game as well.
On the other hand, Mike D'Antoni has shuffled his starters a couple times since these two teams first met. In their first meeting, the Knicks started Chris Duhon (PG), Wilson Chandler (SG), Danilo Gallinari (SF), Al Harrington (PF), and David Lee (C). The only player starting at the same position in this game will be David Lee. Some players have shifted positions and some, like Nate Robinson, have been moved from the bench to the starting lineup.
This will be the Celtics final tuneup before the regular season starts. They play tomorrow, but Doc has said that he will rest his starters in that game and so it will be time for the young guys to get some extended minutes. So, look for Doc to use this game as the final dress rehearsal for the regular season. The starters should play around 30 minutes and the bench rotation should be close to what it will be in the regular season.
5 comments | 0 recs |
Showing 1 - 10 of 110 Older
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
