New Jersey Nets (17-39, 4-24 away) @ Boston Celtics (39-14, 24-5 at home)
Game #: Overall-54, Home-30
Time: 7:30 PM EST, Wednesday, Feb 16th, 2011
Venue: TD Garden
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, David Jones, Leroy Richardson
TV: YES, CSN-NE, Radio: WEEI
The Line: The Celtics are 14-1 against the Nets since March 2007, and this
is Boston's last game heading into the All-Star break.
Game Thread | Chat Room
Today's applicable quote: Focus, Daniel-san. - Mr. Miyagi
Today, for NBA players, is like the last day before Christmas vacation for high-schoolers. Its the last fall-semester final for a college freshmen. Its not the last day of school before summer, but its pretty darn close. Its the last game before the All-Star break and or game, depending on how good of a player we're talking about.
The Celtics are officially sending 4 guys to the All-Star game (Pierce, Rondo, Allen, Garnett), but inevitably more will go. Shaquille O'Neal has some kinda comedy thing he hosts, Nate Robinson likes the shiny lights, Glen Davis loves In-N-Out Burger...basically, people have reasons to go, and they're looking forward to the break.
But, one thing stands in their way: The New Jersey Nets.
Have the Nets lost 7 of their last 9 games? Yes. Have the Celtics beaten the Nets everytime Paul Pierce has taken the floor since March 2007? Yes.
Let us not forget however, how things can easily go awry. Whether we're talking about a three hour tour from a tropic port, or whether it is a simple vacation to somewhere sunny during Christmas, one simple misstep can turn an easy layup into a horrible embarrassing affair.
Last year, the Celtics were without Paul PIerce on Feb. 27th. They played the Nets, and at the time, the Nets only had 5 wins on the year. The Celtics were coming off of a demoralizing loss to Cleveland (you know, back when they were relevant), and to be completely honest, our boys could really use a pick me up in the fashion of a good ol' fashioned blow-out.
26 points from Kevin Garnett and 17 assists from Rajon Rondo later, the Celtics had managed to be one of only 5 teams (to that point) to drop a game to the woeful Nets. It was the single lowest point of the season, and I'm including game 7 of the Finals.
Tonight, the Celtics are banged up, they're distracted, and they're sorely in need of some R&R to get healthy. That is all true. But tonight, the Celtics have a game, and champions don't just show up to play when they feel like it.
There is good news however, when asked by reporters earlier in the week if he would be ready for tonight's game against the New Jersey Nets, despite all the distractions of the All-Star break and the injuries to the team, Kevin Garnett offered a simple answer: "Yup."
Click below to comment and see the lineups and stats.
Probable Starting Line-Ups
Boston Celtics
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Injuries And Stuff: OUT-Jermaine O'Neal, Semih Erden, Shaquille O'Neal, Marquis Daniels | QUESTIONABLE-Delonte West | DAY-To-DAY-Paul Pierce
New Jersey Nyets
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Injuries And Stuff: Damion Jones (OUT)