CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Celtics Close Preseason with Loss to Raptors

October 26, 2006

Celtics end the season with a 106-102 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Of 33 close games last season, we lost 21. Hopefully we aren't going to continue that type of pattern this season.

As with the most of the other preseason games, there were positives and negatives. We turned the ball over too much with a total of 21 turnovers.We have to limit our turnovers and take better care of the ball if we want to win this season. We won the battle of the boards 44 -38 and that is a good thing but we had lapses on defense, allowing the Raptors to score too easily at times. As for the individual performances there were things to be encouraged about.

Telfair had yet another very strong game and seems to improve with each game. He seems comfortable with leading the team. He is a much better shooter than advertised and hasn't hesitated to take the shot when he was open, shooting over 50% for the preseason. He played well all around with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, with only 2 turnovers.

Wally seems to be another player improving more as the preseason went along. He is moving very well and seems to be close to 100% on his surgically replaired knee. Last night he had 27 points and 4 rebounds and moved very well without the ball. On the downside, he also had 5 turnovers.

Delonte was once again Delonte with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. He seems to be taking to the off guard spot quite well, although several times he passed up a shot that he should have taken, trying to be a playmaker. His role should become more defined as he gets more practice time in before the season starts.

Perk, Al, Powe, and Gomes all had solid but not spectacular games. Perk finished with 3 fouls, but he needs to learn to defend the paint without fouling. He finished with 5 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. With a little more confidence, he should start playing more aggessively and with less fouls. Al had 6 points 7 rebounds and 2 blocks and was looking comfortable on the floor. He was 2 for 3 on FG and so they weren't finding him inside very much. Powe played solid other than a couple of turnovers for 3 second violations. he finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block in limited minutes once again.

Rondo had a very un-Rondo like game finishing with no points, no steals, , 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Tanguay and Felger attributed this to his having Plantar Fasciitis (see article below).

Now they have a week off to define roles, build chemistry, and work on defense. The final cuts still need to be made, Tony's option is still up in the air, and there are still injury concerns, but hopefully with the buzzer sounds on Nov 1, they will be ready and play like a team on a mission.

[Box Score]
[Recap]

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