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Fiddlin' and Diddlin' - Daily Links 1/7
Thursday, January 7, 2010
by FLCeltsFan 10:56 AM
Herald Paul Pierce-Rajon Rondo combo leads to wild OT win
Painful cut for Lester Hudson
Clippers end Lakers’ mastery over them
Wizards lose game and Arenas
Globe Updates from Celtics-Heat
Hudson could "possibly" return
Analysis of Celtics-Heat
In case you missed it ... Pierce to Rondo at the buzzer
Celtics’ Pierce lobs a big compliment Rondo’s way -
Doing all in their power to reach full strength
Vote for Perk Vote For Perk (and the rest of the Celtics)
CelticsBlog Pierce Alleys Rondo Oops...Celts Win
The Gut Punch Reversal
Fan Huddle Allen, Rondo turn down the Heat in OT
Is Rafer Alston a target for Danny Ainge
Loy's Place Comments from the Other Side - Heat 1/6
Hudson Waived
Celtics.com Ford Keys to the Game: Celtics at Heat
NBA.com Celtics secure 'great win' while spoiling D-Wade's big night
Red's Army Rondo!!!!!!!!!!
Your Morning Dump... Where we thank god Rondo can jump so high
Green Street Fast Break: Celtics vs. Heat
Ray Allen’s mystical ability
Celtics Hub Game 8? C’s 112, Heat 106 (OT)
Day After Notebook: Ray on the Play, Daniels Healing, the Hudson Spot
NESN Perfect Play Makes Celtics' Wild Night in Miami One to Remember
Ray Allen Tries to Go Through Dwyane Wade ... And Fails
Live Blog: Celtics at Heat
After Regulation Buzzer-Beater, Rajon Rondo, Celtics Take Overtime Thriller From Heat
North Station Sports Celtics Stun Heat In Regulation, Win In OT 112-106 1/6/10
Celtics Town Reason number one why ‘advanced’ statistics are flawed
Maine vs. Springfield Preview
Rondo packs Heat: Steals OT win from Miami, 112-106
Hardwood Houdini Dwyane Wade Has Nothing on Pierce and Rondo
Celtics Drop Lester Hudson, Who’s In?
Ray Allen Does What He Does
Lex Nihil Novi 25-8: Celtics 112, Heat 106
Celtics Tone Down Expectations for Road Trip (83-84)
Doubts Still Linger about the 1983-84 Celts (83-84)
Sam Jones and John Havlicek Elected to Hall of Fame (83-84)
Another Homecoming for DJ (83-84)
Celtics Life Happy Birthday Gilbert Arenas ...Here's Your Suspension
Celts Win, 2010 Flakers-Style
Celtics/Heat Post Game Videos
Celtics 112, Heat 106 Highlights
Green Jungle Breaking News: Celtics Waive Lester Hudson
Boston Celtics Basketball - Where The Unexpected Happens
Celtics Stuff Live CSL Celtics Player of the Decade and other honors
A Gift?
Gang Green 3-11 with Justin Poulin
ESPN NBA upholds recent technicals against Perkins
Rookie Hudson gets waived
First impressions: Celtics 112, Heat 106
Doc's opinion: 'What a great win'
The Lob Play
Real Baron Davis stands up
Sources: Carlos Arroyo will continue through the end of season with Miami Heat
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban rips NFL for scheduling of NFL playoff games
WEEI - The Three-Pointer: It's like they never left
Bleacher Report Celtics Waive Lester Hudson: Do They Want Rafer Alston?
How Arenas' Suspension Could Shake Up the Rest of the League
Sun Sentinel Miami Heat: Rajon Rondo the hero as Boston Celtics top Miami Heat in OT 112-106
Celtics 112, Heat 106
Peninsula is Mightier Heat crumble when it counts, drop heartbreaker to Boston
AJC Nets shredded, Celtics next
CSN-NE Celtics 112, Heat 106: Live Blog
Rondo leads rally as Celts beat the Heat
Talking points: C's at Miami
Miami Herald Miami Heat forces OT, but falls to Boston Celtics
ProJo Celtics cool off Heat in thrilling fashion
Celtics waive Lester Hudson
CBS Sports Stern's decision right for all after Arenas' mocking gesture
Celtics' starting lineup is thin
Dimemag Rajon Rondo’s Ridiculous Alley-Oop Buzzer Beater
The Folks with the Crossbows
CT News Boston Big Shots Beat Miami Heat
All Boston Blog Boston Turns Up The Heat on Miami
Washington Post Gilbert Arenas suspended
Slam Online NBA D-League Showcase in Full Swing
Lock Smith Sports Picks Kevin Garnett's Knee Injury
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Comments from the Other Side - Heat 1/6
by FLCeltsFan 9:41 AM
This game was amazing to watch. I had a lot of fun chatting with the guys on CelticsLife while watching it. I don't know if I have ever had such a range of emotions in such a short time and it seems the Miami fans went through the same range of emotions except backwards from ours. Great win for the Celtics but very heartbreaking loss for the Heat. Since the Celtics have had a few of those recently, I feel their pain - but not enough to not enjoy these comments from the other side
What do you guys think about this game on Wednesday? I am a realist, so regularly I would say we would lose because the Celtics are just a better team no questions asked, but... They will be missing a FEW of the players that make our lives impossible.
I want to say KG is out, Pierce is probably out and Rondo is still so - so.
I like our chances. Let's shut them down.
Hmm, wow if those 3 are out then we should be able to win, especially with Pierce and KG, who killed us last 2 games we played them. We would only have to worry about Allen.
If we beat Orlando the way we did, there's no way we can't beat the Celtics without KG an PP.
Ya Miami should make this one quick and painless.
We got to watch out for Perkins he dominated us last time but we should be able to win. Wish Alston could play for us by then so he and house can battle each other. Lol House probably still pissed...
Turns out house who has the flu might not play either and Perkins might be a game time decision.Heat 104 Celtics 86
Hope beas continues to have big games, he needs to sort out his poor second half play but other than that he's really ballin ATM. Other than that I think Wright should mark Allen, when wades not on the floor, sounds like he's going to be their main scoring option outside of sheed and Perkins... And rondo. Damn Celtics have A LOT of weapons.
Lol @ anything being an easy comfortale win for the Heat. I can see us getting smacked even with all the Celtics missing players. Because the Heat players might come in the same way as the fans thinking its a guaranteed win and get their aszes outhustled and outrebounded.
If our team don't win this game, it will make our whole organization and superstar look bad and be critized by the media. But then again, the media doesn't care about our team anymore.
Why is everyone acting like this will be an easy win? The only person they are missing is KG. And their team is still vastly better than ours even without him.
What about Paul Pierce? If he's still out, there's no reason we can't win this game. If he is back, then that's another story.
Mr. Clutch is back.
Hope you guys don't mind having this Lakers fan as a guest poster tonight. I wanna see the Cs lose as much as you guys do tonight.
I hate Rasheed Wallace The guy cries about everything....Beasley needs to attack Rasheed, not shoot jumpers.
Kendrick Perkins is dominating us. Its too bad we don't have a tough center on our roster to bang with him.
Also one thing I'm jealous about that the C's have, lights out 3-point shooting (Pierce/Allen). Its not something you want to depend on, but it allows you to win games you probably have no business winning. I'm so disappointed with Cook/JJ this season.
There is no way Rasheed can guard Beasley- so of course let's move Beasley to SF and help them.
Why are we pressing Rando? LOL
Somebody please at least try to slow down Rondo, we just allow him to drive right to the paint every time.
We are letting Rondo keep them in the game.
Can we get a refund on Arroyo's guarantee? Not a good game for him so far.
Can't say I agree with that. Arroyo got pushed off, but then Rondo takes a dive and gets the foul call. I'll never forget how he got off scot free last Playoffs both times (Hinrich & Miller). That still ticks me off to this day!
Defense is key to win this game. Somebody needs to slow down Rondo's penetration, and Joel needs to stop jumping like a bunny everytime anyone gets near the paint, if we're gonna slow down Perkins. Or we could just try playing Magloire, but I'm not gonna count on that.
I don't think people understand how fast is Rondo, dude looks like a bullet. We have tried to trap him, and he blows by the defensive coverage.
Though our guards have to let him shoot. And you can't blame Anthony for giving help, that is what our defense is about, rotation help.
We just need to play better all around. Some guys are looking quite sloppy, Arroyo, chalmers.
The difference is, they have Rondo, we don't.
The Celtics play great basketball on both ends of the court but thanks to a little Wade and good effort we hang in there. The only thing that's annoying me is Rondo flat out killing us. Yeah he's great, I love to watch him play but come on, our point guards are not even trying, they're getting their feelings hurt.
Joel's been awful, he's giving up open dunks by trying to get blocks all the time. Doesn't help at all, that's why Perkins has 17 points.
We are making KPerkins look like Shaq in his prime
With the way Doc Rivers gyrates out there on the bench, you'd think the refs had an agenda against the Celtics. WRONG! Stop crying you idiot and just do your job!
That's a charge but after Boston whined so much the ref gave them one.
Penetration. The Celtics are getting it every single possession. Its hard to play defense when you're constantly on your heels.
Boston's gonna pull away very soon if this team doesn't do something quickly.
Miami's gonna need 40+ from Wade tonight to win. I'll call that right now.
This is the UD we need- he's a great role player when Spo is not trying to turn him into an All-Star. Loved how he got into Rasheed's head.
We could be great, we just need one more good player. We are 100x better than the Lakers before the Gasol-trade.
We look like a well-oiled machine right now, guys are absolutely all over the place defensively, I love it.
Scalabrine is the Beasley stopper it seems.
I hate Rasheed.
We get killed on 3-pts by a 25% shooter.
Q how dare you foul Pierce with your face
Soooooo Wallace doesn't get a technical for that but Q did...
I hate the Celtics.
Ridiculous and Q had an actual argument.
**** you Boston and your Boston tea party.
D-Wade does it again THIS IS MY HOUSE!
DWade for the WIN!!! Yess! Yes! Yes!!!!!!
Justice!
Injustice
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! How does Pierce have space to make that pass? Better yet how does Rondo get to the rim?
See THIS is the difference between a regular NBA coach and a good coach!
Great play by Dwyane though, I was celebrating already!
Overtime, damn what the hell happened? LOL. I though we probably loss this game, then Wade makes some freethrows, then steals the ball to dunk it, then we give a layup with .06 to overtime.
Doc Rivers is definitely picking on Chalmers in OT, Rondo is toying with him.
Chalmers is getting abused so bad that I feel like calling child support
MOST of their freaking points came off Rondo's penetration. Hell, the last freaking play in regulation was a rondo score.
Embarrassing finish. I expected more from Wade's sidekicks. Regardless of how disgusted I am at the finish of this game, I think Heat Fans should take solace in 2010. Losses like this won't happen after August of this year.
Does Spo even know you can make a sub in overtime?
Don't talk smack about Spo. If he had better players we would have won this game.
I would love Spo to tell us what play he thought Boston was running on that last regulation play. Why put a small defender on the inbounder and not protect the paint.
Such an unfortunate loss. We could've won so easily if only the clock people hadn't frozen the clock for one second on that second to last play in regulation where Wade went down and got fouled by Allen. Such a small error affected the whole outcome of the game. God hates us.
That's actually a good one to, but unfortunately they work for us.
Ok am confused, who are we blaming this on Chalmers, or Spo? If it's my pick I'd like to blame the reff that let Pierce elbow Q in the face (though really funny) & not only get away with it but call a technical on Q.
This Boston team even without K.G still plays very good basketball Rondo is an All Star.
Another loss due to our impotent PG ..who needs a PG Ala Chalmers, just put the towel boy, do something
You could see Paul Pierce giving DWade words of encouragment, I think it was pretty easy to see that Dwyane was thinking "how much more can I give?"
My point was why blame anyone? The blame is on the fact that we don't have a team as talented as BOS. We, & everyone knows this. Their record does not lie, even with all their injuries.
Just b/c we are not as talented doesn't mean we shouldn't win. We lost this game and it should have been a win.
One thing Arroyo is marginally good at it is flopping and taking charges but aside from that he doesn't provide a whole lot more other than a semi-steady ballhandling.
Its not like Boston made a ton of huge clutch shots or something. They were getting easy penetration, against the point guard nearly every time down the floor, and had multiple open layups/dunks/3's generated from it. While on the other end, we were playing Wade-on-5 offense, meaning Mario is useless out there.
I though we went toe to toe with Celtics and we were let down by 2 people. I hate to put it on that one foul by the refs. Yes it was big but come on we got enough calls before that.
I wouldn't say Doc Rivers won his team the game either, but Boston did continually attack the same point on our defense. Whereas when something was working for us (Wade penetrating, Haslem pick-and-pop jumpers), Boston made the necessary adjustments to slow us down.
Boston's defense is really good.
I wonder what happened to Chalmers quickness, maybe Rondo is just that quick
Q probably was kind of reeling from the refs tech.
How the hell does Rasheed doesn't get a tech trowing like a 2 minute fit in the bench? When Q got a tech for who knows what.
After the Wade steal and dunk we were going INSANE and high fiving eachother and jumping around and then that **** Rondo alley-oop, ugh. I've never gone from such a high to such a low so fast at a game.
Chalmers should never touch the floor again after Rafer (hopefully) gets here. Send him to the D league and teach him what defense is or ship his asz out while people can still be fooled into thinking he'll ever be a valuable NBA player.
The OT shouldn't have happened. Rondo is just too much. It just made me sooo tired seeing Wade do this much and lose.
We had this game won....thanks to chalmers with he D....once again, another no namers on offense kills him,...he cant guard nobody....I don't care how hard he played
Rondo ain't a nobody on offense lmao. He doesn't shoot well yes but he can finish under the rim which makes it all the more obvious how bad chalmers' defense is cos if I was guarding rondo I would sag off him so much and dare him to shoot yet rondo kept blowing by chalmers like he wasn't even there lmfao
Heartbreak loss of the year. no words. just feel like crying
I think im not going to school tomorrow. too depressed. I dont want to have my friends laugh at me. I ****** stayed u untill 6 am to see Chalmers getting schooled by rondo. This is more heartbreaking than the kobe buzzer beater.
i want to kill myself and bring chalmers and allen with me. Damn!!!!
Don't forget Rondo...pls.
Kobe's shot is worse but even though this loss hurt cheer up because we will have Alston soon . Just something to look forward to to get your mind off of the lost
Another stupid game they had won and refused to win. How the **** are you gonna let that lizard looking mother****er score with .6? And blowing an 11 point lead in the 4th didn't help, either.
This is a tough one to swallow guys no homo but look at it this way. It took a screw up by chalmers at the end of the game for us to lose against an elite team.
That was also missing an elite player...
well boston is still an elite team even if they are missing garnett thats how deep they are. We put a hell of a fight but it could have gone our way if it wasnt for a freak play
Can you believe Boston had Allen, Pierce and Rondo on the court -three all-stars (and Rondo will be one soon)-, with their best player(KG) missing the game? I wonder what is on Wade's head when he sees all that first level talent to then turn around and look at his bench.... Riley better add two all-star studs this summer to add to Wade and Beasley.
Talent wins it by a blow out.. Good coaching wins by a point.
Nice L. We got screwed by ray Allen, the refs and most importantly CHALMERS GUARDING RONDO.
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Hudson Waived
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
by FLCeltsFan 7:59 PM
From the Globe:
In a rather shocking move, the Celtics waived guard Lester Hudson just before the deadline that the team had to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season, Hudson participated in the team's shootaround this morning and I talked to him about his contract and he had no idea whether his deal was guaranteed or whether he would be waived.
"I let my agent handle all of that," he said this morning.
If Hudson clears waivers, the Celtics could sign him to a 10-day contract. The Celtics brought Hudson to Miami, had him participate in shootaround only to release him in the afternoon. The NBA can be brutal at times. This is very surprising- not only to us, but to Lester as well. Hudson seems to have a lot of potential and everyone seemed to feel that the Celtics were grooming him for a future back up PG. Most opinions were that if anyone was to be waived it would be Giddens, but I guess it was the fact that Lester's contract wasn't guaranteed that ended his time with the Celtics.
I always think that when they do something like bring a player on a road trip. Let him participate in a shoot around and give him no indication that he is going to be cut, It will come back to bite them. Red always stressed that the Celtics were loyal to their players and in all his writings, he always talked about how they talked to players ahead of time to let them know that they might be traded. If you want players to be loyal to your team, you need to let them know that the team is going to be loyal to its players.
They did Leon wrong and now it appears that they have done Lester wrong. There still remains the possibility that if Lester clears waivers they can bring him back on a 10 day contract. The next question is who they are looking at to fill Lester's spot.
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Celtics On the Road Again to Face the Heat
by FLCeltsFan 2:02 PM
 at  Boston Celtics (24-8) at Miami Heat (17-15)
Wednesday, January 6
7:30 PM ET
Game #33, Road Game #18
SunSpM HD, CSN HD, NBA TV 756-757
American Airlines Arena
Referees: Joe Crawford, Courtney Kirkland, Leon Wood
As of this morning, Paul Pierce (knee), Rajon Rondo (hamstring) and Kendrick Perkins (stomach flu or food poisoning) went through the shootaround with the first team and are expected to start tonight. KG traveled with the team but won't play tonight. Eddie House is still at home with the flu and will be out also. With Pierce and Rondo returning after injuries and Perk playing a day after having a stomach flu or food poisoning, it wouldn't be surprising if their timing is a bit off. On the other side, Jermaine O'Neal is a game time decision for the Heat.
The Heat had been slumping, having lost 3 in a row before Monday night's 92-75 win over the Hawks, so they may be snapping out of it with that win. The Celtics are 11-4 on the road while the Heat are 11-9 at home. The Heat are playing with 1 day off while the Celtics have been off since Sunday. The Celtics haven't done all that well after a 3 day layoff and with the players coming back from injury, this could get ugly, or they could respond like they did in the Raptors game and have a strong game. You'll have to watch to see which team shows up.
ProbableStarting Matchups
Point Guard
![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/3026.jpg) vs ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/1055.jpg)
Rajon Rondo vs Carlos Arroyo
Shooting Guard
![[image]](http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3080.jpg) vs ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/1987.jpg)
Ray Allen vs Dwyane Wade
Small Forward
![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/662.jpg) vs ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/703.jpg)
Paul Pierce vs Quintin Richardson
Power Forward
![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/883.jpg) vs ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/3418.jpg)
Rasheed Wallace vs Michael Beasley
Center
![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/2018.jpg) vs ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/615.jpg)
Kendrick Perkins vs Jermaine O'Neal
Key Matchups
![[image]](http://www.nba.com/media/act_ray_allen.jpg) vs![[image]](http://www.nba.com/media/act_dwyane_wade.jpg)
Ray Allen vs Dwyane Wade
Wade is once again in MVP talks and will be tough to cover for the depleted Celtics. Tony should see time guarding Wade to save Ray's energy for the offensive end.
![[image]](http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/act_rasheed_wallace.jpg) vs![[image]](http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/act_michael_beasley.jpg)
Rasheed Wallace vs Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley is playing very well and is averaging 15.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He is capable of getting to the hoop if the defense gives him an opening and can also hit the jumper. Sheed needs to come to play defensively and limit Beasley's effectiveness.
Honorable Mention
Kendrick Perkins vs Jermaine O'Neal
This matchup may or may not materialize. O'Neal is listed in their starting lineup in their game notes, but he has been out with a hip injury and is listed day to day. He did not play against the Hawks on Monday night. If O'Neal can't go, look for Joel Anthony to get the starting nod. Perk should be able to get inside and get some easy baskets against either player.
Game Notes
• The C’s are currently leading the season series 1-0; Celtics won the season series 3-1 against Miami in 2008-09
• Ray Allen led the Celtics with 25.0 points per game last season in three games played against Miami
• Dwyane Wade led the Heat with an average of 29.3 points per game against the C’s last season
• The Celtics are 11-8 against Miami since the 2004-05 season
• The Celtics are leading the all-time series 50-35 with the Celtics 26-15 at home
Keys to the Game
Defense We saw in the last game that when the Celtics buckle down on defense, even with all the injuries, it is hard for any team to stay with them. They need to continue to make defense a priority.
Rebound The Celtics need to crash the boards to prevent the Heat from getting second chance baskets and also to be limit the fast break opportunities on missed baskets.
Run the Offense
When the Celtics move the ball, make the extra pass and find the open man, the offense is on track. They have to avoid the do it myself mentality that they might be tempted to try with the key players out. They did a great job of this in the Raptors game and need to do the same thing in this one.
Be Aggressive The Celtics need to be aggressive on both ends of the court. They have to come out strong and keep the pressure on throughout the game. The Heat will take advantage of any let up by the Celtics.
X Factor
Injuries and the Return From Them
With some players coming back from injury, some players out, and Perk recovering from food poisoning, it's hard to tell how the Celtics will respond. The Heat may or may not have their starting center back as well. It's hard to tell how the players and the teams will respond to the injuries and the returns from them.
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Fiddlin' and Diddlin' - Daily Links 1/6
by FLCeltsFan 9:36 AM
Herald Celts’ Paul Pierce: I’m in
Pierce should play; Rondo possible; Perk and House have flu
Kendrick Perkins sick, Eddie House home with flu
Gilbert Arenas, Wizards top 76ers
Bynum, Odom lead Lakers over Rockets
Paul Pierce practices, should play
Globe Pierce, Rondo in; House, Perkins out
Perkins travels with team
Heat thumbnails
Availability now Celtics’ toughest foe
Vote for Perk Vote For Perk (and the rest of the Celtics)
CelticsBlog Win Tickets To See The Celtics In The Finals!
Nope, It Is Still Not Time To Trade Ray Allen
Loy's Place Celtics Continue to Play Musical Players
Red's Army Your Morning Dump... Where Pierce's return could make things sloppy
Courtside View Tuesday practice update: Pierce back, Rondo back (sort of), Perkins, House home sick
CSNE NBA rescinds one of Perkins' technicals
Preview: Celtics at Heat
Chat with A. Sherrod Blakely
Pierce to play Wednesday
Preview: C's at Heat
Celtics Hub Rondo Expects To Play Wednesday
It’s That Time of Year: Three Trade Deadline Scenarios
Injury Update for Miami: Pierce Likely to Play, House Out
Opponent Injury Update: O’Neal Questionable for Wednesday
North Station Sports 'Sheed is the Big Ticket to the Celtics Success in 2010
Celtics Team(patch)work
Celtics At Heat Preview 1/6/10
CelticsLNShow Preview: Sunday, January 10th.
Celtics Town The Morning Walkthrough: Ray Allen – ‘We figure we’re the best team’
Rasheed Wallace helps: Looking at the bright side of Sheed
Rajon Rondo is C’s MVP, says Ray Allen
Pierce and Rondo return to practice
“The circus continues”: House and Perkins sit out practice with flu
Hardwood Houdini A Whole Buncha Celtics News
A Look Forward at The Boston Celtics January
Odds of Seeing Kendrick Perkins vs. Jermaine O’Neal
Lex Nihil Novi Lex Nihil Novi: Celtics Drop Blazers (83-84)
Celtics Fall to Clippers (83-84)
Larry v. Magic: Game 7
Celtics Life What the Hell Happened to...Pervis Ellison?
Want to coach a professional sports team? No, thanks.
Possible Back-Up Point Guard Options Emerge
Paul Pierce Expected To Play Tomorrow
Gino's Jungle The Celtics Guessing Game
Member Post: The Story Of One Man's Journey To Becoming A Celtics Fan
New Year, Old #1
ESPN Pierce, Rondo return; Perkins, House miss practice
Pierce planning Wednesday return
Perkins travels; House does not
League rescinded one of Perkins' technicals
Paul Pierce likely to play Wednesday; Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House sick
Awards Watch
NY Post No excuse for Arenas gun stunt
USA Today Austin Rivers has Coach K on Line 1 and Billy Donovan on hold
Telegram Perkins may sit out
Inside Hoops NBA Rumors: Wednesday, Jan. 6
Green Street Inside the Game: Shelden Williams and the Art of Rebounding
Perkins, House have the flu
Pierce and Rondo practice
Real GM Nets Tried To Land Nate
Sun Sentinel Miami Heat: Center Jermaine O'Neal questionable against Boston Celtics
Dimemag Austin Rivers H.S. Hoop Diary: Intro
NESN It's Time to Shine for Celtics Guard J.R. Giddens
A Set of New Year's Resolutions for the Celtics This Season
CBS Sports Celtics-Heat Preview
Mass Live Celtics buzz: Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce back at practice, Tracy McGrady-to-Boston not likely
Bet Us NBA - Gilbert Arenas Could Lose $80M for Gun Incident
Style Crave Boston Celtics x adidas Originals Phantom II
Dueling Couches Sheed Needs To be Leader
Celtics .com Celtics Beat - Subscription Form (Lakers Sweepstakes)
Yahoo Nets reach buyout with Alston
Struggling Jazz could face roster shakeup
Draft Express D-League Showcase, Day One
YouTube Boston Celtics' Danny Ainge on the NBA D-League
Slam Online Dimes All Around
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Celtics Continue to Play Musical Players
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
by FLCeltsFan 3:52 PM
Photo courtesy of ESPNForsberg Twitter
Chris Forsberg reports on the Celtics ESPN Blog that Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo both went through a full practice today before the team flew out for their Wednesday game in Miami. That is good news for a team that has been depleted by injuries.
But the news from practice wasn't all good. Eddie House and Kendrick Perkins both missed practice with the flu. House was not expected to travel with the team since he was running a fever and the league has strict rules about keeping players with fevers away from the team in light of the H1N1 going around. Perk was expected to travel with the team, so he must not have a fever and was described as having flu-like symptoms or a stomach virus.
The Globe added this little tidbit at the end:
Practice concluded with a first unit of Pierce and Brian Scalabrine at forwards, Rasheed Wallace at center, and Ray Allen and Rondo at guards. I really, really hope that Perk can play tomorrow night. I don't want to see Scal starting at power forward.
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Fiddlin' and Diddlin' - Daily Links 1/5
by FLCeltsFan 10:48 AM
Herald Rasheed Wallace in lead role
Rivers misses practice; Pierce shoots off to side
Dwyane Wade puts spark in Heat win
Globe House waiting for shots to fall
T. Allen in a thinking man's position
Forward thinking pays off
Vote for Perk Vote For Perk (and the rest of the Celtics)
Celtics Blog Practice Notes From 4077
CSL: In Case Of Emergency...
Win Tickets To See The Celtics In The Finals!
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Some Monday Links: KG in the Onion and a Certain Free Agent Big Man
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More Lessons from the Past - 1969
by FLCeltsFan 10:15 AM
The 1968-69 Celtics are the team that won me over to being a lifelong Celtics fan. I was in high school and loved basketball but didn't really follow a pro team at the time. I didn't get to watch them much because they didn't have league pass and the access to watching basketball like they do today but they did have a few nationally televised games. But I loved to read and started reading about the Celtics and the Celtics Pride that drove that team and they won me over. Then I started reading all about the past Celtics teams and became a fan and have loved this team ever since.
That 1968-69 team was very special. They struggled through the regular season, ending the season with a 48-34 record, which landed them in 4th place in the East. Bill Russell was at the end of his spectacular career and struggled with leg injuries throughout the season that even forced him to be hospitalized for a brief time. Sam Jones was also struggling with injuries that season.
There were cries from media and fans that this team was too old. After all, Bill Russell was 35, Sam Jones 36, Satch Sanders was 31, Bailey Howell was 32, Larry Siegfried was 30, Emmette Byrant was 31 and Havlicek and Nelson were both 29. Here is a quote from Frank Deford in Sports Illustrated in 1969:
Boston is supposed to be too old. This is a recording. Boston is supposed to be too old. This is a recording. The Celtics' eight regulars average over 30 years of age and, besides, Boston is not supposed to have eight regulars. Expansion drafts in the last two years were guaranteed to deplete the Celtic roster, but Boston came into the playoffs deeper than any other team. In addition, the Celtic fast break—when there was one—was being run by Emmette Bryant, who played for the Knicks last year. The Boston is too old mantra is being repeated today. With Pierce, KG, Ray and Sheed all over 30, many in the media, along with many fans have been repeating the same thing about this version of the Celtics. They are too old. The 1968-69 Celtics proved that age is just a number. Players with heart and pride and who take care of themselves as these current Celtics do are very dangerous and you can never count them out.
The Celtics somehow got past Philly and New York and then had to face the Lakers in the Finals. The Lakers finished that season with a 55-27 record and were loaded with talent including Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain. A week before the regular season ended, the Celtics were humiliated on national television, losing by 35 points, 108-73, to Los Angeles. The media were almost crowning the Lakers as the champions before any games were played. The Lakers were so sure of a Game 7 win on their court that they had thousands of balloons hanging in nets in the rafters and cases of champagne stacked outside their locker room.
But, a funny thing happened on the way to the Lakers coronation. The Celtics reached down deep and pulled out a most improbable win. This Celtics team didn't have home court advantage in ANY series that year. They won against all odds and they won with heart and pride - Celtics Pride.
So, when you are tempted to repeat the catch phrase that the Celtics are too old. Or are worried about not having home court advantage. Or look at the Lakers and believe the media hype that they are destined to be the Champs this season. Just remember that 1968-69 Celtics team that was too old and didn't have home court in any series and yet managed to win the championship and take heart because Celtics Pride is still alive and well.
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Fiddlin' and Diddlin' - Daily Links 1/4
Monday, January 4, 2010
by FLCeltsFan 9:29 AM
Herald Tony Allen makes most of chance
Lakers rout Mavericks but lose Pau Gasol
Ronald Murray, Bobcats stun Cavaliers
Gilbert Arenas’ practical joke backfiring on him and NBA
Globe A matter of approach
Garnett, Drogba cross paths
A breath of fresh air as younger Celtics happy for their chance
Vote for Perk Vote For Perk (and the other Celtics)
Celtics Blog Doc Becomes Pediatrician
Loy's Place Comments from the Other Side - Raptors 1/2
Red's Army Enemy Chatter: The Celtics are a lethal basketball fist
RedsArmy.com Player of the Week: Tony Allen
The Devil and Daniel Ainge
Your Morning Dump... Where Tony Allen feels as good as ever
Celtics Town J.R. Giddens’ excitement is refreshing, but…
User post: Injuries might help Celtics down the road
Throwing some dimes: Doc Rivers slimming down to race his players?
The Morning Walkthrough: Paul Pierce was like ‘an extra coach’
Courtside View Pierce says he’s day-to-day after two knee drains
Green Street Injury situation comes into focus
Another bump and bruise for T.Allen
Rasheed: We had guys step up
CSNE Talking points: C's vs. Toronto
Celtics Hub Mammoth Sunday Notebook: Pierce is Healing, the Offense Worked and Sheed Will Never Get It
Another Reason to Watch Rondo: Can Jameer Nelson Defend PGs?
What is Wrong With Brian Scalabrine?
NESN Celtics Find a Way to Win Without Regular Lineup
Kevin Garnett Out at Least Another 10 Days According to Doc Rivers
Despite Dominant Play, Rajon Rondo Still Lacking Votes
My SouthEnd All Star chatter and NBA notes
Loscy (Im)Possible ways things can get crappier for the Celtics «
North Station Sports Depleted Celtics Remind Us That Ubuntu is Still Alive in Boston
The New Garden Needs Help Finding Its Way
Hardwood Houdini Celtics Late Night Show: Episode 003 Special Guest John Karalis
Lex Nihil Novi JR Giddens or Michael Smith: Who Will History Judge as Having Made the Most of their Opportunity?
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What the Schintzius? (Episode 3)
Gino's Jungle New Year's Resolutions
Celtics Stuff Live Celtics Stuff Live: Scott Souza
What about the kids?
ESPN Kevin Garnett likely to miss at least 10 more days, Paul Pierce still day-to-day - ESPN Boston
Rasheed not happy with technical
Saturday's leftovers: Celtics vs. Raptors
Healthy outcome
Racing Rasheed
Truly Hoops bring on 2010....Part 1
NY Times Analysis - The Arenas Incident, and the N.B.A.’s Image Analysis - The Arenas Incident, and the N.B.A.’s Image
Southcoast Today Tim Weisberg: Patchwork Celtics won't make excuses
WEEI Despite Injury, Role of Captain Still Suits Pierce
Bleacher Report Cleveland Cavaliers' Key to a Title May Be in the Shadows
Danny Ainge Doesn't Care About Fans, Only Winning Another Championship
NY Post NBA must eject gun-toting Wizard, Gilbert Arenas
LA Times Lakers' Artest is cleared to practice after fall
Telegram NBA: While Cavs are surging, C’s are struggling
ProJo Celtics don’t let injuries stand in way of wins
Dino Nation Injured Celtics Whack Raps
Brother Steve's Raptors Blog NBA Referees Win One For the Celtics!
CSNE Hudson patiently waits for shot
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Comments from the Other Side - Raptors 1/2
Sunday, January 3, 2010
by FLCeltsFan 4:23 PM
One thing about playing the Raptors... there is no shortage of chat on the message boards. Some of their game threads go over 100 pages. There was a lot of talk on the boards about how bad the refs were. They have a point, because the refs were letting a lot of contact go on both sides and then they would call a ticky tack foul right after letting a mugging go. Going into this game, I didn't know if the Celtics could pull it off and was very pleased with the way they played. Enjoy this edition of Comments from the Other Side
I truly truly wish we win but the Celts have gotten to the Raptors heads. We won't win this game even after a good game against CHA. Rondo will still be a tough task for us and ray Allen could go off at any time
I think raps CAN pull it off, but will they? I doubt it. I have a feeling rondo will have a great game, and ray Allen with be dropping down bucket aftr buckets. Along with Eddie house. We don't see to have very good perimeter defense.
No Pierce = Raps win.
There's no player on the Celts who destroys us as much as he does.
Sheed is still out of shape and unless we let Rondo go for 30+ we should come out of this one on top.
Even still, without Pierce I think we grit out a pretty solid victory. If KG doesn't play then it will be a drubbing.
Hmmm... With the current injuries to the Celts, who knows? Expect the L, but if we were ever gonna beat then, now would be an opportune time.
Doc Rivers is taking a gamble to rest his hurt players. We should eat their 3rd string bacups for lunch.
Pierce's Agent informed him it is best to sit out because Bosh had revenge in his mind.
Perk and Wallace will go ape. Just too physical, and I don't see Bosh and Bargs having the same success in the post against them like against Charlotte. Still, a winnable game without Paul or KG. Just have to contain Rhonda and Allen and it could be close.
Even with Pierce and Garnett out, the Celtics are a very good defensive team. There offense will struggle a bit but there discpline and are veterans and will be a strong challenge for the Raptors.
I hope we can win, a possible Perice Kg and Rondo Less team... Can be easier to beat
SS THE STREAK WILL GO ON....RONDO INJURED
JR Giddens is starting for Boston tonight. Yeah. We better win.
With rondo,garnett and pierce out .. Should be an easy win and 6 game win streak
Hedo's in the starting lineup. Boston massacre
I am calling the W.
Celtics without KG is just an average team.
Eddie House will be our killer. As long as we contain him, we will win
Hopefully Rondo will take some late game free throws...that's a sure victory for the opposing team.
I really hope we demolish this team after what that punk Pierce did to Bosh last time.
I am less confident now that Rondo is out...the Raps have a way of blowing these kinds of games. Scrub goes off, ignites the crowd......come on guys! Lets make it 6!
WE ARE GOING TO ANNAHILATE THEMMM
I can't believe Doc actually had a lottery for the starters! I mean J.r Giddens has played a total of 2 minutes this season and is staring today!
House and Ray Ray both go for 15 three pointers each and Perkins goes 10/10 from the field all on offensive putbacks.
No way we lose against a team who has a Giddens as a starter.
This one should've been circled on our calendars after last time. We need payback. And I really don't care if we take it out on JR Giddens.
Rasheed Wallace will likely be the deciding factor as to whether we win this game or not.
No KG, no Pierce, no Rondo - arguably the top 3 Celtics, at worst the top 2 and the 4th best. If we don't win, it would be a truly embarrassing loss, but I wouldn't be shocked either, as we seem to do amazingly poorly vs. Undermanned teams.
No way we should lose this game. It will be a shame if we lose to a weak lineup like that...
I wanna punch Eddie House in the face
Boston second unit > raptors starting lineup
Perkins is out working Bargs tonight.
LOLLLLLL. Tony Allen grabbing a rebound in the middle of 4 of our guys.
The Celtics will be tired by halftime...book it
Fatsheed Wallace is killing us
Celtics' organization is dusgusting.
Everyone of their players are fake thugs who scream and complain on every play-on. Their PF's are whiney bitches and their coach is has a brickface.
Boston is a team not to be taken lightly ... Clearly the Raptors don't think so and there paying for it ...
Celtics would be up by 30 if Rondo, Garnett, and Pierce were playing.
Were facing Boston's D- League lineup right now.
Scalabrine looks like an out-of-shape Irish wearing long white socks
With Boston's 3rd unit on the floor, we have a chance
Man, Marcus Banks is such a hard working defender.
He was the real difference in why we made that run when he came in.
The Celtics actually foul on every play, it's just that the refs are only gonna call so many
Big baby has one of the lowest vertical jumps in the league
Big Baby gets calls over CB4 Shoot me now.
Why does Davis fall on each play
Look at the way God made him man....u would fall too if u looked like that
He's 6 ft, 500 pounds. I'm thinking his balance isn't the best.
Perkins is as good as bosh
This is obivously rigged, there is so many stupid foul calls.
3 Raps vs 1 Celt under our basket and we still can't get the rebound...
Scrubs getting minutes for the Celtics, and yet the Craptors are losing.
HOW do you even TRAIL, let alone LOSE to the Celtics without Pierce, Garnett, Daniels, Rando, basically the whole team is out?!
I'm not worried. The Celts can't stop Bosh and Bargnani.
Foul out Perkins please
I hate facing the Celts because we always make Eddie House think he's a half-decent player, when in reality he's terrible and then he talks trash.
That's great to see. The refs loving and joking around with Ray Allen Great!
Our starters are getting owned by Celtics bench players. Wow.
3rd stringers you mean
The Raps have the lowest defensive IQ of any team. It's like watching retarded kids chase chickens.
Injured? Let the Raptors play you, they never capitalize since they feel sorry for you and will let you win.
The Celtics just showing there discipline, poise and experience ...
Remember sheed was crying about Turk flopping? We saw who the real flopper is. Sheed just tied his hand to hedo and made him get a tech as well by pissing him off.
What a crappy performance. Are these guys afraid of Boston or something? If we put a bunch of circus clowns in Boston uniforms, will the raps just roll over and die?
The Raptors are easily the softest team mentally. I would understand if its guys like Rondo, Pierce and KG getting into their heads, they can do that to anybody. But if its Perkins, Big Baby and House getting into your head and scaring you shietless into believing they own you, you know you are soft.
Can someone tell me how we're not beating a washed-up Ray Allen and Rasheed Wallace and a bunch of scrubs?
Boston is a way deeper team than they're getting credit for on this thread. That doesn't excuse the way the raps are playing, but still.
We're not losing to a top 3 team... We're losing to a team which is worse than us talent wise... This Celtics team would probably have trouble making the playoffs..
If the Wizards are somehow allowed out of their contract with Gilbert Arenas then I think we need to plant a bunch of handguns in the Raptors locker room.
It was the Boston bench that carried them to their title. Their bench is better than many Eastern starting line ups. Again, its no excuse for lackadaisical play, but Boston is 10 deep easy.
Toronto Charmins.
This is some of the most pathetic basketball I have ever seen from the Raptors. I am pretty confident any team in the league could beat the Celtics tonight. The Warriors and Clippers did and that was with Rondo and Garnett in the lineup.
The basketball culture is just SO different in Boston. Their scrubs are just outworking and outsmarting our starting 5.
David Stern to the Head Ref: "The Celtics can't lose 4 games in a row, no it can't"
Although the refs have been **** at times, this loss is justified by Raptors' lack of braincells
Boston's 3rd stringers are straight up killers.
Why do we never complain to the refs? Don't we know that nice teams finish last?
The NBA allows the lobbying of referees and all the good teams do it, let's go!!!
Wow they can body our guards as much they want on drives. We get called on loose ball fouls on FT rebounds....
Wtf is wrong with this ref!!! He calls nothing against Boston
I really hate blaming the refs, but at least pretend that the calls go both ways
This is why the NBA sucks. Playing in Boston makes me think I'm watching WWE cause the refs and league are soo far up the Celtics a** it's not even funny. This team would suck if they didn't get special treatment.
This is what happens when you leave Marcus Banks in the game for too long.
Lmao 4 raptors mauling Perkins
Fixed game! Refs are blinded and bought. The only reason that Raptors cann't get points in the paint is because Refs stopped every single attempt made by Raptors.
How does bargnani get beat by a 35 year old
Boston won't be allowed to lose too many games with their starters out.
Rasheed Wallace is mentally and physically tough dude, like I said no matter the talent disparity on the court tough dirty teams will always win in the end.
If we face the Celtics in the playoffs, there is probably a 97% chance we couldn't even bring one game to a single digit loss.
A heartfelt and sincere SCREW YOU to the referees.
Really, it's a combination of
And Raptors being
Craptors were never really in a game where guys like Scalabrene, Giddens, and Sheldon Williams got decent minutes. Sad.
The refs did not cost us the game that was our own fault with the turnovers and everything but there were a lot of questionable calls in this game and some where the raps clearly got hacked but didn't get the call
The C's are simply a tough bunch of mofos. Their screens hurt us all game.
Including a few illegal ones. But hey, that's what good teams can do and/or get away with.
They make an effort to do the dirty subtle things, and they relish it cuz that's how teams with tough SOBs do, it's in their mental and physical makeup we don't have that or we don't have enough of it on our roster, like talent you can't teach toughness you draft or trade for it
Yeah, looking at the bright side losing this game increases their chances to beat them at home in a week from now...
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The Depleted Celtics Host the Short Handed Raptors
Saturday, January 2, 2010
by FLCeltsFan 2:13 PM
 at 
Toronto Raptors (16-17) at Boston Celtics (23-8)
Saturday, January 2
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #32, Home Game #15
TV: CSN HD, TSN 2, LP 758
Radio WEEI, CJCL
TD Banknorth Garden
Today's Referees: Dan Crawford, John Goble, Josh Tiven
The Celtics will once again be missing several key players. KG, Pierce, Rondo and Daniels are all expected to miss this game. The Raptors will be missing Calderon and Turkoglu. JR Giddens is expected to get the first start of his NBA career in this game, moving Tony Allen over to the starting point guard spot. Playing Tony at the point, let alone starting him there is a very puzzling move. This will be a very interesting game, if nothing else.
The Raptors have won 5 games in a row and would love to keep their streak going. The Celtics have lost 3 in a row and would very much love to stop their streak at 3.
Winning this game isn't as important as making sure that the team is healthy for the stretch run and the playoffs. This game is winnable for the Celtics even with the injuries if the others step up their games.
 Probable Starters
![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/2367.jpg)   ![[image]](http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3730.jpg)
TAllen/ R Allen/ Giddens / Wallace / Perkins
 Probable Starters
![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/2768.jpg) ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/3978.jpg)  ![[image]](http://assets.espn.go.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/1977.jpg) ![[image]](http://assets.espn.go.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/2987.jpg)
Jack/ DeRozan/ Wright/Bosh/ Bargnani
![[image]](http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/detroit/SheedDet.jpg) vs ![[image]](http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/toronto/BoshTor.jpg)
Rasheed Wallace vs Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh has been playing very well in recent games. In the past, he has played timidly against KG, but Sheed probably won't have the same effect on him. Bosh leads all forwards with 24 double doubles and needs nust 39 points to tie Vince Carter as the team's all time leading scorer. This will be a tough matchup for the Celtics and Sheed has got to play inside if he is going to counteract Bosh's play. With Turkoglu and Calderon out, Bosh will be the main scoring threat for Toronto.
Game Notes
• The Suns are currently leading the season series 1-0; Celtics won the season series 2-0 against the Suns in 2008-09
• Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 27.5 points per game last season
• Steve Nash averaged 15.5 points per game in the two match-ups
• It marked the first time since the 2000-01 season that the Celtics had swept the season series.
• The Celtics are leading the all-time series 61-48 with the Celtics 35-18 at home
Keys to The Game
Defense, Defense, Defense The Celtics must find their defense again. They have been allowing way too many open shots and easy baskets recently. They need to get back to what has made them such a tough team. Against the Raptors, they especially need to tighten up their perimeter defense as they are a very good 3 point shooting team.
Rebound The Celtics have to crash the boards on both ends. Defensive rebounds prevent second chance opportunities for the Raptors and Offensive rebounds given them extra shots along with preventing the fast break for the Raptors. Rebounding is mostly effort and desire and the Celtics need to be showing both of those things. Sheed needs to play inside more and forget about the 3 point line.
Take it To the Hoop The Celtics need to take the ball into the paint and either get the score or draw the foul. Quick 3's are not good offense, especially the way they haven't been falling for them recently. They need to run the offense and move the ball and make the extra pass.
X-Factor
Injuries
Both teams have key injuries and the play of the benches and subs will be key to determining which team gets the win.
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