Yup we're going to lose. More importantly, any 1-8 teams have a chance at winning?
On pace, by winning percentage, for 30 wins. That's not bad enough.
That 5 game BS winning streak is going to kill us. Getting a shot at a top 3 pick is all that matters now, but it is not in either Ed's personal best interest.
Jordan said Brand would play and start tonight.
If that means he goes 30 minutes and only scores 2 points again I’m all for it.
At this point the only thing to really look forward to is watching the rookies along with whenever they finally draw the ping pong balls.
Can we get a tally of who gets burned defensively during this game? I can't watch the whole game but it would be interesting to keep track of who gets scored on. If you are playing good d and a guy makes a tough shot that's one thing, but if you are backing off and letting people drop threes on you that's a problem.
They will lose but the pistons are not rolling over and dying for the cavs....on snuggie night.
Jrue leaves Allen wide open for a three.
Allen scores on jrue again.
Not sure how rondo got that wide open. Good thing he missed.
Kg is destroying brand right now.
Jrue leaves Allen wide open … again.
Lou isn’t getting any calls at all. How come Lou never gets foul calls?
Allen gets wide open on a screen. willie’s guy.
I’m going to be very unhappy if we win this game. That’s as blunt as I can put it.
Jesus shuttleworth is on fire.
Nobody can cover ray right now dos have tried, both have failed.
Why does sheed always shoot well against us?
Detroit is up 20 on the cavs!!!
Did Lebron die?
Technical on perk for basically punching elton in the face.
Elton Brand has now completely his total metamorphosis into Chris Webber, from the dead legs, to the black hole that is his offensive game.
Elton just tried to Iguodala his way up the court. I don’t think Andre was pleased
Rondo blows by Lou
I think rondo just blew by Lou again.
Was that the 3rd time in a row that Rondo blew by Lou? This is getting to be a habit
Rondo and Lou show here.
Lou just got double screened. I don’t think i’ve ever seen that. Solid effort — fouled rondo though.
Only down 3 at half. I expect Boston to put up two 30 point quarter winning going away.
If Boston hadn't turned the ball over a dozen times this game would not be close.
Man... Sixers/Celtics game and I didn't even know they were playing... And now that I know I still don't care. These are sad, sad times.
Rondo is the best player on the floor right now.
Celtics fans taking over our home court that makes me this guy: And this guy:
Do you need a hug?
Refs were really really **** this game.
Number 9, number 9, number 9. That used to be a Beatles song, but in 2010 it's very difficult moving down to 8,7,6 or 5 or 4, because all these teams stink. Just give the 76ers the lucky envelope.
Sixers with only 7 FTA's with just under 5 minutes left. Too many jumpshots.
A LOT of no calls, too, along with some mystery fouls called on the Sixers.
Boy, 80 million just doesn't get you what it used to. Pretty much sums up the Sixers.
Ah sweet victory. Another Sixer loss but with everyone else stinking worse than us we don't make up any ground on that top pick.
Nice that it was a respectable loss. Not the obvious tanking that we usually see.
Boston Celtics (38-21) at Philadelphia 76ers (22-38)
Friday, March 5
7:00 PM ET
Game #60 Road Game #32
TV: CSNP, CSN HD, LP 752
Wachovia Center Referees: Joe Crawford, Derrick Collins, Leroy Richardson
This is the 3rd meeting between these two division foes with the Celtics leading the series 2-1. In December, the C’s had their 11 game winning streak snapped by the Sixers 98-97 in the Garden when Elton Brand tipped in the game-winning shot with 7.7 remaining in the game.
The Celtics will try to win their sixth straight in Philadelphia and hand the 76ers a fifth consecutive loss Friday night. The Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10 games while the Sixers are just 3-7 in their last 10. The Sixers are 10-18 at home while the Celtics are 21-10 on the road.
In their last meeting in Philly, the Celtics came away with a 105-74 victory. Pierce led the team with 21 points and Rasheed Wallace, who is a Philly native, hit a season-high six 3s and scored 20 in the Celtics' the most lopsided road win over the 76ers since a 32-point victory March 24, 1995.
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 28.4
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 228
Probable Starters
Rajon Rondo PPG 14.0 9.9 APG 2.5 SPG
Ray Allen 16.3 PPG 2.7 APG .346 3P%
Paul Pierce 17.9 PPG 4.4 RPG 3.2 APG
Kevin Garnett 14.4 PPG 7.4 RPG 0.9 BPG
Kendrick Perkins 10.9 PPG 7.8 RPG 1.8 BPG
Coach: Eddie Jordan
Average Age:26.0
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 214
Probable Starters
Lou Williams 15.0 PPG 4.1 APG 1.4 SPG
Jrue Holiday 6.2 PPG 2.8 APG .385 3P%
Andre Iguodala 17.2 PPG 6.7 RPG 5.8 APG
Thaddeus Young 13.9 PPG 5.3 RPG .2 BPG
Samuel Dalembert 7.6 PPG 9.6 RPG 2.1 BPG
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Lou Williams
Lou Williams has been making the most of his time as a starter this season and has been playing very well. If Rondo takes him for granted, Williams will make him pay.
vs
Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala
Pierce looked very good against the Bobcats and hopefully he will be even better for this one. Pierce's defense will be needed in this game as much as his offense to try to control Iguodala who can be dangerous.
Honorable Mention
Kendrick Perkins vs Samuel Dalembert
Perk has been struggling somewhat lately. This should be a good matchup for him to get his game back on track. Keys to the Game Defense
As I have said before, defense is going to be the key to every game this season and to winning the championship. We are seeing the team slowly getting back to their defensive roots and hopefully that will continue in this game.
Rebound
The Sixers have a good rebounding team and the Celtics have to crash the boards to prevent the Sixers from getting second chance baskets and they also need to crash the offensive boards to keep the Sixers from running the break, which they do well. Boston is last in the NBA with 38.8 rebounds per game and they need to commit more effort to getting the rebounds.
Limit Turnovers
When the Celtics have lost games they should have won and when they have lost big leads, it has mostly been a lot of careless turnovers that turns the tide against them. When they take care of the ball and limit turnovers, they are very hard to beat.
Play 48 Minutes
The Celtics must come out strong and play for 48 minutes. No more blown leads or sluggish starts.
It's been a while since I posted my random thoughts on things. Life somehow gets in the way of blogging at times. Last night I very much enjoyed watching the Heat beat the Lakers. It doesn't really matter who beats them, I just really like watching the Lakers lose.
How crazy is it that tonight will be the second game all season where the Celtics had their full complement of players. With all the injuries and illness on this team it's no wonder they couldn't seem to get going. But it really isn't an excuse because a good team will find ways to win in spite of the injuries.
I like the Finley signing if for nothing else than the Lakers wanted him and now they can't have him. (Have I mentioned lately how much I dispise all things Laker?) Aside from that, it is a great low risk, high reward signing. Finley has been described as one of the best teammates and locker room influences in the league. And he really wants to win another ring. That kind of addition has to give a team a boost. And while I am at it, Happy Birthday to our newest Celtic.
Speaking of boosts. Nate Robinson is like the Energizer Bunny. Just wind him up and let him go and he brings a ton of energy into the game. I can see Nate becoming a fan favorite and hanging around after this season. I was sad to see Eddie go because he is a good guy but as far as what these two bring to the team, I like the addition of Nate. Red's Army posted the numbers for both since the trade and, at least so far, it does appear that Danny made a good decision.
Eddie House: 11-38 from 3, 10.8 ppg
Nate Robinson: 10-19 from 3, 10.8 ppg
But, we can't ignore what Bill Walker is doing in considering the trade, either. I have liked Bill Walker since Danny drafted him and had high hopes for him. I was very disappointed to see him included in the trade. The trade would have worked with just Nate for Eddie and Giddens but they added Walker and Landry. My guess is that NY wanted Walker and he needed to be added to seal the deal. Danny has said that he would consider bringing Walker back. But the way he is playing in NY, I don't see them giving him up. I have flashes of Chauncey Billups and Joe Johnson flashing before my eyes. Trades of young guys who were never given a chance on the Celtics and who later come back to haunt us.
I'm in the middle of reading Tim Donaghy's book and recommend it. There are a lot of things he says in the book that you can see is backed up with what we see from the refs night in and night out. David Stern would like us to believe that everything is wonderful with the refs now that the one rogue ref is gone. But, the things that Donaghy mentions in his book are still going on. I think the NBA needs to clean house from the Commissioner on down. Once I finish the book, I'll post a few excerpts from it and a few more of my thoughts on it.
Oh, and here's a surprise, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has decided he wants to return to the Cavs. Was there ever any doubt? There's no way that you can convince me that this move wasn't agreed on in the original trade. I really hate this loophole. I think they need to change the CBA to include a clause that teams that trade a player can't re-sign them for the rest of the season, not just 30 days. There is too much of this underhanded dealing. The Cavs by doing this basically got Jamison for NOTHING! This is even a bigger sham than the Pau Gasol trade. At least the Grizzlies got a prospect in the other Gasol in return.
The Celtics play the Sixers tonight and I am hoping to see the Celtics take another step up and dominate this team. KG is looking better. Pierce looks healthy. Nate has the bench energized. I love what Quisy brings. I'm still disappointed in Sheed and would rather have Shelden getting some of his minutes but I think Sheed will up his game as the playoffs approach. I'll leave you with a video of some classic Celtics/Sixers moments of the fight between Bird and Dr.J. I love the call from Johnny Most. I just finished his book High Above Courside and highly recommend it. Some good stuff in there. I just love this video. I doubt that there are any Sixers with this kind of passion left on that team.
This was fun! It has been so long since we had a blow out win at home, I had forgotten how it felt. Wow, the first time the Celtics had their full roster all season. That is amazing. Always a lot more fun to gather these when we win.
So we are going to play against Boston Leprechauns
(from wiki:) "Popular depiction shows them as being no taller than a small child." Yup, that sounds right KG is not bigger than that. A lepreclown
Beat the Boston Tankers!
Sadly, I think the way we have been playing lately gives me little reason to expect good things tonight or against the Lakers. Hopefully I am wrong.
The way we have been defending the long ball of late Rondo and Perk are probably good for two a piece.
The Nets beat 'em a few nights ago, ergo, we lose.
This logic makes perfect sense, which means I think we may actually have a chance since our boys tend to defy logic. Really must avoid a season sweep by those punks.
Ray will have to really step up his Defense tonight against Rondo. Not a real easy matchup for him I think.
Oh no! I have the Celts feed tonight - which means I have to endure their tool bag announcers. They are maybe THE worst two announcers in the history of the universe.
Steve Martin just called Rondo the "Steve Nash of the East"
Teams that play decent defense scare me considering our offense.
What's the over/under of KG attempting to get in a fight with Tyrus? Of course KG will back down, but it’ll be interesting since Nazr won’t be the guy to go at it with KG
Seriously did we learn nothing about leaving Nate Robinson unguarded at the three point line? See the last Bobcats vs Knicks game.
So much for LB laying down the "stop complaining" rule. All Felts, Jax and Crash have done during the 1st is piss, moan and remonstrate with the refs
We suck. And the Celtics announcers make me sick
Can someone please guard NATE
I'm about 1 more turn over and missed shot away from flicking over to American Idol for the rest of the night.
You know what would be really nice? If the city of Boston fell off the Earth
Then where would all the non-southern racists live? They'd probably all move to Canada.
Shoot even sheed can make a shot against us that’s a marker for how bad our d is playing, huh?
was KG running his mouth again
Does it ever close?
Chandler is cheering like crazy on the bench... Which is awesome. Gotta make a contribution somehow.
Our very own 12 million dollar cheerleader!!
Augustine is eating Rondo's lunch!!
Is it bad that I am sitting here hoping the Celtics announcer has a heart attack mid call?
I hate kg!
We are not good in close games on the road much less come from behind. We will make a push but I don't see us winning this one.
At halftime Stephen Graham led the team in shot attempts with 8. Can someone please slap him back to reality and tell him to stop shooting please?
What the hell kind of call is that? A Ray Allen got caught on a switch, so we'll bail him out call?
KG has to have the most f***s picked up by the floor mics in the league
I can't stand Paul Pierce.
ain't noone gonna mess with JAX
To allow the man who bejeweled his own head that bucket is unacceptable
Somwhow we can't play Boston this year at all.
Boston looks like a contender tonight. Can't blame the rotations on this one.
Pierce just working everyone tonight. They're tough to stop when he's on like that.
Bill Russell a better athlete than Wilt? Spoken like a true Celtics homer
You know.... I don't think there in a single person on the Celtics roster that I like. Not a single one
Don't understand how people have hated Rondo forever, but it is so, so there must be something I'm just missing.
I don't hate Rondo, I just don't like him that much. I guess he's just guilty by association?
OKay, I can pretty much agree with that then. I loved Allen in Seattle, KG in Minnesota and Pierce solo (or with Antoine) in Boston, but the 3 of them together is too much.
Speaking of hate-able players... Nate Robinson for 3
Today has already been hard on me, I planned on enjoying a good game and got.....this.
The aggregate score from our two games at the Garden is going to be absolutely brutal.
Tyrus Thomas eats Brian Scalabrines for breakfast. Those following bowel movements are better players than the real Brian Scalabrine
Thomas shouldve laid shelden Williams out even worse
Hmmm, I didn't realize you could lean 2 ft off center into a guy going to the rim and it be a charge? Must be one of those Bohstahn things.
It's a Dick Bavetta thing
Thank God that's over. What a beatdown.
Steve Martin: Have you ever had that uncle that always comes to visit and when he does you know it's going to be an awful 3 hours
Dell: O-ho-ho, no question.
What a brutal game. The only good thing is the beatdown lasted only 2.5 hours.
30 minute Bobcats live preview and postgame means ~3 hours of the awful uncle
Oh yes. Lets rack up them losses. I want Wall or Cousins so bad I can taste it. Wouldn't be upset with Turner, Wesley Johnson or Favors either. Please don't take the European kid though. Pleeease. I don't want anymore Darkos.
We narrowly avoided losing to the Nets a few weeks ago, and they may be motivated to avoid being the losingest team in NBA history. *knock on wood*
I wouldn't count on a loss for Detroit. Boston has been playing some wildly inconsistent basketball lately.
Possible. The Celt play loosing ball recently. Especially in the 4th qs. Then, again, so do we.
Is Pierce still out? If so, then it depends on Ben beating up Garnett, Rip and Allen wearing each other out, and how many threes we can bait Rasheed into...
It really looks like, by now, we are "fighting" for a good lotto pic (only a game or two away from #3 pic).
Secretly hopes Rondo has a huge night for my fantasy
Sheed is coming back to haunt us.
Celtics are trying to show the nets game was a fluke
Today's LBJ news made me think...By changing to #6 is he just trying to be more like ben Wallace?
You can’t leave Ray Allen open for 3 like that.
So the Celtics are looking pretty rough these days.
I love watching Paul Pierce fail
Will Bynum making use of his height advantage over nate Robinson.
Daye is torturing Pierce
Somehow Austin Daye is currently our scoring leader. I watched it happen and I still don’t believe it
Do you think Prince is happy the Pistons have Daye? So Prince isn’t the skinniest guy on the team? When those guys stand next to each other, it looks like the number 11.
Garnett actually makes a basket and of course he starts jawing. I can’t wait for Maxiell to eat some of his babies.
I hate KG.
Daye/Detroit is lucky they didn't call that foul. That woulda been a 4 point play by Paul.
No defense and no rebounding makes Garrett something something…..
Hearing McHale pontificate on the C’s makes me want to punch his fat melon.
Celtics horribad rebounding shows
Their lack of rebounding is actually funny
Tayshaun rises from the grave
We all know KG is on his last...well... Leg. Tell him to get the diaper off his leg, and then he’ll be as good as Jonas. Since he got his ring, he doesn’t have half the heart Jerebko has
There goes another ankle
If someone rolls another ankle Our next cast is free
This is crazy. I’ve never seen anything like this in 20 years of watching basketball.
20 years? Damn, old ass I’m practically geriatric.
Not as old as Boston's roster
God, I love watching a dejected Celtics team Their misery SUSTAINS ME.
Marquis Daniels has luxurious girl hair
LOL at Nate Robinson pulling down an offensive board over Maxiell
Why did nate get the reb. ITS NATE CMON
Perkins not playing allows Detroit to get away with Max at center. Up until that ridiculous hook shot, Max was un-noticeable on the floor. Which is good for him, cuz it means he isn't messing anything up.
Glen Davis looks like Carlton from Fresh Prince …if he were morbidly obese.
Nate Robinson bringing some heat
Hate to say it but Big Baby and Nate Robinson have been the difference.
Damn, Rip had Ray blanketed and he still stuck that difficult turnaround J......
Pierce bulldozed Ben and JJ out of the paint
Rondo hit 2 fts in a row?
A 59.5% FT shooter put us away by sinking 4 straight.
Wow ray allen just tripped on his cane
Sit your a** down Tony Allen Only reason you’re still on the Celtics is because no one else in the league thinks your tired a** has any value
at Boston Celtics (36-21) at Detroit Pistons (21-38)
Tuesday, March 2
7:30 PM ET
Game #58, Road Game #31
TV: FSD, CSN-NE, NBA LP 751-752
Palace of Auburn Hills
Referees Greg Willard, Jason Phillips, Haywoode Workman
After losing to the lowly Nets at home, the Celtics have a lot to prove. The adjectives that they used to describe their performance in that game ranged from disappointed to disgusted. If losing to a 5 win team and being booed by your home team isn't a wake up call for this team, I don't know what is.
Detroit has had their own struggles this season and are 4-6 in their last 10 games while the Celtics aren't much better with 5-5 in their last 10. The Celtics are 20-10 on the road while the Pistons are 14-16 at home. This is the 2nd of 3 games between these old foes with the Pistons winning their first meeting in Detroit 92-86. The Celtics have been playing better on the road than at home so hopefully they can get it together, even without Perk, and pull out a win in this one. Probable Starting Matchups Point Guard Rajon Rondo vs Rodney Stuckey
Shooting Guard Ray Allen vs Rip Hamilton
Small Forward Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince
Power Forward Kevin Garnett vs Jonas Jerebko
Center Rasheed Wallace vs Ben Wallace
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Rodney Stuckey
The Pistons have had a lot of problems and questions but one thing is for sure, they see Rodney Stuckey as their point guard of the future. We have seen in many games that as Rondo goes, so go the Celtics. The Celtics need Rondo to be aggressive and to set the tempo the team.
vs
Ray Allen vs Rip Hamilton
Hamilton is one of the few Pistons who remains from the old days. There have been some good battles between these two shooting guards, both of whom are very good at running off screens. Rip is the reason that Ray began wearing the shooting sleeve because 2 years ago in the playoffs, Rip was digging Ray's arm up with his long fingernails. Let's hope that Ray's shooting stays hot in this game.
Honorable Mention
Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince
These two players have also had some good battles over the years. Pierce is expected to return from his thumb injury and even when healthy, Prince has bothered him in the past because of his length.
Rasheed Wallace vs Ben Wallace
With Perk out with the flu, these two former teammates will be matched up against each other at center. The Celtics have been talking about moving Sheed more into the post and this is as good a chance as any to do it.
Keys to the Game
Defense
Play 48 minutes
Run the Offense
Attack the Basket
Rebound
X-Factor Focus - especially on the defensive end. If the Celtics expect to come anywhere near the Finals this season they need to get their focus back on team ball and especially on team defense. The question is, are they capable of doing it.
And this guy: 
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at ![[image]](http://images.footballfanatics.com/productImages/_255000/FF_255321_l.jpg)
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Rajon Rondo vs Rodney Stuckey ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/3235.jpg)
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Ray Allen vs Rip Hamilton ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/294.jpg)
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Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/1724.jpg)
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Rasheed Wallace vs Ben Wallace ![[image]](http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/885.jpg)
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