Washington Wizards (21-38) at Boston Celtics (39-21)
Sunday, March 7
8:00 PM
Game #61, Home Game #29
TV: ESPN, CSN-NE, The Score, Comcast Sportsnet
Radio: WEEI, WJFK
TD Garden
Referees:
Derrick Stafford, Brian Forte, Leon Wood
This is the 3rd of 4 meetings between these two teams with the Celtics winning the first 2 in Washington. The Wizards team that the Celtics will see in this game bears little resemblance to the team they played earlier in the season. Gone are Arenas, Crittendon, Butler, Jamison and Haywood.
The The Wizards are 4-6 in their last 10 games and just 9-19 on the road. The Celtics are 7-3 in their last 10 and 17-11 at home. The Celtics should have Michael Finley in uniform for this game. It will be interesting to see how Doc works him into the rotation.
The Wizards have lost 2 games in a row while the Celtics are on a 3 game win streak. The Celtics have started to show some of the swagger that we saw in the past two season which been missing for much of the season. Celtics fans are hoping that this is just the beginning of a big win streak. The Wizards did a big salary dump and are jockeying for position in the lottery.
But, as with any team in the NBA, it seems to get personal when they play the Celtics. The Celtics can't take this team for granted and must come out ready to play.
ProbableStarters
PG SG SF PF C
Rajon Rondo/Ray Allen/Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett/Kendrick Perkins
Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
Randy Foye/Mike Miller/Al Thornton/Andre Blatche/JaVale McGee
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Randy Foye
As in most games, the point guard matchup is key. Foye has a height advantage but Rondo has a quickness advantage.
vs
Ray Allen vs Mike Miller
Mike Miller is a scorer and is shooting 55% from the floor. Ray will need to contain Miller while hitting his shots to make Miller work on defense.
Honorable Mention
Nate Robinson vs Earl Boykins
This is a battle between two mighty might point guards and should be fun to watch. This may be the one and only time where Nate actually has a height advantage. Keys to the Game Defense - We are finally seeing a more consistent defensive effort from the Celtics over their last 3 games. They have to continue to to make defense a priority because defense wins games and championships.
Rebound - The Celtics are one of the worst rebounding teams in the league and because of that they give up way too many second chance points and fast breaks. They need to make a concerted effort to crash the boards.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have been better recently about playing consistently. They need to continue to come out strong and not let up until the end. Celtics fans would love to see Gino again in this game.
We should get our first look at Michael Finley in a Celtics uniform today. Word is that he will wear #40 following in the footsteps Terry Duerod, Carlos Clark, Dino Radja, Travis Knight, Tony Battie, Calbert Cheaney, Rick Brunson, and Joe Forte. Doc has said that he doesn't know how he will use him in the rotation but couldn't pass up a guy with that much experience and character.
Finley is certain he will be able to earn a spot in the rotation. The big question is whose spot will he earn. Maybe Doc will finally limit the minutes of the starters. We have quality players at each position coming off the bench. They are coming together and we have seen a couple of games where the bench came through to win the game when the starters struggled. I can see Finley being this season's PJ Brown and believe that he will come through for the team with big shots in more than one game.
Today's game against the Wizards is noteworthy for one thing. It may be the only game all season when Nate Robinson has a height advantage over the opposing player. The match-up between Nate and Earl Boykins should be fun to watch.
Today's Lakers at Magic game is a tough one. On the one hand I don't want Orlando to win so the Celtics can catch them for the second spot. On the other hand, I NEVER want the Lakers to win. In the end, my 4 decades of Laker hatred will win out and I'll be rooting for the Magic.
The Knicks were 0-18 from beyond the arc last night. Maybe they should give up on 3's for awhile. I have been reading a lot of comments from Knicks fans about how they don't like Eddie House. He is a very steaky shooter and he isn't hitting right now. Bill Walker on the other hand seems to be a big hit.
I'm still reading Tim Donaghy's book and I got to the section where he is naming names and giving evidence to back up his claims that referees do have agendas and can and do influence games. It's not just my imagination when the calls go against the Celtics. The refs as a whole don't like Wyc and the calls will go against the Celtics whenever they can. And, as I have always believed, a lot of the agendas come down from the top and the refs are very good at manipulating games to accomplish those agends. I really do recommend this book. A lot of people have written off Donaghy as a rogue ref but what I read here is a guy who let his addiction get out of hand and now is making amends. The things he talks about just make too much sense when you watch the games.
I leave you with a look at the newest Celtic, Michael Finley.
Last week I talked about Danny's options after he professed in the media that this summer's approach would depend upon the team's performance during the rest of the season. He offered that the activity could be small changes, more substantial changes, or an out and out start to rebuilding. Ya gotta admit that he left his options open there.
Last time I covered the tweak (little moves), re-tool (more and bigger moves) and laid out a strategy for a demolition priming the pump for rebuilding. The strategy was relatively simple--move everyone not expected to be a strong rotation player in two years (Rondo, Perkins, and Marquis, jury still out on Nate) for assets that might be best-termed futures-options. In this scenario un- or minimally protected picks from current contenders are most valuable if well into the future. Even from the downtrodden an unprotected pick in three years is better than a highly protected pick now (you don't get it now but you do get it the first year it is mediocre.)
To repeat the strategy--the Over-the-Hill Gang is gone and no borderline veterans remain, retain only players in the rotation on a good team three years from now, and stockpile picks. The remainder of the squad will be tryouts picked on potential and possible future contributions. But, you say, the oldsters are not moveable, we have no extra picks and ours are at the bottom of the rounds, and we have no blue chips to barter--only bit parts from the bottom of the refuse bin. Good points all, but as always the devil is in the details and here are some ways it might be done.
The following tactics depend in large part on timing. There are 8 cap-cleared teams with a dozen slots for half a dozen stars, there are going to be some impulse buyers whose fan bases expect a big splash and there aren't enough splashes to go around. The economy has brought reversals in the fortunes of some of the billionaire owners, half-filled arenas, plummeting revenue streams, and some struggling franchises in full panic mode. The approaching CBA negotiations bring the specter of a lockout, salary rollbacks, and cutting the thinner pie into smaller slices. Each of these areas offers some opportunities to Trader Dan and his mad scientist ways. Combine these environmental factors with the needs of individual teams (or owners, GM's, or coaches) to make the impossible do-able.
Now for the nuts and bolts. Scal, Williams, Finley, and both Allen’s don't get resigned. Big Baby and probably Marcus Landry (who we haven't seen enough of) are moved for picks or potential. Really we are down to trying to turn Big Baby, Sheed, Garnett, and Pierce (shhhhh!) into future assets rather than ride their salaries down with the ship.
Garnett is usually considered untradeable. Even contemplating the trade of Pierce is considered a mortal sin. Rasheed will be a challenge unless you can market him as an immoveable antique object. Big Baby is an inherently flawed tweener. All we want to do is convert this collection into silk purses.
So what are the possible placements that would wring value from this cast? In each case I tried to combine factors where possible. For some players there is a local cachet in that they may provide a particular fan draw (think Los Angeles for Paul Pierce). Certainly there is need, or fit, that enhances the value. Desperation (on the part of the acquiring franchise) is a nice plus. As an example I would use New York failing on LeBron and the other big names but they have no draft picks left to frivol away. How about Golden State? There is a franchise in disarray; think they might be eager to get out from under some of those rookie contracts that are rapidly escalating?
How about a couple of possible moves? Say Miami misses out on the big names, would their desperation to keep Wade make Pierce or Garnett attractive. If they are in win now mode adding Garnett might make Beasley available as a project with the payoff too far in the future. If Garnett continues to make small improvements in his health and timing, the Heat might feel he and Wade could take them to the Promised Land. Another alternative is Paul and Big Baby who might help replace Beasley. Could either of these packages pry away #1's in 2013 and 2015?
Paul would also be a real draw in Los Angeles. For the Lakers it would have to be a cap-legal trade and I don't see anything on their roster for the future unless it would be Bynum. The Clippers provide an interesting case. Pierce would be a great draw to compete with the Fakers, would fill a position of need, and would be going back to his hometown. Blake Griffin is coming back from complicated surgery and may be of limited use next year. The Celtics could afford to wait. The Clippers with the aging Kaman and Davis at center and point, might be in more of a hurry.
Larry loves Sheed. Wonder if Mikie does? Brown doesn't trust youngsters. Augustin, Henderson, and Ajinca works for the cap balancing. Can we pry a future pick as well?
If Golden State has soured on Brandan Wright and shies at his climbing salary, a swap for Big Baby works straight up. He may never realize it but Wright certainly has more potential than Davis.
Sacramento is rebuilding but seems to have little attraction for young stars hungry for a title. With the cap room might they find Garnett a ticket draw, excellent influence on their young big men, and perhaps a quick start to relevance. A swap for Garcia and far future picks works.
The past week has seen some improvement in the play of the Celtics. They are beating teams they should beat. They aren't slaughtering them but they are playing with more fire and urgency. The addition of Nate has been an injection of energy and with his hot shooting it makes the move look excellent. It reinforces my belief that it is unlikely that the team is dismantled this summer. However I must admit that the recent success made this investigation of just how that might be done much more enjoyable to write.
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