Boston Celtics (5-1) at Oklahoma City Thunder (3-2)
Sunday, November 7
7:00 PM ET
Game #7 Road Game #3
TV: NBA-TV, CSNNE, FSOK, NBAC
Radio: WEEI, WWLS
Oklahoma City Arena
Referees: Ron Garretson, Olandis Poole, Sean Wright
This is the first game of a tough 4 game road trip for the Celtics. It is also the first of back to back games with a game vs the Mavericks looming on Monday night. The Thunder are 1-1 at home while the Celtics are 1-1 on the road. These two teams will meet again for the second and final time on November 19 in Boston.
The Thunder are 51-66 overall and 29-29 at home all time versus the Celtics, including their time in Seattle as the Sonics. The Thunder are the 3rd youngest team in the league with an average age of 24 years old. They are 2-0 so far against Eastern Conference teams, having already beaten the Bulls and Pistons.
The Thunder haven't exactly been a defensive juggernaut so far, allowing 106.4 points per game. They have been aggressive on offense along with getting friendly whistles from the refs in that they are averaging a league high 34.8 free throws per game. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are a combined 82-90 from the line in their 5 games. The friendly whistles for Durant didn't escape Kevin Garnett's attention last seas as he had this to say after a loss to them last season, "I thought we were playing Michael (expletive) Jordan the way he was getting the whistle. Durant damn near shot more free throws than our whole team."
The first thing that struck me when reading through the comments was how much Bulls fans hate Rajon Rondo. Rondo is the one player most fans like on the Celtics but I guess Bulls fans see Rondo as a threat to Derrick Rose, who seems to always seems to come up short against Rondo. There was a lot of complaining about the refs and I think there was more hatred toward their own team than toward the Celtics. That always blows me away when fans hate on their own players. It's not like they have a team full of Mark Blounts. Also some early dissatisfaction with Thibs. I think my favorite comment was this one: "We need someone to remind Ray Allen he's old." What's yours?
While Ronda does excel in many areas over Rose (better rebounder, defender,and dropping dimes at a Stocktonian clip), the reason why ultimately I choose Rose over Rondo every day of the week is simple: scoring ability.
I, for one, do not endorse degrading all women by associating a lady-name with the despicable likes of Rajon Rondo
I will use someone's suggestion and just state this: Rajon Randa can go hang himself.
First, the Good News. As of tonight's game, the Celtics no longer have to keep Delonte on the active list during his suspension. The rule is that in suspensions up to 5 games, the suspended player must remain on the active list but if the suspension goes over 5 games, then the player can be placed on the inactive list for the remainder of the suspension. So, tonight, if either Bradley or Shaq is healthy enough to play, the Celtics could have 12 available healthy players for the first time this season.
Chicago Bulls (2-2) at Boston Celtics (4-1)
Friday, November 5
8:00 PM ET
Game #6, Home Game #4
TV: ESPN, SNET1, CSN-C, CSNNE
Radio: WEEI, WMVP
TD Garden
Referees: Marc Davis, David Guthrie, Tom Washington The Celtics will welcome a couple of familiar faces when the Bulls come to visit the Garden. Tom Thibodeau, who was credited with the defense that led the Celtics to their 17th championship is now the head coach of the Bulls. Brian Scalabrine, who was a fan favorite in Boston for 5 seasons, has joined Thibs in Chicago.
For obvious reasons, Tom Thibodeau is very familiar with the Celtics offensive and defensive schemes. Will that give him an advantage in preparing his team to play the Celtics? It will be interesting to see if his familiarity with the Celtics system is enough to get his new team past his old team.
The Celtics catch a break in that they come into this game after a day off while the Bulls are playing in the second of back to back games, having faced the Knicks the night before. This is the first of 4 meetings between these two teams this season.
The Bulls come to town tonight and with them comes old friend Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. But dont think this means the C's arent ready for him. They know that, despite Thibs "running of the Bulls", they have a foundation in place with players who are focused and ready to execute on both ends of the floor.
The prevailing sentiment on the Bucks boards in this one was a universal hatred for KG, Pierce and Big Baby. Everybody loves Rondo, however. Bucks fans don't really like their team very much. There was a lot of Salmons, Jennings, and Gooden bashing throughout the comments. It amazed me that they felt that Bogut was completely innocent in that scuffle with KG and that KG should have been ejected while Bogut should get a medal. Hope you enjoy today's Comments from the Other Side....
Man, I just cannot wait to see what Drew Gooden can do against KG!
This could be bad.
We're on ESPN, so it's a guaranteed loss.
I don't think it's impossible that we win, I'd give us a 33% chance
I have a feeling we might just bounce back.
I hate to say it but I think we lose big. Rondo has been amazing setting up everyone on the team for easy shots, and we have very little team chemistry.
Milwaukee Bucks (1-3) at Boston Celtics (3-1)
Wednesday, November 3
8:00 PM ET
Game #5, Home Game #3
TV: ESPN, NBAC, FSNWI, CSNNE
Radio: WTMJ, WEEI
TD Garden
Referees: Ed Malloy, Bennie Adams, Kevin Fehr Last Season these two teams split the series 2‐2 with both teams winning on the other’s home court. Kevin Garnett led the C’s with an average of 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his two appearances while Rajon Rondo averaged a double‐double with 16.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Andrew Bogut led the Bucks with an average of 25.0 points, 15.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. John Salmons averaged 16.3 points per game in his three contests against the Celtics.
Both teams are playing in the second of back to back games and both had to travel the night before so neither will have the advantage of playing on a day's rest. The Celtics are coming off a fairly easy win over the Pistons while the Bucks are coming off a loss to the Blazers.
Doc has said that he expects Shaq to play in this one but that will probably be a game time decision, or at least after shoot around. Whether Doc will put Shaq back into the starting unit or bring him off the bench will be interesting to see. Semih Erden played well in his debut and may see minutes as well.
The Pistons fans sure seem like a defeated bunch. Like every other fan base, the theme is how old the Celtics are. Lots of love for Rondo from the Pistons fans, though. I loved the comment about how the Pistons couldn't even out rebound Big Baby and Turkish Guy but I think my favorite comment was talking about how Q (Piston's coach) has no heart or brain and they hope to fix that when they play the Wizards. That one had me cracking up. I hope you enjoy today's Comments from the Other Side.
All the injuries + DNP's for Monroe and Summers = short rotation tonight. Daye on KG could be a joke of a matchup to watch....
After the 3rd quarter, Pistons 88 - Celtics 75. I hope BG roasts the Celtics and co just like he did as a Bull.
Ray Allen should not be able to guard BG. I expect a big game tonight
Boston has been all over the map. They smacked Miami, lost to the Cavs and then narrowly pulled one out against the knicks. They should destroy us, but you never know.
BTW - we get a Big Ben vs Shaq matchup. I wonder what the record for the oldest combined age for starting centers is. There can't be many 36 vs 38 year old matchups
Anybody vs. Kareem in his final year? Or maybe Mutombo, since he was like 47 years old. :)
These games will make sure that some late season push does not cost us a high pick...go pistons...
"If your heart is not in it, you are in the wrong job. The bible says, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart...' Colossians 3:23" - Charlie Villanueva, via Twitter.
It seems that Villaneuva's body does not read the bible.
Boston Celtics (2-1) at Detroit Pistons (0-3)
Tuesday, November 2
7:30 PM ET
Game #4, Road Game #2
TV: CSNNE, FSD, LP 754/755
Radio: WEEI, WDFN
Palace of Auburn Hills
Referees: Bob Delaney, Derrick Collins, Violet Palmer
The Celtics travel to Detroit to take on their long time foes, the Detroit Pistons. Both teams should be well rested as the Celtics have been off since Friday and the Pistons have been off since Saturday. Both teams are playing in the first of back to back games with the Celtics facing the Bucks at home on Wednesday while Detroit moves on to Atlanta. Because of the back to back situations, both teams should be looking to get some quality minutes from their benches.
The Celtics will be playing for the first time with Jermaine O'Neal in the starting lineup because Shaq stayed in Boston to rest his injured knee. Hopefully playing with the starters will help Jermaine get his game back on track. We should also get to see Semih Erden's debut as with Shaq out and a game the next night, they will need an extra big man.
The Pistons have some injury problems of their own with Rip Hamilton listed as questionable and Charlie Villanueva listed as a game time decision after minor injuries in their last game. Replacing Hamilton with Gordon may be a blessing in disguise for the Pistons, however, since Gordon has been shooting 77% in his first two games while Hamilton has been struggling.
In this vid Jermaine talks about starting tomorrow night vs the Pistons. Shaq will travel with the team but most likely will not dress after banging knees with Amare Stoudamire last Friday vs the Knicks. Shaq has been sitting out practices, but swimming with Perk to rehab and keep loose. Semih Erden will see hefty minutes backing up Jermaine and most likely Glen Davis who will see some spot mins at Center.
