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1 day ago

Greg Stiemsma’s Contract To Become Fully Guaranteed

The C’s gave their 26-year-old rookie a vote of confidence before Tuesday’s game. By not waiving the seven-footer, Stiemsma’s contract will become fully guaranteed on Friday, allowing the shot blocker to breath a little bit and perhaps unpack some boxes for good in Beantown. Here’s Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston with some reaction from Stiemsma and [...]

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2 days ago

5 Questions With Kemba Walker

I had a chance to talk with Bobcats rookie Kemba Walker prior to the Celtics game against Charlotte on Tuesday night.  Here is what the UConn star, who is averaging 12.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game had to say. 1. How much communication have you had with Michael Jordan this year? Walker: [...]

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3 days ago

I Am Awesome!

Yes. This is a “pat myself on the back” post because a) I’m a jackass and b) I predicted something correctly. Back on January 8th, I predicted that the next ten games will tell us everything we need to know about this Celtics’ team. If they struggled, it was time to blow it up. If [...]

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3 days ago

Pierce Wins Eastern Conference Player Of Week

One day before he’s scheduled to pass Larry Bird for second on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list, Paul Pierce won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award. Pierce averaged 22 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds in four Boston wins, playing point forward in Rajon Rondo’s absence. Pierce is only 9 points behind Bird [...]

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4 days ago

Garnett’s Wondrous 3-point Rant

Via ESPN Boston’s Chris Forsberg, who knows a great, playful rant when he hears one, here’s Kevin Garnett discussing his not-so-newfound aptitude for three-point shooting after the C’s took down the Grizzlies. “When I walk around the streets, y’all stop acting like y’all shocked that I can shoot 3’s. Everybody in Boston, everybody in the [...]

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4 days ago

5 Questions With O.J. Mayo

I talked with Memphis guard O.J. Mayo prior to the Celtics-Grizzlies, Super Bowl Sunday game at the Garden.  Here is what the 4th year man out of USC, who is averaging 12.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game had to say. 1. You started every game your first two years in the league, [...]

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Preview: Celtics vs. Bulls, Game 4

AP

AP

Today, the Celtics look to get out of the windy city and not have to come back until next year.

“Personally, I don’t want to come back to Chicago, I’m treating this game like we lost Game 3. So it’s going to be my mind-set to go out here and win Game 4 and, hopefully, put it away at home.

“We’ve got the opportunity, definitely. We can’t get any more banged up, hopefully, knock on wood. We’ve got an opportunity to stick a fork in them this next game, and hopefully go back home and finish them off.

“We didn’t come up here and say by winning Game 3 we’ve got home-court advantage back, we can take it easy. That’s definitely not our mind-set – our mind-set is to come up here and win and go home and win one more.”

Words spoken by a veteran leader on a veteran team that knows how to win. Paul Pierce knows that even after trouncing Chicago in game 3, there are no guarantees. By focusing on this game as just one game they have to win, not only will his and others’ killer instincts be in full effect today, but they’ll also be in position to avoid any “winner’s hangover.”

What to watch for…

No limping from Rondo. Who can forget Bill Walker helping Rondo off the floor after game three? I think I heard a collective “what!?” from outside my apartment window as Boston seemed poised for another injured player. Have no fear Celtics fans. Rondo will be fine. He’s had extra time to rest his tired and hurt feet. Look for him to stay aggressive on both ends of the floor. He has either matched or surpassed the play of Derrick Rose this series, so there’s no reason to expect anything else.

Strong play from the Celtics’ bench. Due to the Celtics garnering that big lead by the fourth quarter, the Celtics’ bench got some extended minutes. What’s inspiring about this is that the bench played well and didn’t let the Bulls get anywhere close. Marbury had the best game of the playoffs scoring 13 points and dishing out five dimes. Mikki Moore also had a good game (for him) by not fouling out in 20 minutes. I also look forward to Eddie House heating up and Tony Allen playing through this crazy off-court situation.

The Bulls to step their game up. The Bulls got a gut check the other night when the Celtics took it to them, beating them by 21 points. Look for the Bulls to come out firing. Ben Gordon will attempt a repeat of his game 2 performance by shooting the ball aggressively. Rose will attempt a repeat of his game 1 and slash through the lane whenever an opportunity arises. Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah will play with extremely high energy and hit the glass hard.

What I think will happen. I expect the Celtics to win this game. In the first three games of this series, it’s safe to say we’ve seen each team at their best and the Celtics have the edge in experience. Still, look for the Bulls to play extremely hard, as they are an up-and-coming team that has showed a lot of guts and promise.

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