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12 hours 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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1 day 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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2 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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2 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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3 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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3 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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Rebound effort? Celtics (8-2) at Indiana (3-3) Preview

 

AP

AP

Boston at Indiana
7:00 P.M.
Conseco Fieldhouse
CSN

Opposing viewpoint: Eight Points Nine Seconds

Boston: 108.8 points/100 possessions (8th);

Indiana: 101.0 points/100 (23rd)

Defensive Efficiency

Boston: 93.0 points allowed/100 possessions (2nd)

Indiana: 101.0 points/100 (9th)

Injury Report:

Celtics: OUT: Bill Walker, Tony Allen, Glen Davis QUESTIONABLE: Paul Pierce

Pacers: OUT: Jeff Foster, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Travis Deiner QUESTIONABLE: T.J Ford

A quickie preview this afternoon, with an early start time in Indy tonight. Let’s do some quick hits here.

WHAT THE PACERS DO WELL/DID WELL LAST YEAR

They get to the line at a decent clip, are a top 10 in rebounding on the offensive glass (uh oh) and Jim O’Brien has them defend well, ranking in the top 10 among multiple categories in the four defensive key factors.

WHAT THE PACERS DO POORLY/DID POORLY LAST YEAR

They can’t shoot from downtown, (29.8 percent) and can’t shoot from anywhere for that matter (43.2 percent overall from the field). With Troy Murphy out, they will have a tough time putting points up tonight from the perimeter.

PLAYER WHO MAKES ME WORRY

Danny Granger. He takes way too many 3′s for my liking (2nd in league) but is a terrific all around offensive player. Paul and/or Marquis will have their hands full with him tonight.

PLAYER WHO DOES NOT MAKE ME WORRY

Dhantay Jones. He has had a strong start this year, averaging 15 points a game, but still can’t shot a lick. The C’s should be able to contain him.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’s TONIGHT

Rebound, rebound rebound. Also setting the tone in the early going, getting Rondo more involved offensively and some better, perhaps more selective shooting from downtown after a 1 of 15 effort from deep last night. Prediction and final thoughts after the jump.

PREDICTION:

The C’s should be hungry tonight coming off the disappointing Atlanta loss, but they also could very likely be shorthanded without The Captain. Luckily, for the C’s Indiana is missing a lot of key contributors as well so the C’s will have a major edge even without Pierce. Indy has given Boston trouble when they hosted them last year, so look for them to hang tough, but I expect a motivated C’s to get back on the winning track. Celtics 97 Pacers 89.

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