Rebound effort? Celtics (8-2) at Indiana (3-3) Preview

Posted by Brian Robb on Nov 14, 2009 42463 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F11%2F14%2Frebound-effort-celtics-8-2-at-indiana-3-3-preview%2FRebound+effort%3F+Celtics+%288-2%29+at+Indiana+%283-3%29+Preview2009-11-14+20%3A43%3A24Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D4246

 

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.