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13 hours ago

Rondo Replacing Johnson on All-Star Team

The Herald got it right from Rondo’s agent. According to his agent, Bill Duffy, the Celtics point guard has been named to the Eastern Conference All-star roster, presumably to replace Joe Johnson, the injured Atlanta Hawks guard. This would be Rondo’s third all-star appearance. Nice birthday present for RR, who probably should have been selected [...]

2
3 days ago

Comments Deleting?

We apologize if your comments are being deleted (provided that they are not offensive). We are looking into why this is happening. We also want to apologize for the lack of a game thread for last night’s game.  We had a premonition that the Celtics would play that poorly and thought if we pretended the [...]

2
7 days ago

5 Questions With Greg Monroe

I talked with Detroit star forward Greg Monroe prior to the Celtics-Pistons game on Wednesday night.  Here is what the 2nd year big man out of Georgetown, who is averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game had to say. 1. Just your 2nd year in the league, but playing so well, were you disappointed [...]

3
8 days ago

Call for Responses: 5-on-5

Readers! Last week’s responses to the 5-on-5 questions were really, really great. We had way more qualified answers than we were able to use. So we’re going to keep doing it! FOREVER. Here are this week’s questions: 1. Are you concerned about Rondo’s media boycott this week? 2. The trade deadline is less than a [...]

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11 days ago

5 Questions With Ronnie Brewer

I talked with Chicago starting guard Ronnie Brewer prior to the Celtics-Bulls game on Sunday.  Here is what the 6th year man out of Arkansas who is averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists had to say. 1. You guys have a lot of the same players back from last year’s team which was [...]

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13 days ago

5 Questions With Josh McRoberts

I talked to Los Angeles back up big man Josh McRoberts prior to the Celtics-Lakers game Thursday night at the Garden.  Here is what the former Duke Blue Devil, who is averaging 2.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first year in LA, had to say. 1. How have you guys been able to deal [...]

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Game 37/82: Celtics (28-8) v. Rockets (16-21) Open Thread

Houston at Boston
7:30 P.M. ET
TD Garden
CSNNE

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 107.7 points/100 possessions (11th)

Houston: 110.0 points/100 possessions (7th)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 99.3 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Houston: 109.2 points allowed/100 possessions (23rd)

Probable Houston starters: Aaron Brooks (PG), Kyle Lowry (SG), Shane Battier (SF), Louis Scola (PF), Jordan Hill (C)

View From The Opposing Bench: Red94

Thumbnail: Brian Robb is at the Garden and he just gave me the news that Kevin Martin and Brad Miller are not playing tonight.  That brings the number of sidelined players to the grand total of four.  Chuck Hayes, Yao Ming, Brad Miller and Kevin Martin are all out which means the Rockets should not have even gotten off the plane.  These injuries really beg the question:  should I really write a legitimate preview? 

The answer is no.

WHAT THE ROCKETS DO WELL

Make the Rest of the League Feel Bad for Them. The Rockets’ injury woes rival only the Portland Trailblazers.  The truth is that this Rockets team, on paper, is pretty solid.

Get Mediocre Players at Great Value. Back in 2007 the Rockets traded a second round pick and cash to the San Antonio Spurs for Louis Scola.  Aaron Brooks was a late first round pick.  Chuck Hayes and Ishmael Smith were undrafted.  Amazing track record, too bad these players have not translated to a lot of overall success.

WHAT THE ROCKETS DO POORLY

Play Defense. Houston ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency.  A perfect team for the Celtics to play if they want to get their scoring groove back.

Stay Healthy. See above.

PLAYERS THAT MAKE ME WORRY

Louis Scola. This dude has turned into a stud.  Despite being a below-the-rim player, Scola has seen a ton of success in this league because he plays hard and rebounds the ball.  He’s also shooting 49% from the long-two (16-23 foot) area.  To put that number in perspective:  Kevin Garnett is shooting 48%  from the same area this season.  (HoopData.com)


PLAYERS THAT DO NOT MAKE ME WORRY

Everyone Else.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM Cs TONIGHT

  • Dominate the point guard matchup
  • Go inside early and often

PREDICTION

The Celtics get an awesome game to followup their worst loss of the season (was Cleveland worse?).  The Rockets are without their best player and without a couple of key components to their success.  The Celtics should and will win tonight.

Celtics 98, Rockets 85

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