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17 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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 76/82: Celtics (53-23) @ Sixers (40-37) Open Thread

Boston vs. Philadelphia
TD Garden
7:30 PM EST
CSNNE

Offensive Efficiency:
Boston: 106.5 points/100 possessions (18th)
Philadelphia: 106.9 points/100 possessions (17th)

Defensive Efficiency:
Boston: 100.2 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)
Philadelphia: 104.8 points allowed/100 possessions (8th)

Probable Sixers starters: Jrue Holiday (PG), Jodie Meeks (SG), Andre Iguodala (SF), Elton Brand (PF), Spencer Hawes (C)

View from the Opposing Bench: Philadunkia

Thumbnail: Tonight the Boston Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers in what will in all likelihood serve as a preview for the Celtics first round playoff opponent.  If you saw ESPN’s 5-on-5 today, you may have read a few words from wisdom from Brian Robb about this potential matchup:

“Athletic teams have given Boston fits for the past couple of years, and this squad certainly fits the bill. With a balanced starting lineup, a top-10 defense and an explosive bench, the Sixers have the pieces to hang with Boston or Miami in the first round, as long as Lou Williams recovers from his hamstring injury in time.”

BRobb, as per usual, hits the nail on the head.  This season, the Sixers have given the Celtics the most trouble out of any Eastern Conference playoff team.  I know that sounds weird to read but it’s true.  Each game has been incredibly competitive with a total point differential of 8 points  in three games.  Eight points!

Despite the likely impending playoff matchup, neither team is playing with a full deck.  Shaquille O’Neal is out with a strained right calf muscle and coach Doc Rivers will likely play an assortment of semi-injured bigs tonight, including guys that won’t crack the playoff rotation (ahem, Troy Murphy).  Still, all in all, tonight’s game should be pretty fun and is a very winnable game even if Rivers limits the minutes of his starters.

Prediction: Celtics 102, Sixers 96

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