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Game 67/82: Knicks (24-43) @ C’s (42-24)

March 17th, 2010

New York at Boston
7:30 P.M. EST.
TD Garden
Local TV/Radio: CSN/WEEI

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 107.2 points/100 possessions (15th)

Knicks: 106.9 points/100 possessions (18th)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 102.3 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Knicks: 109.9 points allowed/100 possessions (23rd)

Probable NYK starters:

Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington/Bill Walker, David Lee, Toney Douglas, Tracy McGrady

Injury Report

Knicks: OUT: Eddie House (achilles) Wilson Chandler (knee)

Thumbnail: The Knicks return to town once again to finish off a 6-game road swing, riding some momentum after crushing Dallas over the weekend and beating Philly Monday night. They will be shorthanded off the bench with no Chandler and House, which means plenty of run for old friend Bill Walker as well a Chris Duhon sighting in all probability. Meanwhile, the C’s look for their 3rd straight home blowout on St. Patty’s day over an inferior squad, in an attempt to sustain some momentum before an upcoming stretch of 4 games against tough Western foes. » More: Game 67/82: Knicks (24-43) @ C’s (42-24)

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Posted in Previews

Grading The C’s Off The Backboard Dunks

March 16th, 2010

So last night, after Nate Robinson’s off the backboard throwdown, (spare me the ethics lecture, Mike Breen), I couldn’t help but experience a flashback, to what was, in all seriousness, one of the highlights of the 05-06 Celtic season: An off the backboard, tomahawk dunk by the immortal Gerald Green.

Let’s compare that to last night’s throwdown:

Now, a couple things stand out about Gerald’s and Nate’s dunks.

1) TA is really good at throwing dunks off the backboard. Doc needs to find a way to incorporate this more into the offense.

2) As I said earlier, this play was one of the highlights of that 05-06 season. Think about that for a second when everyone, myself included, starts whining about this team, who though they may be floundering, is still 18 games over .500.

A word on the “controversy” surrounding the Robinson dunk and some final thoughts, after the jump » More: Grading The C’s Off The Backboard Dunks

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Posted in Commentary

A Laugher: C’s 119, Pistons 93

March 15th, 2010

ESPN Recap • Piston Powered • Detroit Bad Boys

Back to back Gino sightings? It’s been awhile since we’ve seen the guy in two straight home games, but the Celtics responded tonight on the 2nd half of a back to back, with arguably their best effort, start to finish, of the season in a 26 point victory. Yes, it was against the Pistons, but with so few strong all around performances to point to in the last couple months, any kind of impressive effort is noteworthy at this point. This one, for the 1st half anyway, was a masterpiece.

It started with Paul Pierce tonight. The man came out with a purpose this evening, attacking the basket relentlessly in the first 8 minutes, earning 12 points and 3 trips to the line before exiting to the bench with 2 fouls with 4 minutes left in the frame. By that point, the damage had been done. The rest of the starting unit took a cue from The Captain and were sharp on both ends of the floor.

Ball movement? How does 34 assists sound, a season high. Strong rotations on defense? The best we’ve seen in awhile, just 38 percent shooting in 1st half for the Pistons and only 14 points in the paint. The C’s played stingy and were forcing a bad 3 point shooting team to take nearly a third of their shot attempts from deep early on.  A sense of urgency? Everyone came ready to play, with all 12 players in uniform getting on the board and 7 players scoring in double figures. Attacking the basket? Check. It was pretty to watch.

38 percent shooting for Detroit in the first 24 minutes, 20 percent from deep, 10 turnovers overall. This was a flashback to the last 2 years at home where this crew would tear up inferior opponents in all areas of the floor. The C’s imposed that kind of game at will tonight on this lifeless Piston squad.

The stat of the night though came on the offensive end. Just 1 turnover in the entire 1st half. Zach Lowe might have a heart attack when he sees this one on DVR. Just an incredible number, given how prone this team has been to making mistakes this year.

The Pistons are also one of the better teams in the league in this category, ranking 6th in the league in terms of percentage of miscues forced. Naturally, the C’s had 10 turnovers in the 2nd half, finishing with 11 overall, but those final 24 minutes were garbage time in all honesty. This one was over at halftime. » More: A Laugher: C’s 119, Pistons 93

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Posted in Game Recaps

Celtics Pregame Locker Room Report

March 15th, 2010

Reporting live from the TD Garden, we had a very quiet Celtics locker room in the pregame, where there were no sighting of any of the starting five during media availability.

Instead, we had an extended interview with Doc Rivers in the pregame, who was pretty candid about how much of a “challenge” it has been to coach this team, this year. A few quotes from the session:

On Marquis Daniels’ recent struggles

“He has to play better, point blank. He has to play better and harder….and better. The new guys may have thrown him off but he has to play better. Marquis has it in him, he knows that and I expect that of him. He’s a role player and we need his energy every single night. He can’t afford to ease his way into games, he’s too talented to do that. He’s only going to play 20 minutes a night so he needs to be a factor when he’s in the game.”

On Rasheed Wallace after being asked if he has to play better:

“Yes, absolutely.”

Nice and blunt Doc. I think Doc’s patience is wearing thin on the overpriced center. I wonder if we will see a little more of Shelden tonight against the terrific offensive rebounding Pistons, if Sheed reverts back to his lazy habits.

On the challenges of coaching this team:

” In some ways, it’s very enjoyable, I know that sounds crazy, but it’s a group that you had to get your hands dirty. Push buttons, get on different guys you never thought you would have to, in some ways it’s been very difficult but in some ways It’s a joyous challenge. I’m excited by it in a crazy way, if we can get this right, it’s an unbelievable challenge. If you get it right, it will be an unbelievable feeling at the end.”

More on these quotes after the game, but I think, behind the scenes everyone is having a tough time trying to keep this squad together. More live updates to come, throughout the night from the Garden on press row.

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Posted in Notebook

Game 66/82: Pistons (23-43) @ C’s (41-24)

March 15th, 2010

Kind of wish he'd go back....don't you?

Detroit at Boston
8:00 P.M. EST.
TD Garden
Local TV: ESPN/CSN

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 106.8 points/100 possessions (17th)

Detroit: 104.5 points/100 possessions (23rd)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 102.3 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Detroit: 109.6 points allowed/100 possessions (21st)

Probable Detroit starters:

Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Will Bynum, Jason Maxiell, Jonas Jerebko

Detroit Injuries: Rodney Stuckey and Chris Wilcox are out. Ben Wallace is questionable with a knee injury, but he hasn’t played for last 6 games, so the smart money has him sitting out again, to give Maxiell more run/help the Pistons tank.

Thumbnail: The Celtics come back home for the 2nd game of a back to back, to face the lowly Pistons, who have started to put up a lot of points offensively, since the insertion of Will Bynum in the starting lineup. A younger, athletic team, the Pistons, on paper should be the exact kind of matchup the C’s have problems with on short rest. » More: Game 66/82: Pistons (23-43) @ C’s (41-24)

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Posted in Previews