Archive for the ‘Previews’ Category

Memphis at Boston
7:30 PM EST.
TD Garden
Local TV/Radio: CSN/WEEI

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 106.8 points/100 possessions (14th)

Memphis: 108.5 points/100 possessions (12th)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 101.8 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Memphis: 109.3 points allowed/100 possessions (23rd)

Probable Grizzlies starters:

Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley

Injury Report for Grizz: OUT: Ronnie Brewer, Steven Hunter QUESTIONABLE: Zach Randolph (back)

Thumbnail: The Celtics come back home on the 2nd night of a back to back to face the upstart Grizzlies, who are still battling for the 8th seed out West. It was an entertaining back and forth affair the last time these two met with the C’s getting the win down south, but with Memphis winning their last six road contests, Boston better be ready to shake off the fatigue and battle with one of the most formidable front lines in the Western Conference. » More: Game 63/82: Memphis (33-31) @ C’s (40-22)

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 106.9 points/100 possessions (14th)

Milwaukee: 104.5 points/100 possessions (23rd)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 101.9 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Milwaukee: 102.8 points allowed/100 possessions (3rd)

Probable Milwaukee starters:
Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut, John Salmons, Carlos Delfino, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

Thumbnail:The Celtics try to make it five in a row against a team that is playing excellent basketball as of late.  In their past ten game, the Bucks have gone 9-1 including wins against Cleveland (sans LeBron) and 20+ point wins against Miami (sans Wade) and New Orleans (eeeesh).  Their only loss in the past ten games? A four point loss to Atlanta…in overtime.

» More: Game 62/82: Celtics (40-21) @ Bucks (33-29)

Washington at Boston
8:00 P.M. EST.
TD Garden
Local TV/Radio:ESPN/WEEI

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 107.1 points/100 possessions (13th)

Wizards: 104.9 points/100 possessions (23rd)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 102.0 points allowed/100 possessions (1st)

Wizards: 109.2 points allowed/100 possessions (21st)

Probable WAS starters:

Mike Miller, Randy Foye, Al Thornton, Andray Blatche, Javale McGee

Injury Report

Wizards: OUT: Josh Howard (torn ACL), Gilbert Arenas, Javaris Crittenton (guns)

Thumbnail: The Celtics try to extend their 3 game winning streak by hosting Washington who is surprisingly 4-5 after trading half their roster before the trade deadline last month. » More: Game 61/82: Wizards (21-38) @ C’s (39-21)

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston: 107.1 points/100 possessions (13th)

Philadelphia: 105.6 points/100 possessions (21st)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston: 102.1 points allowed/100 possessions (2nd)

Philadelphia: 109.2 points allowed/100 possessions (22nd)

Probable Philadelphia starters:

Lou Williams, Jrue Holliday, Thaddeus Young, Sam Dalembert, Andre Iguodala

Thumbnail: The C’s finish their season series against the disappointing Sixers and look to play their second straight solid game.

WHAT THE SIXERS DO WELL

• Stand pat at the trade deadline.

• Have an awkward mix of coaching system (Eddie Jordan’s Princeton offense) and personnel. It’s too early to deem the experiment a total failure, but we’re getting closer to that point.

• Offensive Rebounding. This may be the only area in which Philly performs significantly better than league average. Only four teams grab a higher percentage of available offensive rebounds, according to Basketball Reference. This will be a good test for the C’s, who have been inconsistent on the defensive glass all season.

• Protect the rim. Philly is holding opponents to 59.9 percent shooting at the rim, a tick better than league average. Sam Dalembert and Elton Brand form an occasionally imposing front line, though Brand is questionable for tonight’s game.

• Force turnovers. The Sixers aren’t the turnover-forcing machine they were last season, but they still rank in the top 10 here. We know where the C’s rank in terms of turnovers.

WHAT THE SIXERS DO POORLY.

• Defend the three. Philly opponents have hit 40.2 percent of their three-point attempts. Let’s put this number into context to show how truly awful it is. » More: Game 60/82: C’s (38-21) @ 76ers (22-38)

The first Celtics' Casualty of the Charlotte Bobcats

Offensive Efficiency:

Boston:106.9 points/100 possessions (13th)

Charlotte: 103.9 points/100 possessions (24th)

Defensive Efficiency:

Boston:102.3 points allowed/100 possessions (2nd)

Charlotte:103.5 points allowed/100 possessions (5th)

Probable Charlotte starters:

Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton, Boris Diaw, Theo Ratliff

Thumbnail: It’s not everyday you play the three worst teams (statistically speaking) in the league, however for the Celtics, it may seem that way lately.  After being dismantled by New Jersey and escaping Detroit, the Celtics welcome the Bobcats to the Garden tonight.  The Celtics might be riding a one game winning streak, but the Bobcats have some fire power in the their starting lineup and play solid defense- enough to make me sweat at least. » More: Game 58/82: Celtics (37-20) v. Bobcats (28-30)