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ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« on: May 23, 2008, 08:56:31 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Boston Celtics (1-1, 9-7) at Detroit Pistons (1-1, 9-4)
Eastern Conference Finals, Game 3
8:30 PM ET
TV:  ABC
The Palace of Auburn Hills 




Probable Starters
  PG: Rajon Rondo   PPG 11.1 RPG 4.10 APG 6.6 EFF + 15.64
   SF:  Paul Pierce     PPG 18.7 RPG 4.80 APG 4.1 EFF + 16.50
   SF:  Paul Pierce     PPG 18.7 RPG 4.80 APG 4.1 EFF + 16.50
   PF:  Kevin Garnett   PPG 20.3 RPG 9.90 APG 3.5 EFF + 26.00
   C:  Kendrick Perkins   PPG 6.3 RPG 5.70 APG 0.6 EFF + 10.29

Off the Bench:
Eddie House,  James Posey, Leon Powe,  Big Baby Davis, Tony Allen,   PJ Brown, Sam Cassell

Injuries
Scott Pollard, ankle, out

Inactive
Brian Scalabrine, Gabe Pruitt




Probable Starters
  PG:  Chauncey Billups  PPG 15.8 RPG 3.10 APG 5.7 EFF + 16.33
   SG:  Rip Hamilton  PPG 21.5 RPG 4.80 APG 3.7 EFF + 18.18
   SF:  Tayshaun Prince   PPG 16.0 RPG 6.20 APG 3.4 EFF + 19.00 
   PF:  Antonio McDyess    PPG 7.5 RPG 6.50 APG 1.1 EFF + 12.09 
     C:  Rasheed Wallace      PPG 13.9 RPG 6.00 APG 1.6 EFF + 14.91   

Off the Bench
Jason Maxiel,  Arron Afflalo, Linsdey Hunter, Jarvis Hayes,  Walter Hermann, Rodney Stuckey,  Theo Ratiliff, Juan Dixon

Injuries
None

Inactive

Juan Dixon, Cheikh Samb, Walter Hermann

Key Matchups
  vs   
Rajon Rondo vs Chauncey Billups
The point guard matchup continues to be the key to this series.  Rondo out played Billups in game 1 and it appeared that Billups was still having problems with his hamstring.  Between games 1 and 2 Billups apparently had a miraculous healing as he showed no effects from the injury and got the better of this matchup.   The backup point guard is also key as Rodney Stuckey dominated and Eddie House struggled with the Pistons' pressure.    We might see Sam Cassell in game 3 as this was one of the reasons that the Celtics signed him.

  vs     
Kevin Garnett vs Antonio McDyess
McDyess has played well in both of the games in Boston.  He is able to score inside and rebound and has also hit jumpers from the outside.  He is the only Piston starter without a ring and so  is very motivated and has been playing with great intensity. 

Honorable Mention
Celtics Bench vs Pistons Bench
The Celtics starters played well in game 2 and Pierce, Ray Allen and KG all had big games but the bench didn't show up.  They had only 8 points and only PJ Brown could be considered to have played well.  The Celtics will need more than 8 points from their bench if they expect to win on the road. 

Keys to the Game
Defense  The Celtics inability to get stops cost them game 2.  They allowed the Pistons to shoot 49% and score 103 points.  They are capable of playing lock down defense and it is a matter of focus as to whether they do or not.  The Pistons picked up their defense but the Celtics didn't.  The team that plays the best defense will win this series. 

Focus and Intensity   The Celtics seemed to lose their focus at times in game 2 and they made mental errors that cost them the game.   They must keep their focus and intensity and not allow the Pistons' defense to take it away from them.  It seemed that when the Pistons picked up their defense it rattled the Celtics and took them out of their game.  They have to focus and play their game regardless of what the Pistons throw at them. 

Ball movement  The Celtics walked the ball up the court too much in game 2 and that allowed the defenses to get set.  The must run the ball up the court whenever possible and they have to move the ball to find the open man.  They were dribbling too much  and the ball movement stalled.   They need to get back to passing the ball  to beat the Pistons pressure and find the open man for the best shot. 

X-Factors
Bench Play. The Celtics bench must play better than they did in game 2.   The starters have to be able to rest without worrying about the bench losing a lead or digging a hole for them to have to dig out of.   

Officiating  The officials have not been very kind to the Celtics so far in the playoffs especially on the road.   The Celtics need the refs to at least call it evenly to have a chance to win in Detroit.   

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2008, 09:00:44 PM »

Offline Redz

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You're in playoff form FL.  Great run down!

GO CELTS!
Yup

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2008, 10:07:19 PM »

Offline Brendan

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Thanks for the 8:30 start time NBA.

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2008, 10:23:44 PM »

Offline Redz

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Is it too early for this?:


Or are we through with Rocky since he failed us last game?

A new Rocky perhaps?



The Real Rocky?



or

Yup

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2008, 10:32:54 PM »

Offline Chief

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What do you think? ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MEQ0eBDPzY


Now get up Celtics, cause Mickey loves you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
« Last Edit: May 24, 2008, 12:48:52 AM by Chief »
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
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Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2008, 11:37:19 PM »

Offline Edgar

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letsgive some love to the taker...

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Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2008, 10:43:13 AM »

Offline wdleehi

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I think they need to watch this for ideas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30sYk9B4OqU




Notice they went to their version of Scali to get going. 


Just a thought to ponder.

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2008, 10:49:42 AM »

Offline Frontierboy

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I think they need to watch this for ideas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30sYk9B4OqU




Notice they went to their version of Scali to get going. 


Just a thought to ponder.

Ah hahhaa.... Big Baby!!!!!

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2008, 10:53:50 AM »

Offline tb727

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I think they need to watch this for ideas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30sYk9B4OqU




Notice they went to their version of Scali to get going. 


Just a thought to ponder.

That's def a flagrant 2 on Mick at 2:03  :P

I always used to think they were saying "Win in the Air"- great scene of a movie though, thanks for sharing.
Jay Wingspan Bilas

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2008, 10:56:14 AM »

Offline wdleehi

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I think they need to watch this for ideas.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30sYk9B4OqU




Notice they went to their version of Scali to get going. 


Just a thought to ponder.

That's def a flagrant 2 on Mick at 2:03  :P

I always used to think they were saying "Win in the Air"- great scene of a movie though, thanks for sharing.


Mick = Wallace????

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2008, 11:32:50 AM »

Offline Redz

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Wolf or no Wolf, I'd bench him in a second if he pulled that jumping into his teammates arms celebration crap while the other teams going for a fastbreak down the other end :-\

I'd still take my chances posting up MJF even after he'd turned into a werewolf.
Yup

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #11 on: May 24, 2008, 11:43:28 AM »

Offline Redz

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Here's how you close out a game

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3YNQ-fxpzjQ
Yup

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #12 on: May 24, 2008, 11:55:59 AM »

Offline BudweiserCeltic

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http://youtube.com/watch?v=rHApjDCkt9U

Time to resurrect the man, and "be good".

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #13 on: May 24, 2008, 12:10:02 PM »

Offline RebusRankin

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He looks so young in that clip with Drew.

Re: ECF Game 3 Celtics at Pistons 5/24 8:30 PM ABC
« Reply #14 on: May 24, 2008, 02:16:42 PM »

Offline QuinielaBox

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Good stuff from you guys, In all seriousness:

I believe the Celtics have no shot to win in Detriot tonight. NONE. This is a learning game for them. Doc and Thibadeaux needs to focus on game 4 Monday. This is not a must game. Detroit has all the momentum. It would be good for Doc to try some different bench combinations and try to get Sam Cassell going tonight. I would not overextend PGA trying to get back HCA tonight. Let us try for the momentum change on Monday and get our confidence back and try for a W - L - L - W - W - W outcome. 

Besides, the Referees will screw them tonight.
Wins are few, times are hard. Here is your bleeping St Patricks Day Card.