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Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« on: April 13, 2009, 04:48:38 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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at
Boston Celtics (60-20) at Philadelphia 76ers (40-40)
Tuesday, April 14
8:00 PM ET
Game #81 Road Game #41
TV:  TNT,  CSN HD
Wachovia Center




Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222


Probable Starters

Rajon Rondo PPG 12.1 RPG 5.20 APG 8.4 EFF + 19.24

Ray Allen   PPG 12.1 RPG 5.20 APG 8.4 EFF + 19.24

Paul Pierce  PPG 18.8 RPG 5.70 APG 3.8 EFF + 18.55

Glen Davis  PPG 6.7 RPG 3.90 APG 0.9 EFF + 7.72 

Kendrick Perkins PPG 8.5 RPG 8.20 APG 1.2 EFF + 14.46 

Reserves
Tony Allen
Eddie House
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Stephon Marbury
Mikki Moore

Injuries:
Brian Scalabrine (head)  questionable
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Leon Powe (knee)  day to day



Coach: Tony DiLeo
Average Age: 26.8
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 224


Probable Starters

Andre Miller  PPG 16.2 RPG 4.50 APG 6.5 EFF + 18.67

Willie Green   PPG 8.5 RPG 1.60 APG 1.9 EFF + 7.14
 
Andre Iguodala    PPG 18.7 RPG 5.70 APG 5.3 EFF + 19.88
 
Reggie Evans PPG 3.2 RPG 4.50 APG 0.3 EFF + 5.78

Samuel Dalembert   PPG 6.4 RPG 8.60 APG 0.2 EFF + 12.89 

The Bench
Royal Ivey
Donyell Marshall
Theo Ratliff
Kareem Rush
Marreese Speights
Louis Williams

Injured
Jason Smith (knee)  out
Thaddeus Young (ankle) out
Elton Brand (shoulder)  out
 
Connections:
Donyell Marshall and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach for the Sixers from '94-96
Elton Brand and Eddie House were teammates on the Clippers
Reggie Evans and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle. 
Theo Ratliff was on the Celtics for the '06-07 season, but was injured for all but 2 games.  His expiring contract was a key to the KG trade.

Key Matchups
  vs 
Andre Miller is one of the more underrated point guards in the league.  Teams have shown that when they can shut down Rondo, they have a good chance of beating the Celtics.  Rondo has to be aggressive and beat the pressure and double teams in order for the Celtics to win. 

  vs   
  The matchup between Pierce and Iguodala has always been a good one.  Iguodala has emerged as the go to guy for Philly and if Pierce can slow him down, it gives the Celtics a very good chance to win.   With KG out, this matchup becomes even more important to the Celtics. 

Honorable Mention
Kendrick Perkins vs Samuel Dalembert 
This should be a battle inside.  Perk has played well against Dalembert in the past and will need to play well defensively in order to keep the Sixers from going inside. 

Game Notes
The Celtics have won 8 of their last 10 games but are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Cavs and will be looking to bounce back in this game.  The Celtics have clinched the second seed so this game will have no effect on their standings in the playoffs. 

 The Sixers have lost 5 games in a row and have slid from the 5th seed into the 6th seed.  A loss will drop them into the 7th seed, making them the Celtics' opponent in the first round.   

The Celtics are 26 and 14 on the road while the Sixers are 24-16 at home.  The Celtics have nothing on the line in this game other than pride while the Sixers are still clawing for playoff position.   The Celtics lead the series 3-0 and will be looking for the sweep with a win in this game. 

X Factor
Focus and Effort
The Celtics lost to the Cavs mostly because they put out zero effort and showed no focus whatsoever in that game.   They need to get their focus back on both ends of the court and put a little more effort into this game, especially if they will face this team in the opening round of the playoffs. 

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2009, 05:21:04 PM »

Offline Tai

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TP!

Go Celtics! Don't let up on these games!

Oh, and first post!

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2009, 05:41:29 PM »

Offline Cs09Champs

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Let's go C's! Hopefully Paul & Ray will get some rest. They looked really tired yesterday.
Let's go C's!!!

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2009, 05:49:20 PM »

Offline celticinorlando

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hopefully we see leon powe

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2009, 05:34:05 PM »

Offline 4THQTR

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Let's go C's! Hopefully Paul & Ray will get some rest. They looked really tired yesterday.

Ray gets his rest...

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/04/ray_allen_suspe.html

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2009, 05:54:50 PM »

Offline 4THQTR

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Just realised:

All three games tonight are possible playoff previews:

Celtics vs. 76ers
Heat vs. Hawks
Lakers vs. Jazz


Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2009, 06:38:36 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Pierce sitting out tonight's game (per Sports Tonight)

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2009, 06:53:05 PM »

Offline Atzar

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No Ray, no Paul, no KG, BBD a gametime decision... what will the starting unit look like tonight?  RR/Starbury/TA/Mikki/Perk?  Or will Eddie start at the 2?  Or will TA start at the 2 with Billy at the 3?  Is there any possibility of Powe being able to start?

This has potential to be a very long, interesting night.

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2009, 06:57:36 PM »

Offline Cman

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One thing I don't understand is why JR Giddens isn't going to suit up for the game.  It would be a perfect learning opportunity for him.
Celtics fan for life.

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2009, 07:03:18 PM »

Offline illantari

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No Ray, no Paul, no KG, BBD a gametime decision... what will the starting unit look like tonight?  RR/Starbury/TA/Mikki/Perk?  Or will Eddie start at the 2?  Or will TA start at the 2 with Billy at the 3?  Is there any possibility of Powe being able to start?

This has potential to be a very long, interesting night.

PG: RR
SG: Eddie
SF: Billy
PF: Leon
C: Perk

It's like a no stress no consequences look into the future of the Cs.  Get a little rest for your old guys and see what the bench can do.  See if R2 really is only good when surrounded by (other) all stars.  I for one am all for it.

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2009, 07:04:38 PM »

Offline Atzar

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One thing I don't understand is why JR Giddens isn't going to suit up for the game.  It would be a perfect learning opportunity for him.

Well, the Utah Flash's first playoff game is tomorrow, and I actually think that would be a more valuable experience for him.  He can either play 30-40 minutes there in an intense, competitive game, or he can come here and maybe get 10 minutes in a game nobody cares about.

No Ray, no Paul, no KG, BBD a gametime decision... what will the starting unit look like tonight?  RR/Starbury/TA/Mikki/Perk?  Or will Eddie start at the 2?  Or will TA start at the 2 with Billy at the 3?  Is there any possibility of Powe being able to start?

This has potential to be a very long, interesting night.

PG: RR
SG: Eddie
SF: Billy
PF: Leon
C: Perk

It's like a no stress no consequences look into the future of the Cs.  Get a little rest for your old guys and see what the bench can do.  See if R2 really is only good when surrounded by (other) all stars.  I for one am all for it.

Definitely - not much of a choice, either.  I hope Billy starts, but I think Doc would rather give TA the lion's share tonight to try to get him back on track sooner.  I get the feeling Billy will still only get 10-15 unless somebody gets in foul trouble.

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2009, 07:12:17 PM »

Offline Cs09Champs

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Finally Ray & PP getting some well deserved rest!
Let's go C's!!!

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2009, 07:33:38 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Pierce talked his way into the lineup after Doc said he would rest him.  Per Dickerson, he is playing tonight, limited minutes. 

Mike Gorman said PP went to Doc and begged him to let him play tonight. 

As of now, Paul and Ray will both sit out tomorrow. 

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2009, 07:47:10 PM »

Offline illantari

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Pierce talked his way into the lineup after Doc said he would rest him.  Per Dickerson, he is playing tonight, limited minutes. 

Mike Gorman said PP went to Doc and begged him to let him play tonight. 

As of now, Paul and Ray will both sit out tomorrow. 

Sigh... Paul, you're ruining my brilliant plan for this game.  Also my tickets to the game tomorrow night.  (I know, I know, but I wanted to see SOME of the starters, goshdarnit!) 

Re: Celtics (60-20) at Sixers (40-40) 4/14
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2009, 08:03:49 PM »

Offline xmuscularghandix

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