Celtics (5-1) at Knicks (3-2) 10/20

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (5-1) at New York Knicks (3-2)
Tuesday, October 18, 2009
7:30 PM ET
TV: MSG, CSN HD, LP 752, 753
Madison Square Garden


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Nate Robinson

Shooting Guard
  vs 
Ray Allen vs Chris Duhon 

Small Forward 
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Wilson Chandler

Power Forward 
  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Jared Jeffries

Center
  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs David Lee

Reserves 
Rasheed Wallace
Marquis Daniels
Big Baby Davis
Eddie House
Brian Scalabrine
Lester Hudson
Shelden Williams
JR Giddens
Michael Sweetney

Injuries
Tony Allen (ankle) out
Bill Walker (knee)  out 



Reserves
Darko Milicic
Toney Douglas
Larry Hughes
Danilo Gallinari
Jordan Hill
Joe Crawford
Marcus Landry
Chris Hunter
Al Harrington

Injuries
Eddy Curry (calf) questionable

Key Matchups
  vs 
Over the last couple of games, the Knicks have moved Nate Robinson from the bench into the starting lineup.  He is quick and  tough and Rondo will have his hands full with him.  A GM survey named Rondo one of the top defensive guards in the league.  To which Doc said not really.  It seems as though Doc and Danny have both decided that the way to motivate Rondo is to put him down.    Hopefully he will take the bait and step up his defense to yet another level.   

  vs 
The spotlight is still on KG and so far, it is shining brightly.   His offense appears to be back on track as he scored 21 points in 28 minutes in his last outing.  He has no sign of a limp or of lingering effects of the injury.  He should be able to have another very good game against Jeffries

Team Connections
 Doc Rivers played for the Knicks from 1992-95
Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach with New York from 1996-2002
Eddie House played for Mike D’Antoni in Phoenix during the 2005-06 season
Rasheed Wallace and Darko Milicic were teammates in Detroit from 2003-06
Al Harrington and Marquis Daniels were teammates in Indiana during the 2006-07 season.

Things to Watch
Back up point guard spot -  Leading up to the last game, Doc had said that he was going to start Daniels at the point but went with Rondo instead.  Hudson has been playing very well and Marquis has done a good job playing the point also.  Doc needs to make the decision to keep Hudson on the team and should be taking an extra look at him in these last couple games. 

Defense - The Celtics have said that they want to be the best defensive team ever.  Look for the Celtics to continue to ramp up their defense from game to game. 

KG - In each game, KG has gotten closer and closer to 100%.  His shot is back,  his mobility is there on defense, his alley oop is back,  and his intensity is back.  Look for KG to look even better every game out. 

Chemistry - In the last game against the Raptors, we saw some great passes where teammates telegraphed passes from one to another.  We are seeing alley oops not just with KG but with Rasheed as well.  The chemistry is building on this team and the new players and returning players are learning each others' games and where they like the ball.   It is going to be fun watching this team as the chemistry gets even better.

[celticsclay]

I think that you are overlooking one of the major storylines. Sweetney gets to continue his comeback tour against the team that gave up on him. I think the knicks could use his size. A front court of sweeney, Curry and Jerome James would be pretty dominant.

[GKC]

I think that you are overlooking one of the major storylines. Sweetney gets to continue his comeback tour against the team that gave up on him. I think the knicks could use his size. A front court of sweeney, Curry and Jerome James would be pretty dominant.

Redefines the term clogging the lane.

[Bahku]

I think that you are overlooking one of the major storylines. Sweetney gets to continue his comeback tour against the team that gave up on him. I think the knicks could use his size. A front court of sweeney, Curry and Jerome James would be pretty dominant.

Redefines the term clogging the lane.

LOL! And brings real possibilities to the phrases: "Bringing the house down" and "Playing the heavy"!

[fairweatherfan]

A front court of sweeney, Curry and Jerome James would be pretty dominant.

If you can't win on the court, win at the buffet.

[celticsclay]

supposedly Curry lost about 60 pounds this offseason but promptly repeatedly injured himself when he resumed playing. Has there been a more washed up 29 year old ever? Also, that may have been the worst trade in past ten years.

[ACF]

TP.

[indeedproceed]

A front court of sweeney, Curry and Jerome James would be pretty dominant.

If you can't win on the court, win at the buffet.

When I played rugby we used to have a saying "We might lose the game but we'll never lose the drink-up"

[RAcker]

Well, this will be the last pre-season chance to see all of our guys playing in a rotation.  That Wednesday night game ought to be potpourri.

[j804]

Well, this will be the last pre-season chance to see all of our guys playing in a rotation.  That Wednesday night game ought to be potpourri.

Yup, im curious how tomorrow the bench will play out against (probably) Clevelands starters

[indeedproceed]

Who else is excited for Clyde Frazier?

[papa shuttlesworth]

I am prodigiously, fabulousantially and utterly overawesomeoniously ready for Clyde.

[Cman]

A front court of sweeney, Curry and Jerome James would be pretty dominant.

If you can't win on the court, win at the buffet.

 
nicely put, good sir!

(and tp flcf)

[FLCeltsFan]

I am prodigiously, fabulousantially and utterly overawesomeoniously ready for Clyde.

Too funny!  TP for the smile!

[Vermont Green]

I know this has not been a very serious thread but I say watch for Perk to have another big game dominating David Lee or whatever undersized power forward they have to cover him.

The Knicks really need a health Curry which is about the same as saying the Knicks are in big trouble.