Author Topic: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12  (Read 37702 times)

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Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« on: January 11, 2011, 02:03:34 PM »

Online FLCeltsFan

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Sacramento Kings (8-26) at Boston Celtics (28-9)
Wednesday, January 12
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #38, Home Game #20
TV:  CSN-NE, , CSN-CA, NBA LP 755/756
Radio:  WEEI,  KHTK
TD Garden





Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
Rajon Rondo/  Ray Allen/  Paul Pierce/ Glen Davis/  Shaquille O'Neal

Boston Bench Mob
Marquis Daniels
Luke Harangody
Von Wafer
Avery Bradley
Jermaine O'Neal
Semih Erden
Nate Robinson

Injured

Kendrick Perkins (knee) out (but coming back soon!!!)
Delonte West (wrist) out
Kevin Garnett (calf) doubtful
Ray Allen (shoulder, side)  probable






Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
Beno Udrih/ Jermaine Taylor /Francisco Garcia/Jason Thompson/ DeMarcus Cousins

Reserves
Samuel Dalembert
Carl Landry
Pooh Jeter
Donte Greene
Darnell Jackson
Luther Head
Hassan Whiteside

Injuries
Tyreke Evans (ankle)  day to day


Team Connections
Kings Head Coach Paul Westphal played for the Celtics from 1972‐75 and was a member of the 1973‐74 Championship team
DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo all attended the University of Kentucky
Darnell Jackson and Paul Pierce both attended the University of Kansas
Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal and Delonte West were all teammates in
Cleveland during the 2009‐10 season
Jackson and West were also teammates in Cleveland during the 2008‐09 season
Von Wafer and Carl Landry were teammates in Houston during the 2008‐09 season


Key Matchups

 vs  
Rajon Rondo vs Beno Udrih
Rondo's play is very important to the Celtics and he will need to be aggressive  in this game on both ends of the court.  In the last two games, Rondo has had sub-par games for him and the Celtics need him to get back on track and set the pace for the Celtics as he has been doing most of the season.    If he plays like he is capable of playing, he should be able to have his way with Udrih.

 vs  
Shaquille O'Neal vs DeMarcus Cousins
Cousins has had some problems with his attitude and behavior, but there is no denying his talent.   He is leading the team in rebounds at 7.7 per game and is scoring 12.9 points per game.

Honorable Mention

Paul Pierce vs Francisco Garcia  
Pierce is the Captain and needs to help the Celtics right the shop.  He has to pick up his game and lead the team by example.  The Celtics need more effort and energy from Pierce in order to get back on track to where they should be.  

Game Notes
The Celtics welcome the Kings to the Garden in the 2nd of a 6 game home stand.   The first game didn't go very well as the Celtics put out very little effort in a loss to the short handed Rockets.  

It has been exactly 2 weeks since Kevin Garnett went out with a calf injury.  The Celtics gave a 2 week time table for his return and have said they expect him back for this one.   The Celtics should be able to handle the Kings easily without KG and it would make sense to rest him one more game.  But then again, they should have been able to handle the Rockets without KG too.   If  the Celtics do decide to rest him one more game and we don't see The Big Ticket in this one, cue the panic in Celtics Nation about his injury being more serious than the Celtics are letting on.  

Last season, the Celtics won the series 2‐0.  Paul Pierce led the Celtics with an average of 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game…Kevin Garnett averaged 13.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the two contests.  Carl Landry scored 30 points in his only game for the Kings against Boston last season.   Beno Udrih averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 assists to go along with 2.5 steals per game.

The Celtics still have a very good home record  of 16-3 in spite of their last loss there while the Kings have been very bad on the road with a 2-11 record away from home.   The Celtics have dropped to 5-5 in their last 10 games, prompting a lot of comparisons to the play we saw from them after Christmas last season.   The Kings are just 3-7 in their last 10 games.  The Kings are playing in the second of back to back games, having played the Wizards on Tuesday night.  

Whether the last two losses were the result of taking the opponent for granted and playing down to the competition, or they are missing KG and the injuries are catching up to them, or they are just tired from a tough stretch of games,  the Celtics must put out a better effort, especially on the defensive end,  or they risk losing another game that they should win.    

Keys to the Game
Defense -  Defense is a key to every game and it will be the key to winning the championship.  The Celtics have played poor defense in their last two games and that resulted in two losses.  The defense was so poor against the Rockets that Doc said it was the worst defensive effort in three or four years. Considering some of the stinkers the Celtics put up after Christmas last season, that is saying a lot.   The Celtics must get back to making Defense their number one priority.   Getting KG and then Perk back will help immensely, but with or without them, the Celtics are capable of playing much better defense than they have been playing.  

Play Team Ball - The Celtics need to move the ball and find the open man.  When players try to do too much on their own, the Celtics struggle but when they concentrate on playing as a team, they are tough to beat.  Over the past two games,  the Celtics haven't been playing as a team and that shows in the low number of assists as a team.  They must get back to UBUNTU and playing as a team on both ends of the court.  

Crash the boards - The Celtics have been getting out rebounded by their opponents, giving the opposing team second chance points and fast break points because of it.   Every player must make a concerted effort to aggressively go after rebounds.  

Effort and Focus
- Whatever the reason, the Celtics have shown a lack of focus and effort in the games.   The Celtics must bring more energy and they have to focus on the task at hand from the opening tip until the final buzzer.  

X-Factors
Overlooking the Kings and Focus
The Kings are just 8-26 on the season and 2-11 on the road.  They are playing in the second of back to back games.   It would be easy to overlook them  and that would be a mistake.  The Celtics must get back to focusing on their game and not playing according to what they perceive to be the competition.  It has burned them several times this season already and it will burn them every time.  
« Last Edit: January 12, 2011, 10:45:57 AM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2011, 02:33:58 PM »

Offline Tai

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Yeah, the Celtics just better come out running, or they'll give the Kings the idea that they can win, too.  ::)

TP to FL (I regret not giving you enough for these topics!), and go Celtics!

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2011, 02:57:14 PM »

Offline Greenbean

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Quote
It has been exactly 2 weeks since Kevin Garnett went out with a calf injury.  The Celtics gave a 2 week time table for his return and have said they expect him back for this one.   The Celtics should be able to handle the Kings easily without KG and it would make sense to rest him one more game.  But then again, they should have been able to handle the Rockets without KG too.   If  the Celtics do decide to rest him one more game and we don't see The Big Ticket in this one, cue the panic in Celtics Nation about his injury being more serious than the Celtics are letting on.  


A. Sherrod Blakely apparently just tweeted that KG didnt do anything live today and he was not expected to play.

let the panic ensue....

Credit j804 in this thread

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=43429.msg897156;topicseen#new

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2011, 03:10:09 PM »

Offline ACF

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Time to get back on track! I don't want to see all the "sky is falling" threads again tomorrow. And once again, a Tommy Point for the effort, FL.

GO CELTICS!

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2011, 06:23:55 PM »

Offline Edgar

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For a second i though we were against Charlotte on Wenesday
If we are against them on Friday I hope Garnett takes that rest too.
Once a CrotorNat always a CROTORNAT  2 times CB draft Champion 2009-2012

Nice to be back!

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2011, 06:37:32 PM »

Offline Megatron

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This is going to be an incredible tough game.

Kings are a title contender and will bring their best effort against the Celtics.

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2011, 08:08:09 PM »

Offline Adelaide Celt

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I'd feel a lot more comfortable if Tyreke Evans plays, we all know our track record against teams missing one (or more) of their best players ;)
NO AMOUNT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION, HORMONAL OR SURGICAL MUTILATION WILL EVER CHANGE A PERSON'S GENDER

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2011, 09:16:20 PM »

Offline Edgar

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I'd feel a lot more comfortable if Tyreke Evans plays, we all know our track record against teams missing one (or more) of their best players ;)

lol durant, martin..absolut true
Once a CrotorNat always a CROTORNAT  2 times CB draft Champion 2009-2012

Nice to be back!

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2011, 05:00:27 PM »

Offline j804

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If Cousins and Dalembiert dominate our frontcourt I just might throw up -

"7ft PG. Rondo leaves and GUESS WHAT? We got a BIGGER point guard!"-Tommy on Olynyk


Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2011, 05:16:15 PM »

Offline RAcker

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Rondo needs to put up a ridiculous statline tonight and end this losing crap.

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2011, 05:17:29 PM »

Online celticinorlando

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CAN WE PLEASE DOMINATE A BAD TEAM TONIGHT?

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2011, 05:19:42 PM »

Offline Tw1x990

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Tyreke missed last years game at the Garden. I hope he plays tonight. Good learning experience for him playing against a good team with a good crowd.

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2011, 05:25:45 PM »

Offline Megatron

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I dont understand Rondo's mindset.

Rondo should be motivated to dominate bad teams and put up huge numbers, but he doesent.

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #13 on: January 12, 2011, 07:33:09 PM »

Offline LakersFan_33

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You guys will easily win this game. Sacramento is just God-awful this year, and Tyreke is slumping (not even sure if he's playing).

Re: Kings (8-26) at Celtics (28-9) 1/12
« Reply #14 on: January 12, 2011, 07:45:24 PM »

Offline Megatron

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Kings are terrible my god.

Big Baby is in a huge slump he is terrible.