Lakers (35-16) at Celtics (38-13) 2/10

[FLCeltsFan]

I think our starters will all play well.  My concern is the bench.  With all the injuries, it is the guys on the bench that have to come up big, especially Big Baby and Von Wafer. Doc has to get enough out of the bench to give the starters some rest or they won't have enough left down the stretch. 

[Fafnir]

if rondo attacks like he did vs orlando...boston will win easily.

I think the key is how well the C's play defensively. You can't expect Kobe be so incredibly hot again, so does a second Laker do much offensively?

40 for kobe is a walk in the park for him. I'm expecting him to play the same, if not better. I'm worried about us lacking fire power, I don't see the captain getting 30 plus again. He was freakishly in the zone last time. And now especially if he isn't feeling well. We haven't had anyone score over 30 in a game yet have we? We are going to need the best from everyone who can play or this will be another shameful loss this season.

40 is a walk in the part? Then why is he only averaging 25.4 ppg and only has two 40 point games this season?

His 41 is his high points mark against the KG/Ray Allen/PP Celtic's team.

Oh and we've had two 30+ point games this season, both by Ray Allen. (one against Miami and one against San Antonio)

[Celtics4ever]

We are short handed it will be a hard fight.  I think we can win but LA will be looking for revenge from the last game.  La though has issues too, Artest is imploding. Our big depth is critical at this point.  Ray will break the record, I think.

[Megatron]

We are short handed it will be a hard fight.  I think we can win but LA will be looking for revenge from the last game.  La though has issues too, Artest is imploding. Our big depth is critical at this point.  Ray will break the record, I think.

We have 4 All-Stars, we have literally no bench for this game, so its going to be up to our starters greatness to come out and win this game for us.

Going to be critical that Perkins and KG stay out of foul trouble, when either of them have to sit, our length and rebounding goes to zero and we will get dominated inside.

Man, we litearlly have 5 bench players injured yet our "old" starters are the ones continuing to carry these injured bench players.

[JerseyKid.]

if rondo attacks like he did vs orlando...boston will win easily.

I think the key is how well the C's play defensively. You can't expect Kobe be so incredibly hot again, so does a second Laker do much offensively?

40 for kobe is a walk in the park for him. I'm expecting him to play the same, if not better. I'm worried about us lacking fire power, I don't see the captain getting 30 plus again. He was freakishly in the zone last time. And now especially if he isn't feeling well. We haven't had anyone score over 30 in a game yet have we? We are going to need the best from everyone who can play or this will be another shameful loss this season.

40 is a walk in the part? Then why is he only averaging 25.4 ppg and only has two 40 point games this season?

His 41 is his high points mark against the KG/Ray Allen/PP Celtic's team.

Oh and we've had two 30+ point games this season, both by Ray Allen. (one against Miami and one against San Antonio)

Obviously you took that a little more literally than i meant it. He will be scoring his usual leaps and bounds , im more worried in how much we can score. Especially with this new found news that paul isn't feeling well, and he was our scoring rock last time around. Ray,kg and especially Rondo MUST turn it up along with Nate actually knocking down most of his 3's this time around. I just have this feeling in my stomach that this is going to be a rough game.

[Fafnir]

if rondo attacks like he did vs orlando...boston will win easily.

I think the key is how well the C's play defensively. You can't expect Kobe be so incredibly hot again, so does a second Laker do much offensively?

40 for kobe is a walk in the park for him. I'm expecting him to play the same, if not better. I'm worried about us lacking fire power, I don't see the captain getting 30 plus again. He was freakishly in the zone last time. And now especially if he isn't feeling well. We haven't had anyone score over 30 in a game yet have we? We are going to need the best from everyone who can play or this will be another shameful loss this season.

40 is a walk in the part? Then why is he only averaging 25.4 ppg and only has two 40 point games this season?

His 41 is his high points mark against the KG/Ray Allen/PP Celtic's team.

Oh and we've had two 30+ point games this season, both by Ray Allen. (one against Miami and one against San Antonio)

Obviously you took that a little more literally than i meant it. He will be scoring his usual leaps and bounds , im more worried in how much we can score. Especially with this new found news that paul isn't feeling well, and he was our scoring rock last time around. Ray,kg and especially Rondo MUST turn it up along with Nate actually knocking down most of his 3's this time around. I just have this feeling in my stomach that this is going to be a rough game.

Kobe scores his points, but he does so inefficiently against this current Boston Team:

Kobe against KG/PP/RA Celtics (including playoffs 19 games):

MP 41.63 TS%

FG 9.53 0.513

FGA 23.21

FG% 0.41

3P 1.89

3PA 5.63

3P% 0.34

FT 6.26

FTA 7.58

FT% 0.83

TRB 6.26

AST 4.16

STL 1.74

BLK 0.47

TOV 3.58

PTS 27.21

His season TS% is .558. Kobe's scoring isn't a huge worry, even last game he was unreasonably hot. He was well covered for most of his shot attempts. I worry more about defending the glass and stoping the Lakers secondary offensive options.

Hopefully Ray/Rondo can pick up any scoring slack we have if Ray is off.

[BASS_THUMPER]

we give the lakers more power than they deserve..la is the only team ~out side the playoffs~ that make us run on all cylinders

[Mulla]

As always, a great writeup, TP and thanks!

[RockinRyA]

Celtics win, 87-78 

[ACF]

TP. Go Celtics!



BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!

[JSD]

Sooooo pumped for the game tonight. Big night for Ray!

[celticinorlando]

I think you guys underestimate how hard the celtics will play tonight. Bench will be fine

[Jeff]

interesting game from an emotions standpoint

Lakers are kind of coasting and distracted by blockbuster trade rumors but will likely feel motivated to get back at the C's and prove that they are still contenders

Celtics are very short-handed, distracted by Ray's record, and perhaps feeling like they've already proven their point in L.A. - not saying they don't want to beat LA every time, but I wonder if they'll have that extra push when they need it most

and matchup-wise, I'm worried about the paint tonight

all that said, I wouldn't be surprised with a win or a loss tonight - should be a good game

[ACF]

Join me in changing avatar today.

[celticinorlando]

loss tonight pretty much assures boston of being behind miami in the standings..they play detroit...which would make sunday a battle for first place going into the all star break...only good thing is boston's toughest month was Feb. and miami's toughest month is by far march.

i don't mind a 2 seed but would like to avoid the bulls in round 2 of the playoffs...give me orlando or the hawks....i don't really think boston gets anything the rest of the year out of JO and daniels. i think those guys are finished. west will be big and they need to get shaq back...add a SF and sign Sheed for the playoffs