Author Topic: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30  (Read 67706 times)

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Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« on: December 29, 2011, 02:44:38 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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at
Detroit Pistons (0-2) at Boston Celtics (0-3)
Friday, December 30
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #4 – Home Game #1
TV: CSNNE, FSD, NBA-LP 755/756 (DTV)
Radio: WEEI, WDFN, 97.1 FM The Ticket
TD Garden





Probable Starters
PGSGSFPFC
Rajon Rondo.... Ray Allen.... Paul Pierce.....Kevin Garnett.... Jermaine O'Neal

Celtics Reserves

Marquis Daniels
Sasha Pavlovic
Greg Steimsma
Brandon Bass
JaJuan Johnson
E'Twaun Moore
Keyon Dooling

Injuries
Paul Pierce  (heel) day to day
Chris Wilcox  (shoulder)  day to day
Mickael Pietrus (knee)  out





Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
Rodney Stuckey...Ben Gordon...Tayshaun Prince...Jonas Jerebko..Greg Monroe 

Pistons Bench
Ben Wallace
Jason Maxiell
Brandon Knight
Austin Daye
Damien Wilkins
Vernon Macklin
Will Bynum

Injuries

None

Suspensions
Charlie Villanueva 

Team Connections

Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Ray Allen all attended the University of Connecticut
Tayshaun Prince, Brandon Knight and Rajon Rondo attended the University of Kentucky
Pistons Head Coach Lawrence Frank was an assistant coach with the Celtics during the 2010‐11 season
Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2007‐09
Pistons Assistant Coach Roy Rogers played for the Celtics during the 1997‐98 season and was an assistant coach during the 2010‐11 season.
Chris Wilcox played for the Pistons from 2009-11. 

Key Matchups 
  vs 
Rajon Rondo  vs Rodney Stuckey
Rondo has been very aggressive so far in leading the Celtics.  Stuckey is a good point guard, but Rondo should be able to get around him and continue his aggressive play. 

  vs 
Ray Allen vs Ben Gordon
This will be a battle of two scorers.  Ray has been shooting well so far this season as has Gordon.  Ray won't have Rip Hamilton to chase him all over the court but Gordon, with younger legs could cause him some problems. 

Honorable Mention

Paul Pierce (or Sasha Pavlovic) vs Tayshaun Prince
Prince, like the Celtics starters has lost a step or two but he is still a very good veteran player and has always been able to defend Pierce well with his length. 

Game Notes
The Celtics finally are playing at home after a 3 game road trip to open the season.  The games on the road didn't go so well and the Celtics come home facing a must win game to avoid going down 0-4.  The Celtics are facing Lawrence Frank's Pistons who are also winless on the season so far. 

I'm hoping that Paul Pierce will be able to play in this one and have put him into the starting lineup as wishful thinking but chances are,  we may see Sasha Pavlovic in the starting lineup once again.  The Pistons will be missing Charlie Villanueva who is suspended for the first 3 games of the season for an altercation with Ryan Hollins last season in which Villanueva escalated the fight by going into the Cavs locker room after Hollins after the game.  KG will have to find someone else to taunt. 

Keys to the Game
Defense - The Celtics problems have begun on the defensive end.  We haven't seen any of that trademark lock down defense so far and the Celtics have got to find that defensive intensity once again. 

Rebound - The Celtics need to be more aggressive on the boards.  Rebounding is effort and if the Celtics are putting the effort out to grab rebounds then that effort will translate to the other areas of their game.

Limit Turnovers
- The Celtics have been very sloppy with their passes and have been turning the ball over too much.  They have to take better care of the basketball. 

Play 48 Minutes -  The Celtics have played well in spurts to come back from big deficits but they have to play well for 48 minutes.  They need to get off to a better start and then not let up until the final buzzer. 

X-Factors

Home Court and Officiating
Hopefully getting back on the parquet and in front of their fans will get the Celtics back to their winning ways.  The cheers of the crowd and the friendly confines of the garden may be just what they need.

The officiating has been terrible in all 3 games so far.  The league announced that they overturned two of the technicals that were assessed to the Celtics in the 2 point loss the the Knicks on opening day.  The officials have been horrible so far with most of the bad calls going against the Celtics at crucial times.  Maybe the refs will give the Celtics a break now that they are at home. 

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2011, 08:50:51 AM »

Offline thirstyboots18

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Finally. Home Opener!  Finally, Paul Pierce playing!  Give them a couple games to get rotations set and everyone on  the same page and I am expecting WOW to happen again. 

TP for a great job as always, FL.
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Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2011, 09:23:06 AM »

Offline Evantime34

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Is Pierce definetly playing?
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Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2011, 09:28:45 AM »

Offline Who

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This should be an easy game.

Nice chance to get back to winning ways after a rough start to the season.

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2011, 09:37:37 AM »

Online celticinorlando

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dear baby jesus....please allow us the win tonight

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2011, 09:43:03 AM »

Offline slamtheking

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TP Fl.

Maybe it's just my concern over the poor play in the first 3 games, but looking at the roster matchups, I'm not as certain of this game being a 'sure win'.

I think Detroit is looking at this as a good chance to steal a road win.

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2011, 09:52:04 AM »

Offline Prof. Clutch

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Well, by the end of the night at least one of these teams will finally get their first win, I just hope it's the C's!  TP FLCeltsFan.

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2011, 09:59:47 AM »

Offline ACF

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TP. Go Celtics!

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2011, 10:13:45 AM »

Offline greenpride32

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Any word on the status of Pierce and Wilcox?

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2011, 10:19:41 AM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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Finally feel like Boston will get a win . But, I doubt PP plays, I'm thinking  they feel they can win this game without him. But, I hope he is really anyway.

.

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2011, 11:02:35 AM »

Offline apc

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Finally feel like Boston will get a win .
i am not as confident ...

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2011, 11:08:46 AM »

Offline apc

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I would consider letting KG play center on this one against Monroe, and matching Bass with Jerebko.

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #12 on: December 30, 2011, 11:13:17 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Is Pierce definetly playing?
I haven't heard any news either way yet.  Pierce did say he'd let everyone know 24 hours before he was going to play and last night he tweeted that he was very very very close to playing.  So I'm thinking he'll play, even if it's coming off the bench.  I guess it will depend on shoot around today. 

Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2011, 11:27:10 AM »

Offline snively

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Here's hoping a day of rest, home court and the worst opponent we've faced yet is the right recipe for our first win.
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Re: Pistons (0-2) at Celtics (0-3) 12/30
« Reply #14 on: December 30, 2011, 11:40:38 AM »

Offline Q_FBE

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OK I promise to force the Celtics to win tonight. Gotta get that 1st win tonight and get off the schnide.
The beatings will continue until morale improves