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Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« on: January 27, 2012, 08:34:19 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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at   
Indiana Pacers (12-5) at Boston Celtics (8-9)
Friday, January 27
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #18, Home Game #11
TV:  CSNNE, FSI, NBA-LP 752/753
Radio:  WEEI,  WIBC
TD Garden



Probable Starting Matchups
PointGuard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo  vs  Darren Collison   

Shooting Guard
  vs
Ray Allen   vs  Paul George   

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce  vs  Danny Granger   

Power Forward
  vs 
Kevin Garnett  vs  David West

Center
  vs 
Jermaine O'Neal  vs  Roy Hibbert   





Celtics Reserves
Brandon Bass
Marquis Daniels
Chris Wilcox
Keyon Dooling
E'Twaun Moore
JaJuan Johnson
Avery Bradley
Sasha Pavlovic 
Greg Stiemsma
Mickael Pietrus

Injured
Ray Allen (ankle) day to day
Rajon Rondo (wrist)  day to day
Keyon Dooling (hip) day to day
Jermaine O'Neal  (knee)  day to day 



Pacers Reserves
Tyler Hansbrough
George Hill
Louis Amundson
Dahntay Jones
Jeff Foster
Jeff Pendergraph
Lance Stephenson

Injured
AJ Price (strep throat) day to day
Jeff Foster (back) out 

Team Connections
A.J. Price and Ray Allen both attended the University of Connecticut
Jermaine O’Neal played for the Pacersfrom 2000‐08
Frank Vogel was an assistant coach under Jim O’Brien with the Celtics from 2001‐04
Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird won three championships with the Celtics and had his #33 retired on 2/4/93
Pacers Associate Head Coach Brian Shaw was drafted by the Celtics with the 24th overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft and he appeared in 178 games for the Celtics averaging 11.1 points
David West and Brandon Bass were teammates in New Orleans from 2005‐2007.

Game Notes
This is the 3rd meeting between these two teams.  The Celtics were soundly beaten in both of their previous meetings, once in Indiana and once in Boston.   This time, hopefully the outcome will be different. The Celtics are on a 3 game win streak, having beaten the Magic in dramatic fashion twice in a row, despite missing key players. 

The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games.  The Pacers had the night before off but they are playing in the 3rd game in 4 nights. The Celtics expended a lot of energy in their comeback win over the Magic last night.  Paul Pierce played a season high 44 minutes.  KG played 34.  It would be great if a rested Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo return for this game. 

The Celtics got Keyon Dooling, Chris Wilcox, and Mickael Pietrus back from the injured list, however, Dooling left last night's game with a hip pointer.  Rondo wanted to play vs the Magic so it's possible he could come back for this one.  But, if he still can't go, both Avery and E'Twaun have played well in his absence.  If Ray, Rondo and Jermaine can't go, expect Pietrus, Bass and Bradley to get the start once again.   

Key Matchups
vs
Paul Pierce vs Danny Granger
Danny Granger is a tough player who can hit from outside as well as take the ball to the basket. He always seems to play extra hard against the Celtics.  Paul Pierce has found his stroke and his conditioning is back and so this should be a really good matchup.   

vs
Rajon Rondo vs Darren Collison
Hopefully Rondo will be back for this game and if he is, he needs to re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with.  Bradley filled in very well for him and Rondo's competitive nature will bring out the best in him.     When Rondo is aggressive, he makes the Celtics very tough to beat.  If Rondo can't go, Bradley needs to keep up his aggressive defensive play. 

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs David West
KG has shown in recent games, most notably the Magic games, that he's still got the old defensive spark.  He will need to bring find that spark again to give the Celtics the advantage in this game.  Whether he can go strong 2 nights in a row remains to be seen. 

Keys to the Game
Defense - The Celtics defense had been up and down but  they have clamped down in both of their last 2 games vs the Magic.  They showed that they are  capable of playing solid defense for 48 minutes when they beat the Magic in the first game.  And they came back from 27 points down in the second Magic game by once again playing tight lock down defense.  They need to bring that same defensive intensity in this one. 

Rebound -  Winning the rebounding battle prevents second chance points  and tip ins for the Pacers as well as limits fast break opportunities.   Without a lot of height, the Celtics must gang rebound with everyone putting out effort to grab rebounds.   When the Celtics put out the effort on the boards, it often translates to other areas of the game as well.   

Ball Movement -  There have been times when the Celtics' ball movement is a joy to behold.  They have to continue to move the ball and find the open man.   They can't lapse into playing one on one and playing hero ball and expect to win the game.  They also can't get sloppy and turn the ball over.

Hustle and Energy
-  The Celtics need to bring some hustle and effort to the game.  They have to go after loose balls and chase down rebounds.  Too many times we see Celtics standing around while the other team dives for loose balls and chases down rebounds.   Hopefully they didn't put out too much effort to come back last night and they will be able to get off to a fast start and hustle through the end. 

X-Factors
Back to Back
In their last back to back set, the Celtics demolished the Magic in the second game.  They showed that they are capable of winning on back to back nights.  Will they have enough energy in this one after battling the Magic the night before and then traveling?  We shall see. 

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2012, 08:42:10 AM »

Offline greenpride32

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IND coming off a big win against the Bulls in CHI.  We're coming off a back to back road to home; do we have any chance?

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2012, 08:46:31 AM »

Online letsgoblue86

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LETS FSU!!!!!

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2012, 08:49:22 AM »

Offline CelticsFanNC

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  This is the game where we will really see if we've turned the corner or not.  They dont necessarily need to win although that would be nice, but we need to be competitive against a very talented and athletic Indiana team on a back to back.

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2012, 08:51:02 AM »

Offline csfansince60s

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IND coming off a big win against the Bulls in CHI.  We're coming off a back to back road to home; do we have any chance?

One thing that we may have going for us is that they take us too lightly.

I think that they could be pretty full of themselves right now.
Just having beaten the Bulls and owning us the first two times that we played could make them overconfident.

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2012, 09:13:17 AM »

Offline celticslove

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i just that they can replenish those tired legs after that wonderful game. here's hoping for a 4 game win streak! :)

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2012, 11:02:54 AM »

Offline apc

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what’s up with Dooling?
he left in the middle of the Magic game.
Is this a new injury?

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2012, 11:19:51 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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what’s up with Dooling?
he left in the middle of the Magic game.
Is this a new injury?


Yep, he left with a hip pointer.  Other injury he just came back from was a knee.   He's listed as questionable for tonight. 

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2012, 11:30:49 AM »

Offline Q_FBE

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We are 0-2 to Larry Bird's Edited for profanity.  Please do not do it again.s and need to make another statement tonight. Perhaps we can see what the other Perdue Rookie JJJ can do tonight.

This is early enough in the season for Doc to tap into his bench and get some productivity and confidence out of guys like Marquis Daniels and Craig Wilcox.

Let us hope the real 2012 Celtics keep emerging and get to 9-9 tonight.
The beatings will continue until morale improves

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2012, 11:51:05 AM »

Offline 33-00-32

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Nice job again FL, TP!!

I think the Celts need to find some inside and transition hoops, can't rely on just the jumpers. Go Celts!
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Rights to: Bog Bog


Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2012, 11:56:12 AM »

Offline ACF

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TP. Go Celtics!

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2012, 04:43:53 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Sherrod Blakely just reported that Ray is at the Garden putting up shots.  Sherrod says he looks good but no official word.   Nothing yet on JO, Rondo or Dooling. 

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2012, 04:45:56 PM »

Offline greenpride32

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Sherrod Blakely just reported that Ray is at the Garden putting up shots.  Sherrod says he looks good but no official word.   Nothing yet on JO, Rondo or Dooling. 

Ray put up shots on MON before the ORL game and didn't play so we'll have to wait and see.

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2012, 04:46:51 PM »

Offline GreenFaith1819

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TP, FL!

Get em, Boston!

Re: Pacers (12-5) at Celtics (8-9) 1/27
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2012, 05:40:08 PM »

Offline clover

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We are 0-2 to Larry Bird's ****s and need to make another statement tonight. Perhaps we can see what the other Perdue Rookie JJJ can do tonight.

This is early enough in the season for Doc to tap into his bench and get some productivity and confidence out of guys like Marquis Daniels and Craig Wilcox.

Let us hope the real 2012 Celtics keep emerging and get to 9-9 tonight.

Definitely play that Craig Wilcox more--or people will start forgetting his name.