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Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« on: April 22, 2013, 09:37:59 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Boston Celtics (0-1) at New York Knicks (1-0)
Tuesday,  April 23, 2013
8:00 PM ET
Playoff Game #2   Road Game #2
TV:  TNT, TSN2, CSNNE, MSG
Radio:  WEEI, ESPN NY 
Madison Square Garden 



Probable Starters
Point Guard
vs
Avery Bradley vs Pablo Prigioni

Shooting Guard
vs 
Paul Pierce vs Raymond Felton

Small Forward 
vs
Jeff Green vs Iman Shumpert

Power Forward
vs 
Brandon Bass vs Carmelo Anthony

Center

vs
Kevin Garnett vs Tyson Chandler





Celtics Reserves
Shavlik Randolph
Courtney Lee
Terrence Williams
Jason Terry
DJ White
Jordan Crawford
Chris Wilcox
Fab Melo

Injuries
Rajon Rondo (knee) out
Jared Sullinger (back) out


Knicks Reserves
James White
JR Smith
Quinton Richardson
Steve Novak
Jason Kidd
Kenyon Martin

Injuries
Marcus Camby (foot) questionable
Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) out
Pablo Prigioni (ankle) probable

Game Notes
The Celtics will try to regroup and fix their problems from game 1 while the Knicks get Prigioni back and expect to be even stronger in game 2 because of it.  The Celtics certainly can play better than they did in game 1 but  it remains to be seen if they will. 

KG took just 5 shots in the second half of game 1 and Doc has said that he will be looking to keep KG more involved in the offense in this game.  Doc went just 8 players deep in the first game and the 3 reserves he put on the floor didn't produce so they need to get more from their bench, whether limited players produce or Doc goes deeper into the bench.   Doc also said that he hopes to see better ball movement and execution as well. 

The Celtics have struggled to win on the road throughout the season and they must find a way to win on the road in this series.  That will take focus and execution and effort for 48 minutes.  They had a 7 point lead with under a minute left in the 3rd quarter and then seemed to run out of gas.  They stopped being aggressive and allowed the Knicks to set the tempo.  They have to play 48 minutes and must be more aggressive for 48 minutes. 

Key Matchups
vs
Brandon Bass vs Carmelo Anthony
The Knicks expect Pablo Prigioni back for this game and so they will be shifting their starting lineup a bit.  Melo will be at the power forward spot and it will fall to Brandon Bass to defend him.  Bass played well in the first game and hopefully will bring it this game as well.   

  vs 
Jeff Green vs Iman Shumpert
Prigioni's return will allow the Knicks to shift their defensive specialist Iman Shumpert to small forward.   The Celtics need Green to play big for them and hopefully he will be able to figure out Shumpert's defense.   

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Tyson Chandler
Neither of these two players played well in game 1, which may have been due to both coming back from missing the last stretch of games with injuries,  or it could be due to a lingering injury that neither will admit to.  Doc has said that he is going to try to get KG more involved in this game and that would a good thing for the Celtics. 

to the Game

Bench Play -  The Celtics bench players didn't show up in game 1. Knicks reserves scored 33 points to just 4 for the Celtics.   Jason Terry and Jordan Crawford didn't score and Courtney Lee scored the 4 points on free throws along with an assist to Kenyon Martin for a dunk.  Doc went just 8 deep and I can't help but think that he needs to give TWill, Wilcox,  and Randolph a chance especially if the players he puts out there at first aren't producing. 

Limit Turnovers -  The Celtics turned the ball over 21 times in game 1 and the Knicks scored 20 points off those turnovers.  Many of the turnovers were the result of careless passes and ball handling.  The Celtics have to take better care of the ball and make crisp passes along with keeping their focus when handling the ball.   But, at the same time the Celtics must move the ball and not settle into hero ball. 

Rebound -  Rebounding is always key.  The Celtics were able to stay even with the Knicks in game 1 and they need to continue to put out the effort to crash the boards and grab rebounds in order to limit the Knicks fast breaks and second chance baskets and to give themselves extra possessions.   

Be Aggressive -  The Celtics must be the more aggressive team.  They have to be the team that dives for loose balls, crashes the boards, hustles for the 50-50 balls and drives to the basket to draw the foul.  They also must be aggressive on the defensive end, denying passes and preventing easy baskets.

Defense - Last, but certainly not least,  the Celtics must make defense a priority.  It's still true that defense wins championships and the Celtics must prevent the Knicks from getting easy baskets and open looks.    They especially have to stay on their shooters on the 3 point line as the Knicks are very good 3 point shooters.  But they also have to guard the basket because the Knicks are also very good at getting to the hoop for easy baskets. 

X-Factors
Bench Production and Focus on the Road
The Celtics need to get more from their bench if they hope to win this game.   Doc went just 8 deep in game 1 and the 3 players he put in didn't produce.  They must give the Celtics a boost in this game whether the players Doc put on the floor produce or he goes deeper into the bench. 

Can the Celtics find a way to focus on the road and to keep that focus for 48 minutes. 

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2013, 09:38:26 PM »

Offline CelticConcourse

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Let's steal home court advantage!
Jeff Green - Top 5 SF

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Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2013, 09:53:14 PM »

Offline SparzWizard

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If we lose this game, I think we lose the series.  :-\

Bradley on Prigioni? I hope Prigioni doesn't have a field day. More importantly, I hope Bass can maintain his defense on Melo.


#JTJB (Just Trade Jaylen Brown)
#JFJM (Just Fire Joe Mazzulla)

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2013, 10:05:04 PM »

Offline Who

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I really wish Bass wasn't starting.

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2013, 10:36:19 PM »

Offline NocturnalRebel

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I would like to see Bradley, Lee, Pierce, Green, and KG as tha starting 5.

But tha Celtics have to win this game and swing momentum to their side. And they must take better care of tha ball. Knicks have done too much celebrating between game 1 and JR Smith's 6th man award. Time to crash tha party. Let's get it done fellas.

Terry must step up and be included in this offense. He has tha ability to find tha flow he needs and tha threat of him is still dangerous despite his play or lack there of. Starting 5 will need tha bench support.
Loyalty Is Royalty

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2013, 10:47:30 PM »

Offline CelticConcourse

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Bass ain't leaving the starting lineup.

He's been our most consistent and second-best player over our past 25-odd games. He led the team in rebounds and hit his jumpers while keeping his hand on the ball.

Bass was our best player in game 1 and I wouldn't say any bad words about him; blame someone else, Bass is performing fantastic and I love it.
Jeff Green - Top 5 SF

[Kevin Garnett]
"I've always said J. Green is going to be one of the best players to ever play this game"

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2013, 11:09:06 PM »

Offline Who

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Bass ain't leaving the starting lineup.

He's been our most consistent and second-best player over our past 25-odd games. He led the team in rebounds and hit his jumpers while keeping his hand on the ball.

Bass was our best player in game 1 and I wouldn't say any bad words about him; blame someone else, Bass is performing fantastic and I love it.

It is not about Bass' individual play.

It is about the five man unit and how it works together when he is on the floor.

I want another long range jump-shooter + ball-handler + passer instead of Bass' more limited midrange game offensively and I want more quickness and speed defensively instead of Bass' superior size/bulk. Hence, Courtney Lee over Bass.

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2013, 11:28:59 PM »

Offline BASS_THUMPER

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i dvr'd last game..had to werk late

imma be in here with yall this time..

im gettin 2 40oz's

and ya know..

Bass will be Thumpin!!

we got this!!!

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2013, 11:42:21 PM »

Offline YallahCeltics34

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Don't think this is a must win. Of course it would be ideal to win one of the first two games, but i dont think we're automatically out if we lose. The Knicks, even though they had a great reg. season, arent convincing me enough that they will go for the jugular if they get up 2-0 in the series. The Celtics won't ever give up even if they were down 3-0! Of course, i will be rooting hard for the Celtics and like I said, it would be ideal if we win, would make the series a hell of a a lot easier to win, i just dont think its a "Must win!"

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2013, 11:42:31 PM »

Offline KGs Knee

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If Melo is truly going to start at PF, Lee HAS to replace Bass in our starting lineup.

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2013, 11:44:27 PM »

Offline BASS_THUMPER

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Don't think this is a must win. Of course it would be ideal to win one of the first two games, but i dont think we're automatically out if we lose. The Knicks, even though they had a great reg. season, arent convincing me enough that they will go for the jugular if they get up 2-0 in the series. The Celtics won't ever give up even if they were down 3-0! Of course, i will be rooting hard for the Celtics and like I said, it would be ideal if we win, would make the series a hell of a a lot easier to win, i just dont think its a "Must win!"

what?

every game we play is a must win.

im trying to understand the words that are comin out of your mouth but...??

really?

wow


Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2013, 11:50:53 PM »

Offline syfy9

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Don't think this is a must win. Of course it would be ideal to win one of the first two games, but i dont think we're automatically out if we lose. The Knicks, even though they had a great reg. season, arent convincing me enough that they will go for the jugular if they get up 2-0 in the series. The Celtics won't ever give up even if they were down 3-0! Of course, i will be rooting hard for the Celtics and like I said, it would be ideal if we win, would make the series a hell of a a lot easier to win, i just dont think its a "Must win!"

Disagree. There are too many drawbacks if we lose this game.

1) We lose any sort of momentum we have.

2) The Knicks gain more and more momentum and confidence.

3) Pierce and KG will be forced to play even a longer stint because they are out best players (they played a lot in game 1, and probably will in game 2).

4) Our confidence could go down - we know that Pierce/KG are resilient, but what of the others?


This really is a must win game. We need to steal a game at Madison Square Garden to upset. It should be now while KG and Pierce aren't super tired.
I like Marcus Smart

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2013, 12:06:08 AM »

Offline YallahCeltics34

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Yes. Im that confident that even if we lose tomorrow, we can still win the series. If you dont think that then... i dont know what to say.

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2013, 12:31:12 AM »

Offline NocturnalRebel

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Don't think this is a must win. Of course it would be ideal to win one of the first two games, but i dont think we're automatically out if we lose. The Knicks, even though they had a great reg. season, arent convincing me enough that they will go for the jugular if they get up 2-0 in the series. The Celtics won't ever give up even if they were down 3-0! Of course, i will be rooting hard for the Celtics and like I said, it would be ideal if we win, would make the series a hell of a a lot easier to win, i just dont think its a "Must win!"

Are you a trolling Knicks fan?

This is tha playoffs. Go big or go home. Every game for tha Celtics as for every other team in tha playoffs is a must win. Winning on tha road is a must in any playoff series and it's a must for tha C's to win game 2. They had a chance in game 1 and dropped tha ball. They owe it to themselves to win game 2.





Loyalty Is Royalty

Re: Celtics (0-1) at Knicks (1-0) Game 2 4/23
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2013, 12:49:52 AM »

Offline YallahCeltics34

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I don't think you guys understand what "Must win" means. Must win means that if we don't win, the series is over, there is a 0% chance that we win the series. Now, after reading that, if we lose tomorrow is the series 100% over? No it's not. Like I said it would be huge to win, and of course ideal. It would be unlikely that we win the series if we lost tomorrow, it wouldn't be impossible.