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Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« on: February 18, 2014, 09:32:50 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Boston Celtics (19-35) at Phoenix Suns (30-21)
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
9:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #55, Road Game #27
TV: CSNNE, FSAZ, NBA-LP 760(DTV)/757(Xfinity)
Radio: WBZ, AZ Sports 98.7
US Airways Center




Probable Starters

PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Gerald Wallace


C: Jared Sullinger


SF:  Jeff Green
PF:  Brandon Bass

Celtics Reserves
Kelly Olynyk
Jerryd Bayless
Joel Anthony
Chris Johnson
Kris Humphries

Injuries
Keith Bogans (personal) out
Vitor Faverani (knee) day to day
Avery Bradley (ankle) day to day




Probable Starters

PG: Goran Dragic
SG: Gerald Green


C: Miles Plumlee


SF: PJ Tucker
PF: Channing Frye

Suns Reserves
Markieff Morris
Leandro Barbosa
Marcus Morris
Alex Len
Ish Smith
Dionte Christmas
Archie Goodwin
Slava Kravtsov

Injuries
Eric Bledsoe (knee) out
Emeka Okafor (neck)  out 

Game Notes
The Celtics begin their west coast swing with a stop in Phoenix to take on the surprising Suns.  Both teams have rumors swirling going into the trading deadline and that may affect the play of some of the players on both sides.

The Suns are in the 7th spot and just a half a game out of the 6th seed in a tough Western Conference.  They are looking to pick up the pieces that may put them over the top as far as competing in the playoffs.  The Celtics are sitting 12th in the East but are also just 4 games out of the final spot in the playoffs. 

The Celtics should be rested and ready to get back to playing again.  Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk participated in the Rising Stars game but still had plenty of rest over the break.   The Suns on the other hand are playing in the second of back to back games, having played in Denver on Tuesday night.   The Suns are 6-6 on the second night of back to back games. 

The Celtics will see some familiar faces on the Suns.  Former Celtic Gerald Green is the starting 2 guard for the Suns and Dionte Christmas and Leandro Barbosa come off the bench for them. 

Avery Bradley and Vitor Faverani didn't make the trip and so I expect Gerald Wallace to get the start at the shooting guard once again.   With the trading deadline on Thursday and rumors swirling around just about every player on the team,  this may be the last time we see some of these players in green. 

Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Goran Dragic
Dragic has been playing very well for the Suns.  He is averaging 20.3 points, 6.2 assists and 1.42 steals.  This will be a fun matchup to watch.

vs
Gerald Wallace vs Gerald Green
Former Celtic Gerald Green has put up some big dunks this season and is playing well enough to start for the Suns.  He is averaging 14.3 points and 3.2 rebounds this season.  Players always give a little extra to beat the teams that traded them in the past and so expect a big game from Gerald in this one.

Keys to the Game
Play 48 Minutes
- The Celtics tend to have periods in the game where they can't make snots, let up on defense and turn the ball over. They have to find a way to be more consistent and play strong for all 48 minutes.

Rebound - Much of rebounding is effort and desire. The Celtics need to do both if they hope to win on the road.  The Suns are 1st in the league with 18.5 fast break points per game.  The Celtics will need to crash the boards to prevent second chance and fast break points from the Suns.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be aggressive in going after loose balls, taking the ball to the hoop and playing in your face defense. When they get lazy and allow teams to beat them to loose balls and rebounds and when they settle for jumpers and don't go to the basket, they are very beatable. They have to be the more aggressive team from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Focus - It's easy for teams to lose focus on the road and so the Celtics have to find a way to keep their focus and ignore the hostile crowd and just play hard from start to finish. 

Defend the Perimeter
- The Suns are first in the league with 9.4 3-point makes per game.  The Celtics must defend them beyond the arc to prevent them from hitting those long distance bombs. 


X-Factor

Rust vs Rest
The Celtics will be well rested coming into this game, but will that rest lead to rust at the start of the game? 


Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2014, 09:45:29 PM »

Offline Clench123

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Let the tanking continue.  But I'm looking forward to how they come out and play after several days off

I always said when I left the Celtics, I could not go to heaven, because that would
 be a step down. I am pure 100 percent Celtic. I think if you slashed my wrists, my
 blood would’ve been green.  -  Bill "Greatest of All Time" Russell

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2014, 01:47:25 PM »

Offline LarBrd33

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Could be the last time we see some guys in Celtic uniforms.

Could be a farewell game for Green, Bass, Rondo, Bradley or even Sully.

If someone suspiciously sits out this game... do we start getting worried? 

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2014, 01:53:45 PM »

Offline JJ2525

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Could be the last time we see some guys in Celtic uniforms.

Could be a farewell game for Green, Bass, Rondo, Bradley or even Sully.

If someone suspiciously sits out this game... do we start getting jubilant?
FYP

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2014, 02:03:42 PM »

Offline furball

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Could be the last time we see some guys in Celtic uniforms.

Could be a farewell game for Green, Bass, Rondo, Bradley or even Sully.

If someone suspiciously sits out this game... do we start getting worried?

If I was Brad Stevens I would have Rondo stay in the locker room for the first five minutes just to see the internet explode.   ;D

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2014, 02:11:23 PM »

Offline LatterDayCelticsfan

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Maybe its Brad Stevens who gets traded to the Cavs for their coach and  an future 1sts. As for my actual BOLD PREDICTIONS, Sully gets 20 points and 20 rebounds, Gerald Wallace shoots more 3s than Gerald Green, and Bayless leads the team in assists.
Banner 18 please 😍

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2014, 05:42:28 PM »

Offline Diggles

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I hope no trades go on until after I watch Rondo put up a triple double in a win tonight live in PHX! 
Diggles

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2014, 06:46:01 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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Rondo ?

Hope he goes off

Sully too.


Not a suns fan

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2014, 06:51:39 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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Let the tanking continue.  But I'm looking forward to how they come out and play after several days off


Seems to me ...Stevens usually puts on a great show IF he has time to prepare .

Suns may prevail.......but it won't be a walk in the park

I think the Celtics got a really good shot at winning this ......if  Jeff Green shows up.

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2014, 09:08:51 PM »

Offline tyrone biggums

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If Jeff Green shows up they win by 5. If Jeff Green doesn't show up they lose by 12.

This has been the 2013-2014 Boston Celtics MO.

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2014, 09:09:17 PM »

Offline Chief

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I'm rooting for a win, a Bass trade, and a Rondo triple-double.
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
Larry Bird

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2014, 09:11:43 PM »

Offline Chief

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Gerald Wallace shut up!
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
Larry Bird

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2014, 09:12:00 PM »

Offline BleedGreen1989

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Rondo bringing back the headband!
*CB Miami Heat*
Kyle Lowry, Dwayne Wade, 13th pick in even numbered rounds, 18th pick in odd numbered rounds.

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2014, 09:12:10 PM »

Offline sed522002

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Headband Rondo!!! Expect magic...lol

Re: Celtics (19-35) at Suns (30-21) Game#55 2/19/14
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2014, 09:14:14 PM »

Offline tyrone biggums

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Headband Rondo??? TRIP DUB is Happening Tonight!