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Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« on: April 15, 2014, 10:17:21 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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at
Washington Wizards (43-38) at Boston Celtics (25-56)
Wednesday, April 16,2014
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #82 Home Game #15
TV: CSN-NE, Comcast Sportsnet,NBA-LP 760(DTV) /760(xfinity)
Radio: WBZ, WFED AM
TD Garden




Probable Starters

PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Jeff Green
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Kelly Olynyk

Celtics Reserves
Joel Anthony
Chris Johnson
Chris Babb

Injuries
Keith Bogans (personal) out
Vitor Faverani (knee) out
Gerald Wallace (knee) out
Jared Sullinger (ankle) questionable
Kris Humphries (knee) questionable
Rajon Rondo (shin) questionable
Jerryd Bayless (knee) questionable




Probable Starters

PG: John Wall
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Trevor Ariza
PF: Trevor Booker
C: Marcin Gortat

Wizards Reserves
Martell Webster
Garrett Temple
Kevin Seraphin
Otto Porter
Chris Singleton
Al Harrington
Glen Rice, Jr
Andre Miller
Drew Gooden
Nene

Injuries
None

Game Notes

On the final day of the regular season, the Celtics host the Washington Wizards.  The Wizards lead the series 2 games to one.  The Celtics are 16-24 at home while the Wizards are 21-19 on the road.   The Wizards have won their last 3 games while the Celtics lost their last game and are just 2-8 in their last 10 games. 

Far from a meaningless game, both teams have plenty to play for.  The Wizards are one game ahead of Charlotte for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.  A win Wednesday for the Wizards would guarantee a finish no worse than sixth. Along with a Toronto victory at New York, they'd face the Raptors in the first round, while a Raptors loss combined with a Chicago win in Charlotte would lead to a first-round matchup with the Bulls.     But if Washington loses and Charlotte defeats Chicago, the Wizards will slide to seventh place and play Miami

The Celtics are playing for pride and for the fans.  It was a year ago that the city of Boston was devastated by the Marathon bombings.  It is the last home game and the players have said that they would like to honor the fans in this last game.  As for standing,  the Celtics are in the 5th spot for the lottery.  They are 1 game behind Utah for the  4th spot and one game ahead of the Lakers for the 6th spot.  With the Jazz playing the Timberwolves and the Lakers playing the Spurs,  both teams have a good chance of losing.   

The Celtics will more than likely be short handed once again.  Kris Humphries, Jared Sullinger, Jerryd Bayless, and Rajon Rondo are all questionable for this game.  I've listed the probable starters according to the Game Notes but it's possible that Rondo may not play.   

It's hard to believe that game #82 is here and the season is over.    I want to thank everyone for their nice comments and Tommy Points on the game threads and for loyally supporting the Celtics, whether it was cheering for wins or for lottery balls.   It's going to be a fun off season. 

Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo vs John Wall
Wall is playing very well, averaging 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. He leads the league in total assists this season. Wall always takes this matchup personally after feeling that he was slighted for the All Star Game in favor of Rondo. If Rondo can't go, it will fall to Phil Pressey to match up with Wall and try to slow him down. 

vs
Avery Bradley vs Bradley Beal
 Avery will have his hands full with Beal, who is averaging 17.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Avery has been shooting the ball very well also and should make Beal work on the defensive end. 

Honorable Mention

Kelly Olynyk vs Marcin Gortat
Gortat is averaging 13.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.  He has given the Celtics problems in the past and they will need to keep him out of the paint and away from the basket. 

Keys to the Game
Focus - The Celtics have stretches in almost every game where they seem to lose focus and can't seem to hit a shot and turn the ball over way too many times.  Things like 5 second violations and dribbling out the clock just shouldn't happen.  The Celtics need to find a way to stay focused and play well throughout the game and not just in spurts. 

Defense - The Celtics need to especially defend the 3 point line. Washington is 2nd in the league in 3 point percentage. But they can't ignore the paint either as Gortat can go strong to the basket as can their guards. The Celtics need to play team defense as the Wizards have 7 players averaging 10 points or more per game so they have to cover everyone and have each others' backs.

Move the Ball
- The Celtics play their best when they move the ball and find the open man. They play their worst when they over dribble and each player tries to do too much. They need to keep the ball moving, including getting up the floor quickly before the defense gets set.

Rebound - The Celtics must crash the boards and put out extra effort to grab rebounds. The Wizards are good at getting out on the break when they can get defensive rebounds and they are also good at getting put backs and second chance points when they get offensive rebounds.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be the more aggressive team in going to the basket, in diving for loose balls, in grabbing rebounds and just in playing harder. They have to be the team that wants it more and plays harder.

X-Factors
Motivation and Injuries
The Wizards are playing for playoff position and to avoid playing the Heat in the first round.  The Celtics are playing for the fans and for pride, to end the season on a high note.  Which motivation will be stronger? 
Will the Celtics have enough players to get through the game?  With all the injuries,  they may just run out of gas before the end of the game. 

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2014, 10:22:36 PM »

Offline lightspeed5

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lets lose this one!  ;D come on guys, just a couple bad passes and horrid shots and we can get more lotto balls.

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2014, 10:26:30 PM »

Offline goCeltics

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we need to lose this one badly, looks like the nets are tanking to get the sixth seed, we need to counter any counter tanking by the wiz, it will benefit both our picks to lose

the bulls bobcats game start one hour earlier hopefully the bobcats jump out to an early lead so as to keep the wiz honest

btw think pressley is missing from the preview
« Last Edit: April 15, 2014, 10:33:24 PM by goCeltics »

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2014, 10:40:50 PM »

Offline Rondo9

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Last game..... I hope they go out with a win.

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2014, 10:46:50 PM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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all right. another season wraps up. now is the time for our celtics to step up to the plate and bring home the loss.  ;D

gooooo celtics...right into a good draft position.
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Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2014, 11:12:45 PM »

Offline Smokeeye123

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So are the Wizards resting or do they have a reason to win this game?
« Last Edit: April 15, 2014, 11:18:07 PM by Smokeeye123 »

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2014, 11:26:47 PM »

Offline saltlover

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So are the Wizards resting or do they have a reason to win this game?

A win means they avoid the Heat in the first round.  Definitely something to play for.

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2014, 07:28:20 AM »

Offline Boston Garden Leprechaun

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LET'S GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S GO CELTICS!

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2014, 07:38:00 AM »

Offline Boston Garden Leprechaun

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lets lose this one!  ;D come on guys, just a couple bad passes and horrid shots and we can get more lotto balls.

I won't ever say that but can we try to win with just anthony, babb, pressey and johnson and bass??? lol
LET'S GO CELTICS!

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2014, 07:39:17 AM »

Offline Boston Garden Leprechaun

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So are the Wizards resting or do they have a reason to win this game?

A win means they avoid the Heat in the first round.  Definitely something to play for.

wow. then they should be pumped up and ready. I would not want the heat either if I was them.
LET'S GO CELTICS!

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2014, 07:40:28 AM »

Offline LatterDayCelticsfan

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Que the image of R. Kelly and a church choir in Celtics' gear singing 'the season's over' to the tune of Storm is over. Its been a rough ride. Anyway as for our final BOLD PREDICTIONS. I see Brad Stevens being ruled out with migraines, Rondo signing off with a triple double and Sullinger leading the game in made 3s.
Banner 18 please 😍

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2014, 09:15:43 AM »

Offline Eddie20

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May 20th can't come quick enough

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2014, 09:16:43 AM »

Online Birdman

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May 20th can't come quick enough
I AGREE!!!!
C/PF-Horford, Baynes, Noel, Theis, Morris,
SF/SG- Tatum, Brown, Hayward, Smart, Semi, Clark
PG- Irving, Rozier, Larkin

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2014, 10:00:24 AM »

Offline D.o.s.

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Que the image of R. Kelly and a church choir in Celtics' gear singing 'the season's over' to the tune of Storm is over. Its been a rough ride. Anyway as for our final BOLD PREDICTIONS. I see Brad Stevens being ruled out with migraines, Rondo signing off with a triple double and Sullinger leading the game in made 3s.

TP for 50+ Bold Predictions over this hellish season.
At least a goldfish with a Lincoln Log on its back goin' across your floor to your sock drawer has a miraculous connotation to it.

Re: Wizards (43-38) at Celtics (25-56) Game #82 4/16/14
« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2014, 10:23:31 AM »

Offline Celtics18

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Hoping for a win to close out the season. 

Let's go Celtics!!
DKC Seventy-Sixers:

PG: G. Hill/D. Schroder
SG: C. Lee/B. Hield/T. Luwawu
SF:  Giannis/J. Lamb/M. Kuzminskas
PF:  E. Ilyasova/J. Jerebko/R. Christmas
C:    N. Vucevic/K. Olynyk/E. Davis/C. Jefferson