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Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« on: January 21, 2015, 10:47:37 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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  at 
Boston Celtics (13-26) at Portland Trailblazers (31-12)
Thursday, January 22, 2015
10:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #40, Road Game #18
TV: CSNNE, KGW, NBA-LP 752(DTV), 752(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, Rip City 620
Moda Center



Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Evan Turner vs Damian Lillard

Shooting Guard

vs
Avery Bradley vs Wesley Matthews

Small Forward
vs
Jae Crowder vs Nicolas Batum

Power Forward

vs
Jared Sullinger vs Dorrel Wright

Center
  vs 
Tyler Zeller vs Chris Kaman





Celtics Reserves

Phil Pressey
Brandon Bass
Kelly Olynyk
Gerald Wallace
Marcus Smart
Marcus Thornton
Tayshaun Prince
Shavlik Randolph

Injuries
James Young  (illness)  doubtful

Head Coach
Brad Stevens 


Blazers Reserves
Steve Blake
Allen Crabbe
Will Barton
CJ McCollum
Meyers Leonard
Thomas Robinson
Victor Claver

Injuries
Robin Lopez  (hand)  out
Joel Freeland (shoulder)  out
LaMarcus Aldridge (hand)  out

Head Coach
Terry Stotts

Game Notes

The Celtics begin one of the toughest stretches of games of any team this season as they take on the Portland Trailblazers.  This is the first of back to backs as they will head to Denver for a game on Friday.  Then one day off and another back to back set against the Warriors and the Jazz.  They will play 4 games in 5 nights and travel  3,101 miles and cross a couple of time zones in the process.

Entering this game, they have had a couple of days off after their Monday afternoon loss to the LA Clippers and so hopefully will be rested and refreshed after a rare practice and a couple of days in Los Angeles.  James Young was back at practice, but is still not 100% isn't expected to play in this game.  The Celtics have lost 24 games in a row against Western Conference teams on the road and are looking to break that streak on this trip. 

The Celtics may catch a break in that the Blazers are playing in the second of back to back games and had to travel back from Phoenix after a tough road loss.  Also, LaMarcus Aldridge injured his hand in Monday's win over the Kings. He isn't expected to play in this one and that will make things a bit easier for Jared Sullinger.   The Blazers are 3-1 without Aldridge.

Key Matchups
vs
Evan Turner vs Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard is playing very well and will be a tough matchup for Evan Turner.   Lillard is averaging 22.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game.  Turner has a height advantage but that's about it.  But slowing Lillard down will be key to the Celtics being able to stay in this game.

vs
Avery Bradley vs Wesley Matthews
Matthews is averaging 16.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds.  He is capable of putting up a lot of points in a hurry if the Celtics don't slow him down. 

Keys to the Game

Pace and Space - The Celtics must push the pace of the game as that may be the only way they have a chance against this tough Blazers team. They also have to move the basketball without turning it over to get open shots.

Rebound
- The Celtics must make an extra effort to grab rebounds in order to give themselves extra possessions as well as to keep the Blazers from cashing in with second chance points.  In their first meeting this season, the Blazers out-rebounded the Celtics 55-46 and the Celtics have to do better in this game. 

Defense - The Celtics have been able to score for the most part, but they have been failing on defense. They must play tough in your face defense.  They have to do a better job defending the 3 point line or the Blazers will make them pay if they don't.

Energy and Focus - The Celtics have to be the team that works harder and wants the win more. They have to dive for loose balls, go for every rebound and just hustle on every play.  They have to keep their focus and avoid turning the ball over and taking bad shots.   The Celtics have to be the more aggressive team on both ends of the court. 

Go to the Hoop -  The Blazers lead the league in defending the 3 point line, allowing just 5.3 three pointers per game on 29.8% shooting.  The Celtics need to get into the paint and not settle for 3 pointers in this game as chances are that they will be well defended. 

X-Factors
Jet Lag and Fatigue
The Celtics have had a couple days off while the Blazers played the night before and had to travel on top of it.  Fatigue could become a factor for the Blazers, but being on West Coast time could affect the Celtics. 
« Last Edit: January 22, 2015, 09:18:09 AM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-11) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2015, 12:35:45 AM »

Offline Adelaide Celt

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Thwarted by 12 seconds last game thread - FIRST this time!

With no Aldridge, Lopez or Freeland and Blazers on 2nd night of a back to back, I think Boston wins this one.
NO AMOUNT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION, HORMONAL OR SURGICAL MUTILATION WILL EVER CHANGE A PERSON'S GENDER

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-11) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2015, 01:09:55 AM »

Offline LatterDayCelticsfan

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FREE SHAVLIK RANDOLPH!
Banner 18 please 😍

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-11) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2015, 01:20:27 AM »

Offline Nerf DPOY

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Young still doubtful? >:( What's he got Mono? Booooo.

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-11) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2015, 07:23:09 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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And a TP Adelaide Celt for bing first to post in the game thread!   

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2015, 09:36:54 AM »

Offline slamtheking

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TP FL  - not first to the party this time but still a bang-up job on the game post

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2015, 09:58:54 AM »

Online hwangjini_1

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great thread for a great game! thanks flc, and tp to you for all the hard work.

geez, kaman is STILL in the nba? i guess being tall counts for a lot.

gooooo celtics!!!
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Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2015, 05:54:52 PM »

Offline greece66

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Plan is to sleep now (1 am Gr time) wake up after 4 hours (5 am Gr time) when game starts, let you know if it worked.

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2015, 05:56:31 PM »

Offline tyrone biggums

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The game might not start on time. There's a delay on getting Ron Borges out to Portland so he can measure the rims.

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2015, 05:59:36 PM »

Offline celticsclay

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does anyone have the psi levels for the balls!

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2015, 09:32:54 PM »

Offline Beat LA

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I know that this doesn't have anything to do with anything, lol ;D, but there are a lot of interesting usernames on this blog, and I was just wondering if anyone had ever considered using this horrific pun as theirs - Parishthethought. ::) (Groans).  I know, it's bad, lol. ;D

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2015, 09:44:50 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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Trap game for Portland ....

Go Celtics  ;D


Perfect storm

Celtics with a miracle win tonight !
« Last Edit: January 22, 2015, 09:55:07 PM by SHAQATTACK »

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2015, 09:52:13 PM »

Offline manl_lui

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not really a trap game, Damian Lillard will go off tonight!

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2015, 09:58:28 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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Celtics to unleash the "defensive beast" .....Bass on Portland ......we ll own them..... :)

Re: Celtics (13-26) at Trailblazers (31-12) Game #40 1/22/15
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2015, 10:06:48 PM »

Offline Mazingerz

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Celtics to unleash the "defensive beast" .....Bass on Portland ......we ll own them..... :)

And don't forgot "Tayshaun Prince of Darkness" !
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