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Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« on: February 22, 2015, 09:16:32 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Boston Celtics (20-33) at Phoenix Suns (29-27)
Monday, February 23, 2015
9:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #53, Road Game #26
TV: CSNNE, FSAZ, NBA-LP 758(DTV)/757(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, AZ Sports 98.7
US Airways Center





Probable Starters

PG: Marcus Smart ...................... SG: Avery Bradley

C:  Tyler Zeller

SG: Evan Turner ................ PF: Brandon Bass


Celtics Reserves

Gerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
James Young
Phil Pressey
Shavlik Randolph
Isaiah Thomas
Jonas Jerebko
Gigi Datome

Injuries
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) out
Jared Sullinger (foot)  out

Head Coach

Brad Stevens





Probable Starters

PG: Eric Bledsoe ................. SG: Gerald Green

C:  Alex Len

SF: PJ Tucker ................ PF: Markieff Morris

Suns Reserves
Brandon Knight
Marcus Morris
Brandan Wright
Archie Goodwin
Earl Barron
Reggie Bullock
Marcus Thornton
TJ Warren
Danny Granger

Injuries
None

Head Coach
Jeff Hornacek
(former Celtic Jerry Sichting and former Celtics assistant Mike Longabardi are assistant coaches)

Game Notes

The Celtics complete their 3 game western road trip with a visit to the Phoenix Suns.   This is the second of two games between these two teams.  The Suns won the first meeting 118-114 in Boston back in November.  Both teams have undergone considerable roster changes since that game.   Only 8 Suns players remain from the 15 that were on their opening night roster. 

The Suns won the season series 2-0 last season and have won 3 straight against the Celtics overall.  The Celtics are playing in back to back games, having lost in OT against the long time rival Lakers on Sunday night.   The Suns are 16-11 at home and have lost their last 4 games.  The Celtics are 8-18 on the road. 

The Celtics and Suns will forever be linked by Game 5 of the 1976 Finals, which is one of the greatest games ever played.   Boston won the triple overtime game 128-126 at the Boston Garden after Garfield Heard hit the "shot heard round the world" to send the game into the 3rd OT. 

Key Matchups
vs
Marcus Smart vs Eric Bledsoe
This will be a good test for the Celtics' rookie point guard.  Bledsoe is averaging 17 points, 5.9 assists and 1.67 steals.  Smart needs to play tough defense to keep him from getting the Suns into their offense quickly. 

vs
Brandon Bass vs Markieff Morris
Morris has been playing well, averaging 15.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.  He is also shooting a league best 57.7% in the final 2 minutes of single possession games so if it's a close game, the Celtics need to play especially close attention to him. 

Honorable Mention
Avery Bradley vs Gerald Green
Former Celtic Gerald Green is averaging 12.5 points per game mostly off the bench for the Suns.   This is just his 4th start for the season and he Has started
three times this season and he averaged 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds  in the previous 3 starts.   He can catch on fire and have a big game if not closely guarded.

Keys to the Game
Play 48 Minutes
-  The Celtics have to start strong because they can't expect to dig themselves out of a hole on the second night of a back to back.  They need to keep their focus from the opening tip to the final buzzer and continue to play hard. No let ups!

Run, Run, Run! - The Suns are a running team and are 2nd in the league in fast break points with 17.3. If the Celtics want to keep up with them, they are going to need to run as well in spite of being tired from playing the night before. 

Defense - Defense is always a key to winning. The Celtics will need to play tough team defense if they want to slow down the fast paced Suns offense. The Celtics have got to get stops as they won't outscore the Suns in a shoot out.  You can't win without defense.

Rebound - The Celtics need to rebound on the offensive end to give themselves extra possessions and to prevent the Suns from racking up fast break points. They also have to crash the boards on the defensive end to prevent the Suns from getting second chance points and to give themselves fast break opportunities.

X-Factors

Revenge Factor and Fatigue
The Suns have 3 former Celtics on their team and the Celtics have 2 former Suns on their team.  Could this be the Wright/Thornton/Green revenge game or will it be the Isaiah Thomas and Shavlik Randolph revenge game?   Fatigue may come into play down the stretch as the Celtics play in the second of back to back games on the road after a tough OT loss the night before. 
« Last Edit: February 23, 2015, 12:52:25 AM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2015, 09:22:09 PM »

Offline Chief

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First! Tp FL!
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
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Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2015, 09:31:54 PM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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ha, ha, ha...flc, you have to be the busiest beaver in all of celticsblog land.  :D another thread already????? i dont know where you find the time, but i am sooooo happy you find it.

great thread as usual. i am still waiting for the day your tps surpass your posts. shouldnt be too long from now.  ;D

suns? they dont have a chance against the mighty, mighty celtics!!!

goooooo celtics!!!!!!
I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred.
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Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2015, 09:32:16 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Thanks Chief!  TP to you for being the first to post in the thread. 

Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2015, 09:33:25 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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TP to you as well hwangjini_1 just because your posts always make me smile!!!  Go Celtics!!! 

Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2015, 09:46:12 PM »

Offline slamtheking

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early start FL.  TP for being pro-active

Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2015, 12:33:37 AM »

Offline Nerf DPOY

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Monday 2/23 not Wednesday 2/19. :)

Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2015, 12:47:52 AM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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early start FL.  TP for being pro-active
heck as long as i am giving out tps, one for you slam. i just cant resist your ultra cute hamster.  ;D
I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred.
- Vandana Shiva

Re: Celtics (20-32) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2015, 12:49:57 AM »

Offline GratefulCs

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We got this one! TP flcelts
I trust Danny Ainge

Re: Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2015, 06:31:38 PM »

Offline Green-Bananas

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Hope the kids play better then last night and get a much needed W.

thanks FLCF

Re: Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2015, 06:37:14 PM »

Offline celticsclay

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Lets make up for last night!!!!!!!

Re: Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2015, 06:55:39 PM »

Offline ImShakHeIsShaq

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This is going to be tough, we must be tired (you could see fatigue in the OT). I still think we take it! Let's go!
It takes me 3hrs to get to Miami and 1hr to get to Orlando... but I *SPIT* on their NBA teams! "Bless God and bless the (Celts)"-Lady GaGa (she said gays but she really meant Celts)

Re: Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2015, 07:14:09 PM »

Offline jpotter33

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Let's hope IT goes off for 30+!

Re: Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2015, 07:16:02 PM »

Offline Celts Fan 508

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IT was awesome last night until the ejection, just imagine what he does tonight, TP FL for another great job!
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Re: Celtics (20-33) at Suns (29-27) Game #53 2/23/15
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2015, 09:13:22 PM »

Offline slamtheking

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early start FL.  TP for being pro-active
heck as long as i am giving out tps, one for you slam. i just cant resist your ultra cute hamster.  ;D
thanks H - one back at ya