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Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« on: March 29, 2015, 10:05:22 PM »

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Boston Celtics (32-41) at Charlotte Hornets  (31-41)
Monday, March 30, 2015
7:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #74 Road Game #37
TV: CSN-NE, SportSouth, NBA-LP 751(DTV)/751,752(XFinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WFNZ 610 AM
Time Warner Cable Arena




Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
Marcus Smart.....Avery Bradley....Evan Turner....Brandon Bass...Tyler Zeller

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

Injuries

Jared Sullinger (foot) out

Head Coach
Brad Stevens





Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
Kemba Walker....Gerald Henderson....Jeff Taylor....Marvin Williams....Al Jefferson

Hornets Reserves
Brian Roberts
Jason Maxiell
Lance Stephenson
Troy Daniels
PJ Hairston
Noah Vonleh
Bismack Biyombo
Mo Williams

Injuries

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle)  questionable
Cody Zeller (shoulder)  questionable

Head Coach

Steve Clifford

Game Notes
The Celtics travel to Charlotte for their 4th and final game with the Hornets.  The Hornets won the first two meetings, one in Charlotte 96-87, and one in Boston 104-95.  The Celtics came from behind to win the last meeting in Boston 106-98.  Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 28 points while Jonas Jerebko pitched in 16 points and 10 rebounds.  The Hornets were led by Mow Williams with 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist added 12 points and 11 rebounds.  Al Jefferson and Gerald Henderson added 14 each. 

The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games after a big loss to the Clippers at home on Sunday.   When at one time, back to back games struck fear in Celtics fandom, this team has been very good in back to back games.  The Celtics are 10-5 overall on the second night of back to back games.  They are 3-4 on the second night when the games are home-road but they have won 8 of their last 9 games on the second night. 

The Celtics are launching into a 5 games in 7 nights stretch, all of which are very important.  To say that this game is a must win is an understatement.  With the loss to the Clippers and wins by Miami, Brooklyn and Indiana, the Celtics took a big step back in their playoff chase.  Brooklyn has now taken over the 8th spot, dropping the Celtics back to 9th, tied with Indiana and Charlotte just 1/2 game behind them.  A loss in this one would be devastating to the Celtics playoff hopes. 

Charlotte snapped a 3 game losing streak when they beat the Hawks on Saturday.  This might be more impressive if the Hawks weren't sitting ALL 5 starters.  The Celtics have won their last 2 road games while losing 3 in a row at home.  The Celtics are 14-22 on the road while the Hornets are 17-19 at home. 

The Hornets might be without two of their regular starters.  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) and Cody Zeller (shoulder) are both listed as questionable for this game.   Jared Sullinger remains out for this game for the Celtics.  Isaiah Thomas fell a couple of times in Sunday's game and he was slow to get up so hopefully he will be able to play and be effective in this game.

Key Matchups
vs
Marcus Smart vs Kemba Walker
Walker was out in the last meeting between these teams and so this will be Smart's first game starting against him.  Walker is averaging 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.  Smart will need to find his game and play tough defense against Walker and somehow find a way to hit shots once again. 

vs
Tyler Zeller vs Al Jefferson
Zeller will need to defend Big Al, who can be a monster on offense.  But, Al has never been known for his lock down defense and so Tyler will need to get into the paint and score.  Big Al is averaging 17.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

Honorable Mention
Isaiah Thomas vs Mo Williams
Both players come off their team's bench to bring a spark to the team.  Isaiah still seems to be struggling with the sore back that kept him out for 2 weeks.  He was slow to get up a couple times when the Clippers hit him hard.  The Celtics need him to be back to his pre-injury production.  Mo Williams had a big game in the last meeting between these two teams with 31 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.  The Celtics need to keep him from going off on them again.

Keys to the Game
Run and Set the Pace - The Celtics must run every time down. They can't walk the ball up and settle for a half court game. When they run, they get easy baskets before the defense sets up. They have to do that on every play.

Get off to a Strong Start - The Celtics have trailed after the first quarter in their last 6 games.  They must get off to a better start and not dig a hole that the bench needs to try to dig out of.  The starters have to defend and they have to hit their shots.  They have gotten into the habit of spotting the opponents a big lead and they have to stop that if they expect to make the playoffs. 

Rebound - The Celtics can't run and they can't score if they don't have the ball. They must crash the boards as a team and put out the extra effort it takes to get the rebounds. Charlotte surrenders the fewest offensive rebounds per game at 8.6 per game. Much of rebounding is effort  and the Celtics must put out more effort, especially on the boards,than the Hornets if they want to win this game. 

Defense - Defense is always a key to getting a win. The Celtics have to get stops, especially down the stretch. The Hornets average just 95.0 points per game but they allow just 97.1 points per game. The Celtics will need to work harder on defense if they want to get the win.  They have to play as a team and trust each other on defense and have each others' backs. 

Be Aggressive - When the Celtics are aggressive going after loose balls, crashing the boards, defending and taking the ball hard to the hoop, they are very tough to beat. They have to be the more aggressive team and they have to be the team that plays harder. Being the more aggressive team will also usually get them more calls from the refs.

Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have to play hard from the opening tip until the final buzzer. Too often they get themselves into a big hole and then have to expend a lot of energy to come back, or they get a big lead and then give it up. They have to play hard for all 48 minutes.

Move the Ball but Limit Turnovers
- The Celtics must move the ball and find the open man. They struggle to score when the ball stops moving. At the same time, they have to limit turnovers. They give away way too many points by making careless passes and by losing focus. The Hornets turn the ball over just 11 times a game, which is the fewest in the league. The Celtics have to take care of the ball and keep their turnovers low as well.

X-Factors
Focus and Effort

The Celtics should be able to beat the Hornets but they need to stay focused from start to finish.  They have to focus on making their shots as they won't win many games shooting less than 40%.  And they have to focus on playing as a team and playing tough defense and executing, especially on the road.  They can't afford to come out and play at half speed yet again.  They must come out and give 100% from start to finish. 

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2015, 10:09:42 PM »

Offline mahcus smaht

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TP for the quick and good work! Lets put that miserable game behind us. I dont care if you are a tanker or an 8 seed guy, that game was PAINFUL!!!


Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2015, 10:10:29 PM »

Offline Rondo9

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I still believe that the Celtics can make the playoffs.

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2015, 10:17:23 PM »

Online FLCeltsFan

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Thanks mahcus smaht and a TP for being the first to post in the thread.

And a TP to Rondo9 for your positive thoughts.

Go Celtics!!!!!! 

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2015, 10:26:49 PM »

Offline slamtheking

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tp for getting a jumpstart on the next game FL

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2015, 10:49:00 PM »

Offline jpotter33

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I still believe that the Celtics can make the playoffs.

Same here, but I think they desperately need a win against the Hornets to do so.

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2015, 10:49:43 PM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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thanks again flc for one more fabulouse game thread. these are an institution for cb by now. you are on your way to the cb hof, for sure.

i noticed you had hats today. is this is help our aching heads recover from all the trappist monk beer that last time?  ;)

gooooooo 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.
- Vandana Shiva

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2015, 05:12:01 PM »

Offline greece66

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This game will decide whether we make it to the playoffs!
As did the last fifteen ones

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2015, 05:32:31 PM »

Offline D.o.s.

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This game will decide whether we make it to the playoffs!
As did the last fifteen ones
;D
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: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2015, 05:47:22 PM »

Offline Quetzalcoatl

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Thanks mahcus smaht and a TP for being the first to post in the thread.

And a TP to Rondo9 for your positive thoughts.

Go Celtics!!!!!!

That is a great idea.  I just made a post to second your suggestion that FL be inducted

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=77269.new#new

TP to you and to FL!

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2015, 05:55:55 PM »

Offline makaveli

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bradley will have an off game today, he's still recovering from Reddick rape yesterday.
what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2015, 06:45:24 PM »

Offline greece66

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Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2015, 06:55:28 PM »

Offline greece66

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Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2015, 07:07:16 PM »

Offline jpotter33

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I really think a starting lineup change needs to be made if we're going to get in the playoffs. I like the CB article saying put Crowder and IT in for Smart and Turner, and those two could beast on the second unit, too.

Re: Celtics (32-41) at Hornets (31-41) Game #74 3/30/15
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2015, 07:15:36 PM »

Offline greece66

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Good start  ;D