Tip: 7:30PM Court: TD Garden Watch it: CSNNE Hear it: WEEI
Referees: Tom Washington, Bennie Adams and Scott Twardoski
Spread: Boston -11, O/U: 191
Tickets to this and other great Celtics game
The Matchup
 |
 |
| Record: 19-17 | Record: 7-27 |
| At Home: 12-6 | On road: 4-13 |
| Streak: Won 5 | Streak: Lost 3 |
| Leaders | Leaders |
| Buckets: Pierce (19.6 ppg) | Buckets: Kemba Walker (17.6 ppg) |
| Boards: Garnett (7.0 rpg) | Boards: Byron Mullens (7.8 rpg) |
| Dimes: Rondo (11.1 apg) | Dimes: Walker (5.8 apg) |
| For the Stat Geeks: | For the Stat Geeks: |
| Offensive Rating: 102.9 (24th NBA) | Offensive Rating: 102.5 (25th NBA) |
| Defensive Rating: 103.6 (9th NBA) | Defensive Rating: 111.2 (29th NBA) |
| Pace: 91.1 (20th NBA) | Pace: 91.8 (12th NBA) |
Last time
The Celtics swept last season’s series, 3-0. During a 94-84 win in February, Paul Pierce surpassed Larry Bird on the team’s all-time scoring list. Boston won 102-95 in March behind a possessed Kevin Garnett. The Celtics were victorious in April minus Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and some shooting guard who now plays for Miami.
This time
Get it to: Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce
The Bobcats are dreadful on defense, specifically Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (thanks Chris Forsberg). There’s no reason why the Truth can’t work over the young Gilchrist and live at the free throw line tonight. Teams are shooting 46% vs Charlotte.
Gotta stop: Ben Gordon
I think I’m still scarred from Gordon’s performance vs Boston in the 08-09 playoffs. Gordon is having the best shooting (percentage) season of his career and he’s really cranked it up in January, averaging 19.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting. I’d sic Courtney Lee on him. And while I’m playing coach, I want to see Avery Bradley put the clamps on Kemba Walker.
The Wild Card: The second unit defense
Two of Charlotte’s top 3 scorers (Gordon and Ramon Sessions) come off the bench. Their second unit ranks 3rd in ppg (42). The Celtics can’t afford sleepy defensive efforts from Jeff Green, Jason Terry and Jared Sullinger.
How we see it goin’ down
This game screams letdown. The Celtics return from a two-day respite to face one of the worst teams in the league. We know what type of craptastic effort they are capable of in these types of situations.
The Celtics catch a break because Charlotte will likely be without Byron Mullens (11.6 ppg. 7.8 rpg), their top rebounder. He’s missed the last 9 with a sprained ankle.
This game will be closer than it should, but I’m not ready to pick against the Celtics.
Celtics 97
Bobcats 88
From last year:
“Charlotte’s bench scored 59 points. The Celtics reserves contributed 9 points.”
I REALLY would hate to see the Cs regress to that.
How we see it goin’ down? Play 48 min of basketball. Defend and rebound. Don’t take the Bobcats lightly, because theyre bad, then the C’s should be fine. I hope, because u never know with the ’13 Celtics.
This game would scream let down if Avery wasn’t playing. Lucky for us, that dude sets the tone with 100% effort no matter what jersey the other team is wearing.
I am expecting Rondo to not show up tonight. He could prove me wrong, but I dont think hes gunna try that hard against the Bobcats…
Oh I forgot the other part to my comment…
We should trade Rondo. He is terrible and is the reason the Celtics have zero wins this year. He should quit the NBA altogether.
Has he ever even played before? He’s the worst.
Maybe if Danny will talk about trading him he’ll play harder.
Sarcasm?
I prefer to call it satire
, but yes.
I swear if the C’s lose tonight to the Bobcat’s I’m punching a turtle in the shell..lol, but seriously they better not play down to them tonight.
I just LOL’ed at the thought of you punching my turtle.. don’t worry, no turtles will be harmed in the making of tonight’s win.
Her name’s Koopa
Thanks for reassuring me..lol. I think this will be another important game for the bench tonight.