Game 9: Boston @ Orlando

CelticBalla32 · Nov 18, 2007

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November 18, 2007 @ 6:00pm ET
Amway Arena (Orlando, FL)
Game aired on NBA TV & CSN

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Boston Celtics
 (8-0)


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Orlando Magic
(8-2)


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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Rondo SG Allen

SF Pierce PF Garnett C Perkins


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PG Nelson SG Bogans

SF Turkoglu PF Lewis C Howard

 
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<h4>Team Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>102.8 PPG (8th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>50.0% (1st)</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>39.4% (5th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>42.3 RPG (18th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>24.6 APG (4th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>102.7 PPG (9th)
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>45.4% (14th)
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>38.8% (6th)
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>44.5 RPG (8th)
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>22.1 APG (9th)
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<h4>Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Paul Pierce (22.0 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett (13.6 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Rajon Rondo (5.0 APG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Dwight Howard (21.8 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Dwight Howard (15.0 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Jameer Nelson (6.7 APG)</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup
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Kendrick Perkins vs. Dwight Howard

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What a matchup this is going to be. These two guys are beasts in their own right. Dwight, as we know, is an absolute freak of nature across the board. Perk may not be able to put a sticker at the top of the backboard, but he can cause some problems inside. He did a solid job on Dwight last year the second time Orlando came to Boston, and he needs to do it again tonight. It's a good thing these teams don't play tomorrow night, because Dwight/Perk will be a little sore after going at it.

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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Perimeter Defense: This is something we haven't said about the Orlando Magic for a couple years, but they have some real shooters to pay attention to. Hedo Turkoglu has been playing well, Keith Bogans has improved his shot, Jameer Nelson is a threat when he's hot, and we all know what Rashard Lewis is capable of doing. Boston's perimeter defense is key in this game.

[*]Limit Turnovers: Other than a couple games, the Celtics have turned the ball over way too much in this young season. Granted, they've pulled out with a W each time, but it's still unacceptable. The C's turned it over 18 times on Friday and are averaging 16.9 per game. That needs to be lowered to the 12-13 range. Another thing is that the Magic will run and convert off turnovers. We can't let that happen.

[*]Own the Boards: I've been very pleased with the winning, but somewhat surprised that we aren't one of the top rebounding teams. We should be in the top 10 at the least, and I think we need to really hound the glass tonight. Orlando statistically is a better rebounding team, but I don't buy it. Outside of Dwight Howard, they really aren't all that intimidating, to me. We need to win that rebounding column and show that we are a better rebounding team than the stat sheet may say thus far in the season.
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<ul>[*]Control the Tempo: Orlando has been trying to play a faster paced game under Stan Van Gundy, and so far so good. They need to control the pace of the game against the Celtics tonight, because they'll run into a lot of problems on both ends of the floor if the Celtics can make this a halfcourt battle.

[*]Defense: Orlando is capable of playing solid team defense, although it isn't there every night. It needs to be there tonight, for obvious reasons. They are clearly going to have their toughest defensive assignment of the year defending Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Guys need to step up defensively if they are going to have a shot at winning this game.

[*]Exploit the Matchup Advantages: Orlando causes a lot of matchup problems for us. Lewis will likely be matched up with KG quite a bit, and visa-versa. With Lewis floating out to the perimeter, it keeps Garnett away from the basket and off the defensive glass. Of course there will be times where he'll hustle in from the 3-point line to grab a rebound anyway, but it would be a big help if Lewis can keep him distant, for the most part. The other advantage? Dwight Howard is physically superior to most living things, period.
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<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
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 Kendrick Perkins

Two words: Dwight Howard. The guy is an absolute monster. Perk did a very good job with staying out of foul trouble on Shaq the other night, and he needs to do it again. Shaq is still a load to handle, of course, but Dwight is a whole different beast. Perk needs to stay out of foul trouble, put a body on him, box him out, and make sure he doesn't get too many dunks.

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 Rashard Lewis

As previously mentioned, Lewis presents a matchup problem for the Celtics. He takes Kevin Garnett away from the basket on defense, because Lewis is one of the top shooters in the game who needs to be heavily respected out on the perimeter. I expect the Celtics to go small as well, with Posey at the 4 and Garnett at the 5, but this is still a concern for the C's.

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<h4 align="center">Injury Report </h4>
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None.
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Tony Battie: Torn left rotator cuff.
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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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<td colspan="2">This is going to be a tough matchup for the Celtics, and should be an excellent game. Orlando has a very good chance at ruining the winning streak, and I wouldn't be very surprised if they did. However, with that said, I can't go against my C's. I have to stay confident and predict 9-0.
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Note: I likely won't write a recap for this one either, because I won't be able to see this game until the replay is aired. I have to work 3-10 tonight, unfortunately. Oh well, I'll have to get used to this with the C's playing four Sunday games next month.

SportsTicker · Nov 18, 2007

cool game thread.

CelticKing · Nov 18, 2007

Biggest test for our boys so far.

I say Celtics win.

Boston 116 - 105 Orlando

KG 29pts 16rbs 5blks

Dark Defender · Nov 18, 2007

Dwight is a beast but he is no Shaq yet, the best way to stop him is to double him in the post. Though you risk a wide open Lewis or Hedo but he rarely scores on the double team, hes not there yet.

aquaitious · Nov 18, 2007

The Magic are just running all over us from the Get-Go.We need Perk to start dominating that Howard guy!EDIT: And just as I say that Perk takes it to Howard and gets a foul. ;-)

JE · Nov 18, 2007

this is embarassing

JE · Nov 18, 2007

these refs mustbe good pals w/ Donaghy

44Thrilla · Nov 18, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (David_Ortiz)</div><div class='quotemain'>

these refs mustbe good pals w/ Donaghy

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Come on, the refs have nothing to do with the Celtics sucking right now. The Magic look like the better team right now, by far.

#1AntoineWalkerFan · Nov 18, 2007

rashard lewis is making everyone look dumb who said his signing was a robbery...him and howard will be a great tandem for years to come...the celts should regroup at half...i dont expect orlando to keep shooting as well as they are and i dont expect boston to keep shooting as poorly as they are

JE · Nov 18, 2007

this really is pathetic. way to ruin my fucking night, losing by 20 to a team that we are way better than. fuck it al

GArenas · Nov 18, 2007

Uh oh, the Celtics are finally going to lose a game.

#1AntoineWalkerFan · Nov 18, 2007

keep talking arenas...whenever you make guarantees against the c's its a good thing

JE · Nov 18, 2007

finally something going our way. THANK YOU LORD JESUS!!!!!!

JE · Nov 18, 2007

love Pierce







hate Lewis

JE · Nov 18, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Uh oh, the Celtics are finally going to lose a game.

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And you guys lost 5. happy?

SportsTicker · Nov 18, 2007

cut the lead to 5 - come on!

JE · Nov 18, 2007

Tommy just said this was a 'fun' game. Try extremely frustrating. B/C KG just picked up his 5th foul. See ya Celtics.

JE · Nov 18, 2007

3-pt FG for House! Now i'm waiting for the other shoe to drop (within two)

JE · Nov 18, 2007

3 for Posey and we got the lead.

#1AntoineWalkerFan · Nov 18, 2007

now that the refs arent giving every single call to the magic the celts are dominating

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Game 9: Boston @ Orlando

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

SportsTicker News Feed

CelticKing The Green Monster

Dark Defender The Dark Passenger

aquaitious Celtic Fan

JE Suspended

JE Suspended

44Thrilla cuatro cuatro

#1AntoineWalkerFan Where Shimmy Happens...

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GArenas Wiz Fo Champz

#1AntoineWalkerFan Where Shimmy Happens...

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