NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) <h3>Celtics look to snap eight-game skid to Bulls</h3> <div class="pre">Boston (16-2) at Chicago (6-11) 8:30 pm EST</div> CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics haven't had much successagainst the Chicago Bulls lately, dropping their last eightgames. But the losing streak occurred before Kevin Garnett and Ray Allenarrived in Boston. When the two teams face off on Saturday,the Celtics will bring the NBA's best record at 16-2. Boston moved to 10-0 at home on Friday with a 112-84 rout of theToronto Raptors. Garnett scored 23 points, Paul Pierce added18 and Allen finished with 13 for the Celtics. The Raptors wereplaying without the services of Chris Bosh (strained rightgroin) and Andrea Bargnani (hyperextended left knee). With a 6-2 mark, Boston is one of 10 teams that has a winningroad record. The Celtics, 13-2 against Eastern Conferenceteams, have won their last two road games and five overall. Chicago is coming off a 98-91 victory over Detroit on Friday.Former Piston Ben Wallace had 10 points and 13 rebounds for theBulls, who are 3-4 at home and 5-6 against Eastern Conferenceteams. Chicago's bench outscored Detroit's, 45-14, in ending thePistons' five-game winning streak.
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Talk some smack to me, CB32. Bulls have beaten Dallas and Detroit (on a 6-game win streak no less) the past two games.</p> </p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'> Talk some smack to me, CB32. Bulls have beaten Dallas and Detroit (on a 6-game win streak no less) the past two games.</p> </p></div> I'llbethefirsttosayit:Youguysareapathetic6-11.haha.j/k.ActuallyI'msurprisedyouguysstartedtheseasonthisway.Reallydidn'texpectthis.</p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) I like our chances in this game. Celtics are definitely a beastly team, but I think a good defensive/rebounding team like ours poses the best match to beat them. If we get ahead, we have to go for the kill on them. I don't feel comfortable in a down to the wire game against Pierce, Allen, and Garnett. </p> I expect Gordon to go for 30, and Garnett to torch our bitches downlow.</p> </p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Big game for both teams.</p> And I agree with what you said BG7.</p> I'm hoping we get a W.</p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) My game preview would be this:</p> Pierce vs. Deng - Pierce historically has poor games against us, hopefully that continues. Deng has been super since coming back from his rest for back problems - against Detroit 17 points, 9 boards, 4 steals. Deng has to have a great game to win this matchup.</p> Garnett vs. Smith and Noah - Garnett is going to get his, but Noah is a pretty good matchup against him - this is something to watch for. Smith has started the past two games red hot and could be a boost for us early. Garnett is going to outscore Smith and Noah combined, tho I am sure we will win the rebound battle. Garnett easily wins this matchup, IMO.</p> Allen vs. Gordon - The big difference maker for Boston is going to be Allen - Billups and Rip combined for over 50 points against us in Detroit on very effective shooting. To counter Allen's expected good game, Gordon has to answer.</p> Perkins vs. Wallace - Wallace has been earning his pay the past few games and I think is going to easily win the matchup with Perkins.</p> Posey vs. Nocioni - Nocioni has been unconscious the past few games and tho I like Posey a LOT, wins that matchup.</p> Rondo vs. Hinrich - Rondo wins the PG matchup unless Kirk shows up. Kirk, from time to time, puts up single games that are equivalent to Rondo's entire month of December (so far). Problem is, Kirk's not looking like Kirk of last year, so it's not at all a given that he wins the matchup.</p> House vs. Duhon - House is a definite sparkplug off the bench for the Celtics, and normally it'd be a no-brainer to say he wins this matchup. However, Duhon has averaged 12 points, 5 assists, near 2 steals, and has shot 14-25 in the last 3 games. Duhon plays at this level, the edge in the matchup is his.</p> That's the top 7/8 matchups in the two teams' rotations. If the rest of the roster players matter, the game is anyone's.</p> As I see it, the keys for the Bulls to win this one are for them to play the same kind of D they did against Detroit, Gordon has to come to play, Hinrich has to show up, Duhon has to continue his recent high level of play. Don't get me wrong, the makings of a blowout are here - Boston is near unbeatable and wins by 14 points or more a lot. Boston leads the league by a considerable amount as a team in terms of defense and FGA% against. If the game goes at Boston's pace/style, it's going to be ugly for Bulls' fans. If the teams somehow seem to both have difficulty scoring, it could be a close one that the Bulls could pull out.</p> </p>
NBA: BOSTON at CHICAGO <div class="pre">BOSTON AT CHICAGO - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS BOSTON CHICAGO F Kevin Garnett F Luol Deng F Paul Pierce F Tyrus Thomas C Kendrick Perkins C Ben Wallace G Rajon Rondo G Kirk Hinrich G Ray Allen G Ben Gordon OFFICIALS: Tom Washington Jason Phillips Leroy Richardson</div>
NBA: BOSTON at CHICAGO <div class="pre">BOSTON VS CHICAGO - INACTIVES BOSTON CHICAGO PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON D NICHOLS COACH'S DECISION V KHRYAPA COACH'S DECISION J CURRY NBDL</div>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Hopefully we push the tempo of the game right away. Tire them out, and get the big three out of the game as long as you can. In addition, you will be taking them out of the halfcourt, where their defense might be able to shut us down.</p> I want to see Tyrus Thomas get some early minutes, and early touches, that allow him to attack Garnett, and try to draw some fouls on KG.</p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Even if Thomas doesn't play tonight, which is likely, he can tell his friends he got to be the guy that got to dance inside the hookah </p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Ray Allen is pushing Gordon a ton outside of the lower box. They need to call a foul on those.</p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) This game is already over. The lead is insurmountable.</p> That, and, Hinrich and Gordon are on early </p> </p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Gordon's got 9 points in Q1 already, and 2 assists. Allen has 3 points.</p> </p>
Re: NBA: BOSTON (16-2) at CHICAGO (6-11) Don't know what happened to Noah at the beginning of the year, when he couldn't catch, dribble, rebound, rotate on defense, but the last few games, he has been really nice to watch.</p> Ben Wallace cripples our offense so much. Wow, if I was 6'8" or above, I would be averaging 20 with all the looks this guy gets. He is just horrible. He can't make a simple layup or dunk, its downright pathetic.</p>
NBA: BOSTON at CHICAGO <div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL --- --- --- --- ----- BOSTON 21 21 CHICAGO 18 18 END 1ST QTR HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER BOS - RAJON RONDO 6, GLEN DAVIS 6, KEVIN GARNETT 4 CHI - BEN GORDON 11, KIRK HINRICH 5, LUOL DENG 2</div>
