<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">34-8</span> <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%">@</span> <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">9-33</span> Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 7:30 pm ET American Airlines Arena (Miami, FL) Game aired on NBA TV, CSN, & The Score</div> After a heart-breaking loss at Amway Arena to a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Hedo Turkoglu, the Celtics will attempt to bounce back tonight in Miami. Kevin Garnett sat out Sunday’s loss to Orlando due to an abdominal strain, and he Celtics struggled mightily in spurts on both ends of the floor. The ball movement was nowhere near at the level it should have been, the defense only came sporadically, and the intensity level was as low as it has been all year long. Garnett was not happy that Doc put his foot down the refused to let him play on Sunday, but the leading vote-getter for this year’s All-Star game is listed as a gametime decision tonight. Should he sit out another game, however, many have suggested that Leon Powe may get the nod as the starting power forward, as he matches up almost perfectly with bruiser Udonis Haslem of the Heat. The Heat have come as close as you can get to hitting rock bottom. The 9-33 club had gone nearly a full month without winning a game at one point (December 25-January 24), until finally breaking out of that devastating 15-game funk with a 98-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers this past Saturday. Ironically, Celtics fans laugh at a 15-game losing streak. Last season, C’s fans went 35 days without witnessing a Celtic win. Boy, it’s amazing how quickly times have changed. A turnaround is quite possible for the Miami Heat, as well. It is very unlikely and nearly impossible for that turnaround to take place this season, but Miami has a lot to look forward to this summer. In addition to the likely top five draft pick in this year’s extremely deep and top-heavy draft class, Miami has over $20 million in salary coming off the books this summer. While many young stars may be available for Miami to select in this June’s draft, the 2008 free agent class is stacked with quality basketball players, including some All-Star caliber assets such as Elton Brand (if he declines his player option), Ron Artest (if he declines his player option), Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas (if he declines his player option), and more. This basketball team may presently be brutal to watch for Heat fans, but with Dwyane Wade, this year’s lottery pick, upcoming cap room, and a great location for free agents, things are destined to take a turn for the better in no time. With that said, here in the Boston area, we don’t feel any sympathy. Garnett or not, let’s knock ‘em dead, green. Projected Starters C Kendrick Perkins / Mark Blount PF Leon Powe / Udonis Haslem SF Paul Pierce / Dorell Wright SG Ray Allen / Dwyane Wade PG Rajon Rondo / Jason Williams Key Matchup: Kendrick Perkins vs. Mark Blount The head-to-head matchup of Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen may be a bit more intriguing to the average fan, but for Celtics fans, there aren’t too many things more tasteful than getting a chance to beat up on Mark Blount. If you walk up to any Celtics fan and mutter the name “Mark Blount,” you will never receive a smile or positive reaction in return. Kendrick Perkins wouldn’t shell out many kind remarks about the former bubble-gum popping disaster, either. It was well known that Perkins wasn’t too fond of Blount back when the two were teammates – let’s hope the big fella can show skipper who’s boss tonight. Celtics X-Factor: Forwards Although Garnett may give it a go tonight, as long as he is out of the lineup, every fill-in forward on this team needs to make sure they all step up and bring something to the table. Scalabrine needs to make sure he brings the hustle plays and stretches the defense. Posey needs to play hard-nosed defense, keep the defense honest with his outside shot, and help out on the boards. Leon Powe needs to muscle around with Haslem and continue to grab rebounds at a high level. Glen Davis needs to get position and give the team a little offensive lift off the bench. Everybody has an increased role, as long as KG is on the pine. The C’s can’t afford for these guys to break rotations or make multiple mistakes. Doc doesn’t have the luxury of pulling them and replacing them with an 11-time All-Star anymore. It’s time for the role players to step up. Injury Report BOS – Kevin Garnett (strained abdominal muscle – gametime decision) BOS – Scot Pollard (sore ankle) MIA – Shaquille O’Neal (left hip, quadriceps inflammation) MIA – Alonzo Mourning (torn tendon in right knee) MIA – Joel Anthony (strained right quad) Celtics Keys to the Game • Play Tough Inside • Own the Boards • Ball Movement (don’t force things) • Perimeter Defense • Play 48 Minutes
Injury Updates from Steve Bulpett: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>MIAMI — Kevin Garnett will not play tonight against the Heat, and Ray Allen will be a gametime decision. While Garnett will miss his second game with an abdominal strain, Allen’s status is in question because he’s been suffering with a flu bug and missed the Celtics’ morning shootaround. It is hoped that, with the extra rest, he’ll be able to play tonight, but the team couldn’t say for certain. Garnett, meanwhile, went to shootaround and did some conditioning away from the court. According to Doc Rivers, he is improving but is still not nearly a sure bet to return by Thursday’s home game against Dallas.</div>
Celtics will win this game easy Pierce will carry them here no problem it could be decently close if Rondo has a bad game and wade goes OFF, really really OFF, even then Celts win by double digits
I can't believe we won by 30 points, with KG and Ray Allen out, and Pierce pretty much being a non-factor (from how he usually is.) Miami is just, bad.
i just looked at the stat line and Powe had 25 and 11, thats amazing by him, did he dominate the game like the stats say?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BasX @ Jan 29 2008, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>i just looked at the stat line and Powe had 25 and 11, thats amazing by him, did he dominate the game like the stats say?</div> Well seeing how the entire second half was basically considered garbage time, I guess the numbers are a little inflated. I didn't get to see the first half (coaching my 7th/8th grade team), but when I got home Leon had like 14 and 6... so I guess he did well throughout the entire game.
Leon did dominate from the time he stepped on the court. The numbers are a bit inflated because of garbage time but he still had a stellar game regardless.
