<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> January 20, 2007 - 8:00 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(12-26)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gerald Green</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#009900">Kendrick Perkins</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Sebastian Telfair, Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Michael Olowokandi</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Washington Wizards</span> <span style="color:#996633">(23-16)</span> <span style="color:#996633">PG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas</span> <span style="color:#996633">SG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">DeShawn Stevenson</span> <span style="color:#996633">SF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Caron Butler</span> <span style="color:#996633">PF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span> <span style="color:#996633">C</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Brendan Haywood</span> <span style="color:#996633">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Etan Thomas, Antonio Daniels, Jarvis Hayes, Donnell Taylor, Andray Blatche</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce will not play (stress reaction in left foot)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak will not play (knees and ankles)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Brian Scalabrine will not play (sprained MCL)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Tony Allen is out for season (torn ACL/MCL)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Theo Ratliff is out for season (back surgery).</span> <span style="color:#996633">WAS:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Darius Songala will not play (recovering from back surgery)</span> <span style="color:#996633">WAS:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Michael Ruffin will not play (sprained right foot)</span> Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 13.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 15.2 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gerald Green</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 8.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.8 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 15.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 spg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas</span> <span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 29.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.0 spg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span> <span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 19.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.8 apg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Caron Butler</span> <span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 20.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.0 spg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Rajon Rondo</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 21</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">4.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Leon Powe</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 49</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">3.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.6 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Allan Ray</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: Undrafted</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">4.4 ppg, 0.8 rpg</span> <span style="color:#996633">WAS:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">James Lang</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 48 (2003)</span> <span style="color:#996633">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 9.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.5 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 10.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.5 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte just had his best game of the season last night offensively, without question. Tonight, we don't necessarily need him to score 25 points like last night (although, if he's on again, do it again lol), but out of all our guards, he has the best chance at defending Arenas the best. Why? Because of his size. Rondo is the better defensive player than Delonte, but Arenas is a lot bigger and stronger than Rondo. Delonte at least matches up better size-wise. Is Delonte going to "stop" Arenas? HELLLLLLLL no. But I hope he at least gives a good effort.</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Washington's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Brendan Haywood</span> <span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 6.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.3 bpg</span> <span style="color:#996633">As A Starter: 7.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Big Al has had some trouble with Haywood in the past, due to his size and strength. Although Al hasn't played Haywood this year yet, and Al certainly has improved a great deal since the last time he matched up with Haywood, but we'll see how well Haywood can try and contain Al, when he is matched up with him.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">Arenas is one of the top players in the league, we all know that. He's going to get his. I'm interested, however, to see if Delonte can have another good game on this back-to-back, and I'm interested in seeing how well he plays Arenas.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes - The C's are on a 6 game losing streak and we have the 3rd worst record in the entire NBA. - Washington is on a 3 game winning streak and are tied with Cleveland for the 1st seed in the Eastern Conference. CelticBalla's Prediction I don't see how we can win this game. Washington definitely has the star power with their Big 3 (Arenas, Jamison, Butler), they have a defensive stopper in Stevenson, two very solid NBA centers in Haywood/Thomas, an energizer off the bench in Daniels, and a scorer off the bench in Hayes. We have youth and inconsistency. Not to mention, this game is on the road. Whenever you are on the road against Gilbert Arenas, you better watch out, especially when you have a guy like Paul Pierce missing from your lineup.
I read in the Globe today that Wally should be out another weekish. Regardless, I liked the fight I saw last night in the 4th quarter. All I ask for is that Doc plays the kids, and everyone plays hard.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yankshater213 @ Jan 20 2007, 10:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I read in the Globe today that Wally should be out another weekish. Regardless, I liked the fight I saw last night in the 4th quarter. All I ask for is that Doc plays the kids, and everyone plays hard.</div> Oh, really? Would you mind posting the link for me (about Wally)? I mean, I believe you lol, but I just want to make sure because I heard from Doc about 2 days ago that Wally could play "this weekend." I hope Wally sits out longer, though. Not because I hate the guy, I don't, but because we shouldn't rush anybody back at all. I know Delonte had his best game of the year last night as well, and of course Delonte is my boy, but I don't think bringing him back already was smart. But hey, how would I know how Delonte's back feels? But I still think we should have rested it a couple more days.
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/ce...ng_achievement/Wally's stuff, and some Scal news.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Szczerbiak (sprained ankles, sore left knee) will not return to action until next week. As with Pierce, the Celtics want to wait until Szczerbiak feels 100 percent, not wanting to risk further injury. "It didn't feel right when he got in today, so we decided to wait until Monday or Wednesday," said Rivers. "If he [couldn't] play [last night], he can't play this weekend obviously." . . . It sounds as if Szczerbiak will return at the same time as Brian Scalabrine, who suffered a sprained right medial collateral ligament and bruised right meniscus against the Indiana Pacers Jan. 10. Scalabrine plans to test his knee tomorrow. If there is no swelling, Scalabrine could be back for Monday night's home game against the San Antonio Spurs. Otherwise, look for him Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks</div>
Thanks a lot, yanks. I think that is very smart too, no need to rush anyone back, especially our top players. It's not like if they come back we will start winning games and make a big playoff push. We have the 3rd worst record in the league, and we aren't even that far behind Memphis (10-30, worst record).
It's always fun to watch the Celtics, but I seriousely doubt that we will lose this game. Celtics are Extreemly short handed however their depth makes them not have way too much trouble. Meanwhile the Wizards just came off a great win against division rivals the Magic and are now LEADING THE EASTERN CONFERENCE. They want to keep this lead I know they do and I'm excited to see waht kind of basketball we'll play in this game.
I agree with GArenas. The Celtics are a team that I really admire, and they were my favorite team before I got obsessed with the Wizards. I love Paul Pierce, and all the young guys Boston has now.I'm glad Wally is out, dude always kills us. West is another guy that seems to have good games against us, but I hope Gil can keep him under control. I am also excited to see Green and Jefferson play. Obviously, Green has improved a ton since Washington's home opener against Boston back in November. I haven't seen him play really, and Jefferson is another guy who I'm looking out for this game. Hopefully, Washington can take care of this team at home, but still they should NEVER underestimate a young, scrappy, team like the Celtics. No lead is safe against teams like this (Hornets, Celtics, etc.).
Wally won't be killing anybody anytime soonand ZardsI think you're giving us a little more credit than we deservewe have some good pieces but if you have a decent lead..you're pretty safewe're the kind of team that should worry about our leadswe've blown 20+ point leads beforeI hope we win..I'd love a won against one ofthe best team's in the eastI think shutting down Arenas is the key
True, playa, we blow most of our double digit leads. We just can't close out games. That is why I absolutely LOVED having Gary Payton in 04-05. I mean, not only is he my favorite PG of all time, but he knew how to keep this team poised and under control in the end of the game. We could close games out then. Now, we have too many young guys. It's great that they all have potential and it's great that they all bring a lot of energy, but sometimes they let the energy level take over their control level, and that kills us.
I don't see us really winning. Wouldn't be surprised to to see Gilbert scoring 40+ on us. If we contain Gil, Butler and Jamison are probably gonna piss on us.
Yeah I agree, Gilbert has his little personal vendetta against us to begin with, and without Tony Allen or another good defender to contain him, it's gonna be tough.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Jan 20 2007, 05:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wally won't be killing anybody anytime soonand ZardsI think you're giving us a little more credit than we deservewe have some good pieces but if you have a decent lead..you're pretty safewe're the kind of team that should worry about our leadswe've blown 20+ point leads beforeI hope we win..I'd love a won against one ofthe best team's in the eastI think shutting down Arenas is the key</div>Eh, I remember last year and our one game against you this year so far that the Celtics always try to fight back in the final minutes. Paul Pierce and Delonte West always gave us fits on the offensive end. Even guys like Scalabrine hit a big shot at the end of one of the games last year. Maybe West puts on a good show at DC because it is his hometown (someone correct me if I'm wrong)..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ Jan 20 2007, 07:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Maybe West puts on a good show at DC because it is his hometown (someone correct me if I'm wrong)..</div> Yeah, Delonte is from Maryland. Also guys, sorry I put 7:30 as the game time. It's 8:00. The schedule printout from Celtics.com was wrong and it said 7:30. F WORD!!!
I knew this game was going to go like this. As I said on the first page, the Celtics are a young and scrappy team (especially against the Wizards). I knew from the beginning that the Wizards were not going to keep that lead for the whole game. But wow, Boston you have a great future ahead of you. Check these statlines: D. West: 13 pts, 11 asts, 3 stlsA. Jefferson: 23 pts, 10 rebs, 2 blksR. Gomes: 31 pts, 9 rebsR. Rando: 10 pts, 10 rebs, 7 astsA. Ray: 20 ptsI totally respect Boston a lot more after this win, even though I already knew they could pull off impressive feats like this.
31 points, 8 rebounds for Gomes. 23 points, 10 rebounds for Jefferson. 13 points, 11 assists for Delonte. 20 points for Ray10 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists for Rondo. Nice.Too bad GG didn't play well for the most part and didn't really play much at all because of his suckiness
Damnit, I didnt get to watch this game. I was at my dads and he doesn't have league pass. Sick game by Rondo. He is such a good rebounder for a guard that its ridiculous. Gomes, Big Al, and Delonte all played good as well. I think that if these guys could get this many minutes for the rest of the season, they would start winning alot more ball games. Its just so hard to be put in to these kinds of circumstances and expect to win games...
