<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> January 22, 2007 - 7:30 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#000000">San Antonio Spurs</span> <span style="color:#999999">(29-13)</span> <span style="color:#999999">PG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Tony Parker</span> <span style="color:#999999">SG</span> <span style="color:#000000">Manu Ginobili</span> <span style="color:#999999">SF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Bruce Bowen</span> <span style="color:#999999">PF</span> <span style="color:#000000">Tim Duncan</span> <span style="color:#999999">C</span> <span style="color:#000000">Fabricio Oberto</span> <span style="color:#999999">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Robert Horry, Michael Finley, Brent Barry, Beno Udrih, Francisco Elson</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(12-27)</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, Allan Ray</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#999999">SA:</span> <span style="color:#000000">Matt Bonner will not play (torn MCL)</span> <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 is questionable (knees and ankles)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Brian Scalabrine is questionable (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> Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#000000">Tim Duncan</span> <span style="color:#999999">Season Stats: 19.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">Tony Parker</span> <span style="color:#999999">Season Stats: 19.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.6 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">Manu Ginobili</span> <span style="color:#999999">Season Stats: 16.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.8 spg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 13.8 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: 8.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.8 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 15.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 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">4.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.1 spg</span> <span style="color:#000000">Last 5 Games:</span> <span style="color:#009900">10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.8 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">3.3 ppg, 3.0 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">5.5 ppg, 0.8 rpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">Last 5 Games:</span> <span style="color:#009900">11.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">San Antonio's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#000000">Experience</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gerald Green</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 8.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.8 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 15.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 spg</span> <span style="color:#009900">In the past 2 games, Gerald really hasn't played well. The other night in Washington, Doc even sat Gerald most of the second half due to his sloppy play. Gerald needs to step up and have himself a good game tonight, something that will NOT come easy with guys like Manu and Bowen defending him.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#000000">Tim Duncan</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">I think it will be very interesting to see how Big Al plays Duncan, on both ends. Duncan obviously is one of the best players in the league, but I can't wait to see how Al handles him.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes The Celtics have not beaten the Spurs since Tim Duncan was drafted in 1997. CelticBalla's Prediction
hahah....Big Al is playing really good, but they just cant keep up with the Spurs when they are on defense. Nobody else is really stepping up besides Jefferson. Tim is basically doing what he wants on the offensive end. Gerald, Ryan, or Delonte have to step up big in the second half if they even want a chance at this game.
Wow, Boston made a great comeback, but I think they just made a couple big mistakes late on in the game. The game is pretty much over at this point...But, I would like to point out that Al Jefferson and Delonte West both played great games. Al especially. He played great defense on Duncan in the 4th quarter, and Delonte was scoring amazingly in the second half. If Allen Ray could have just gotten a couple of those shots to fall (the ones with unlucky bounces), this would have been a real game. Good comeback by the C's, but it was just too late.
Jesus, as soon as I post that, the Celtics go on a 5-0 run. I have noticed in a few games this season that the Celtics come back late and play really great late in the 4th. I think one was agaisnt the grizzlies earlier this year (I think they lost), and now against a very good and experienced Spurs team. You have to give credit to the celtics for coming back.
we've comeback in the past couple games ballermanour young guys love to fight....but I mean...even though we lost...we had a handful of players who played absolutely amazingAl Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Ryan Gomes and Delonte West inparticularI knew we would lose but I mean we never gave up...even down by like 20 we still fought hard..great game overall...I mean it was against the Spurs...
Rondo played pretty good tonight on the defensive end, but he is not a good scorer what so ever. He made some decent passes, and didnt turn the ball over a whole lot from what it looked like, but he really has to learn to finish around the basket. Like Sean Elliot was saying, he has got to get an in between game if he is going to be an offensive threat. He isn't a good outside shooter, and he is inconsistent finsishing around the basket as well. Having a decent mid range game would be a VERY good thing for him to learn.
Seems I'm saying this in every game thread now, but jesus I love this teams fight. Every single person is playing to win and with heart out there. Loved seeing Al and Delonte step up and shoulder the load in this game.
What a game!!! I know we lost, but that comeback was incredible! These kids NEVER give up, they are always fighting to the finish and giving 100%. That is why I think we'll be a good team when these guys find themselves. Most of our players are just trying to play and get what they can. Once this group develops a little more and gets experience, we are going to be a good team. Al Jefferson <u>26 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks on 11-20 shooting</u> Big Al was sensational tonight. He went right at Duncan offensively right out of the gate. Like, he REALLY put some outstanding moves on Duncan and scored on him. He wasn't intimidated, in fact, I think the fact that he knew he was going against Duncan actually motivated him extra. In the fourth quarter, like ballerman said, Al played excellent defense on Duncan. WAY TO GO, AL!!! Al is going to be a hell of a player, and he has been fantastic this season. Absolutely fantastic. We are so lucky to have him. Delonte West <u>27 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block on 11-17 shooting</u> Delonte was outstanding tonight, especially in the 4th quarter. You look at his 11 shots made, probably 8 of them were jump shots. He was outstanding, and he went like 5-6 or 6-7 in the 4th. He brought a ton of energy, made some excellent hustle plays, and played solid defense. Delonte was awesome tonight. Rajon Rondo <u>4 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals on 1-8 shooting, 2-2 FT in 32 mins</u> RONDO!!! I LOVE RONDO!!! He was outfriggenstanding defensively. He was the energizer that started that giant run. He hit the open shooters at the perfect time, made some nice skip passes, and was aggressive taking it to the basket. Nothing fell for him tonight, but I don't care. Scoring isn't his job. Everything he does night in and night out is his job: play defense, bring a lot of energy, push the ball, be aggressive. Rajon Rondo is one hell of a basketball player! Ryan Gomes <u>20 points, 7 rebounds on 8-20 shooting, 4-4 FT</u> Goooomes! Again! Gomes has been awesome lately. He brought the hustle, the grit, the smart play... but he also knocked down that mid-range shot beautifully. In the past 5-7 games, Gomes has been awesome! Kendrick Perkins <u>4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal on 2-3 shooting</u> Perk did a decent job tonight. Not great, but he hustled a ton. He made some terrific passes, as usual, and he made a few good defensive plays around the basket. I just hope Perk gets healthy ASAP, we need the old Perk back. Allan Ray <u>6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists on 2-7 shooting, 2-2 3FG in 22 mins</u> He missed most of his shots at first, but the two 3's he nailed were big ones in that run we made. I'm happy for A-Ray, he's really playing with a ton of confidence out there and he has EARNED these minutes. Gerald Green <u>2 points on 1-7 shooting, 0-1 3FG in 21 mins</u> There is a reason A-Ray is playing more than him lately. Gerald has been struggling big time with his shot over the past 3 games, and that NEEDS to change. He's in a scoring slump. I hope Gerald comes out of that slump real soon, because we need his offense and shooting. He got good looks for the most part, they just weren't falling tonight. He'll be alright though, he has improved a lot. He's just in a slump. Sebastian Telfair <u>1 rebound, 1 assist in 4 mins</u> I'm pissed at you too. Leon Powe <u>3 minutes</u> Powe would have played a little bit more on the average night, but Big Al and Gomes were just playing so well. <div align="center">Player of the Game: Al Jefferson 26 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks</div> Next Game: Wednesday (1/24/07) at home vs. Atlanta at 7:30 pm ET. Scal and/or Wally could be back for this one. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Jan 22 2007, 10:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Rondo played pretty good tonight on the defensive end, but he is not a good scorer what so ever. He made some decent passes, and didnt turn the ball over a whole lot from what it looked like, but he really has to learn to finish around the basket. Like Sean Elliot was saying, he has got to get an in between game if he is going to be an offensive threat. He isn't a good outside shooter, and he is inconsistent finsishing around the basket as well. Having a decent mid range game would be a VERY good thing for him to learn.</div> Well, Rondo had a bad offensive night. He missed 3 or 4 layups, that's not normal. And he did turn the ball over 3 times tonight, but he's not turnover prone. He's a VERY smart player. Defensively, he's just what we need. He's a defensive assassin, one of the best rebounding point guards I've seen in a LONG time, and he's a real playmaker. He makes things happen.
Yeah, Rondo is a very good definsive player. I have always known that since I saw him play in college. But his offensive game was off to night is all that I was stating. His steal from Duncan late in the 4th was huge. It got their lead down to 3 I believe.Also, I agree with you CB32, Big Al dominated Duncan tonight on the offensive end. It seemed that every post move he made, he scored on. Whoever guarded him....My favorite was his shot fake, and drive to the left for the dunk. That got me out of my seat..He had a very nice game along with Delone who was ON FIRE!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Jan 22 2007, 11:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>His steal from Duncan late in the 4th was huge. It got their lead down to 3 I believe.</div> And if you saw the replay, if they showed it in Texas, that steal was literally 2-3 seconds after he picked up his shoe and put it back on haha. He lost his shoe, he picked it up, put it on, and 2-3 second later he came from behind Duncan to steal that ball. I love this kid.
Unfortunatley I didnt see that part, but im not surprised. Those are the kinds of things that he does. He is a hustle player. He is incredibly scrappy. You have to love a player like that.
Great game by the Celtics last night. We were soo close to actually winning the game. Just lost by three points. I loved it when Rondo lost his shoe, stayed up court and came out of nowhere and stole the ball from Duncan.
