<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> February 11, 2007 - 6:00 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(12-37)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Brian Scalabrine</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Rajon Rondo, Gerald Green, Kendrick Perkins, Sebastian Telfair</span> <span style="color:#000080">Minnesota Timberwolves</span> <span style="color:#000000">(23-27)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#000080">Mike James</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#000080">Ricky Davis</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#000080">Trenton Hassell</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#000080">Kevin Garnett</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#000080">Mark Blount</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000080">Randy Foye, Marko Jaric, Craig Smith, Mark Madsen, Rashad McCants</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak will not play (sprained left ankle)</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:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 25.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.2 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 14.0 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 15.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000080">Kevin Garnett</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 22.4 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.8 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000080">Ricky Davis</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 16.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg</span> <span style="color:#000080">Mark Blount</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 13.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg</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">5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.4 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">2.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.5 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">4.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">MIN:</span> <span style="color:#000080">Randy Foye</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 7</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000080">9.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.3 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">MIN:</span> <span style="color:#000080">Craig Smith</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 36</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000080">6.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Brian Scalabrine</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.0 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Scal is a very solid defender. If you all remember, he did an excellent job covering KG last year when we played in Boston, Scal has had some solid moments on Bosh this year, etc. Scal is going to guard KG tonight for extended minutes, I would assume. Let's go, Scal! D up! P.S. - Scal's NBA.com picture is pure gold. It actually makes him look fatter than he actually is. </span> <span style="color:#000080">Minnesota's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#000080">Mark Blount</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 13.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg</span> <span style="color:#000080">Which Mark will we see tonight? The one that is motivated and can come away with a double-double? Or the lazy one who will shoot 15 footers only and grab 4 rebounds? HOWEVER, I give him credit this year. Every time I have watched the Wolves, Mark actually HAS hustled. He has had a good season, maybe he just didn't like our management/coaching staff. Who knows? But I'm guessing Blount has a nice offensive night against us.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#000080">Kevin Garnett</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">Big Al handled Tim Duncan actually very well. KG is a different type of player, however. He's more athletic, he's quicker, and he handles the ball more. It will be VERY interesting to see how Big Al handles The Big Ticket.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes - 17 and counting... - Ricky D! Ricky D! CelticBalla's Prediction We lose. KG is KG, Ricky and Blount both want to have good nights against us, they have some energy off the bench, and Mike James always torches us.
I don't see how pierce isn't the x factor in this one. he's in his second game back, probably just now getting back into game shape, I think he'll come up huge.anyways, I think boston can actually take this one. fingers crossed..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Feb 11 2007, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't see how pierce isn't the x factor in this one. he's in his second game back, probably just now getting back into game shape, I think he'll come up huge. anyways, I think boston can actually take this one. fingers crossed..</div> I didn't put Pierce as the X-Factor because we are playing a team with Kevin Garnett on it. We are a poor defensive team. Scal is a solid defensive player and he has slowed Garnett down in the past. We need that defense from him. Pierce isn't the X-Factor, IMO, because you EXPECT him to play better every game for the next couple weeks while he gets back into shape. EDIT: By the way, dogma, it's nice to see you post here again. :happy0144:
Well, Paul is back and unlike last game, he will be starting. Hopefully he can come back and play a big game because he didnt play to well last game. Scabs is going to have to do as good as a job on KG as he can. I dont know how good that will be, but who cares. I doubt the C's are going to win this game, but I am for sure as hell hoping that they do.
Really good first half for the Celtics. Everybody that has been in the game has played pretty well IMO.Paul has been playing pretty well on the offensive end. He is making alot of tough shots.Ryan has been incredible from the mid range, and he is also making alot of hustle playsBig Al is doing pretty good around the rim and fighting for reboundsDelonte is shooting pretty well and passing the ball greatScabs is putting in alot of effort, doing pretty decent on KG, and made a great pass to AlTelfair got in the game, put in effort, and had a nice drive to the basket. He is also putting in alot of effort on the defensive end which I like to see.[Rondo is being Rondo. Getting to the rim, playing great defense, husteling all over the placePerk is playing good d, he has had a nice move or two around the basketIt was really unlucky that they gave up a 3 at the end, but it was a solid first half, and they are putting themselves in good position so far to win the game. GO CELTICS!EDIT: I forgot about Gerald! He has been playing pretty well IMO. He isnt forcing shots, he is attacking the rim, he made a nice three, and he is being very unselfish. He could have taken up a dunk attempt agaisnt KG, but instead he made a nice pass for a layup. He is really maturing.
Seems like everyone played decently well in the first half. Pierce is knocking down his shots, which is absolutely amazing to see. Gomes has been absolutely wet with his mid-range jumper the last few weeks and tonight is no exception. Delonte played very well in the first half as well. Al was in foul trouble on a phantom third foul call but he's working hard and playing well for the time he was in there. I'm feeling good after that half, but you never know with this team. We got Pierce back in there, so hopefully he can pull his magic and will us to a win down the stretch. For the Wolves, McCants has REALLY impressed me so far on the offensive end. His defense has been a little suspect, but I think it's just because he's giving Pierce a lot of respect for his driving abilities and backing off. He's playing very well though.SAME WITH MY BOY CRAIG SMITH. He was a beast on the boards, reminds me a lot of Gomes minus the mid-range and with a better post game. I love Craig.
Wow. Ricky Davis getting the last shot on us. I knew Mike James would get the ball. We were soo close. Another close game but couldn't come up with the win. Paul Pierce had a great game though. 29 points.
This one will hurt the most if yall dont pull it out..let's go :dribble:Well nevermind..ah..this one sucks..18 in a row
Ricky Davis wins it, wow, old teammate from Boston sticks it in Boston's heart with the game winner. Ouch.18 in a row, but they will beat the Bucks.
Fire Doc...Fire Danny..Grow some f*cking balls Wycthis is terrible and Doc Rivers single handedly ruined the game for ushe left Rondo on the bench for the last 8 minutes and in that time we managed to blow a 10 point lead and the gameDelonte at the point is suiciide as we saw on that last possession before the game winnerDelonte fu*kin sucks at point guard...you fu*kin play our best defense PG and the one who gives the team energy..not the one who commits turnovers, tries to force passes and force shots and dribble out the clock and with the game on the line dribble out into a 24-second shot clock violation
Wow, f*cking kill me. I called that ending. YanksHater213(8:32:33 PM): watch davis nail a shot at the buzzer making the celtics regret trading himThis team deserved better than that. Paul fought his ass off playing not even at 100% all night and had a great game. Scal had an amazing hustle play to save a huge posession that led to a huge three by Pierce. The entire team played very very well tonight, and its a damn shame that they had to lose that way. Like I said, they deserved better than that, what a crushing way to lose. I really feel for these guys, they needed something huge, and looked like they could have had it and lost. This is really pissing me off, we need a win, now. Everyone played their 100% hardest and thats probably why this loss hurts the most. That one hustle play by Scal and Delonte was going to be a turning point, but this one was just a killer. I feel like sh*t right now. Inexperience bit us again. They doubled Pierce like they should have, Pierce found Delonte open, passed up an open jumper to drive, found Scal wide open but KG deflected the pass. Could have had a better last posession, but you can't ask much more of this team. With their star player not even 100%, dropping 29. I love this team so much, and its absolutely killing me watching them lose like they have been, this was the last kind of loss they need. Everyone was great, carry this play over and we can beat the Bucks.
Inexperience was a factor throughout the entire game. Games arent won and lost on one posession. The refs were atrocious all around, just a very crushing way for this team to lose. They gotta come out with fire against Milwaukee. They need that game.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Feb 11 2007, 08:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Fire Doc...Fire Danny..Grow some f*cking balls Wycthis is terrible and Doc Rivers single handedly ruined the game for ushe left Rondo on the bench for the last 8 minutes and in that time we managed to blow a 10 point lead and the gameDelonte at the point is suiciide as we saw on that last possession before the game winnerDelonte fu*kin sucks at point guard...you fu*kin play our best defense PG and the one who gives the team energy..not the one who commits turnovers, tries to force passes and force shots and dribble out the clock and with the game on the line dribble out into a 24-second shot clock violation</div>And the funny thing was that he tried to pass it too Scal. He wouldn't have made the shot under all that pressure. They should of ran the clock out a lot more and give it up to Pierce.
