<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> March 28, 2007 - 7:30 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#3333FF">Orlando Magic</span> <span style="color:#000000">(33-38)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Jameer Nelson</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Grant Hill</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Hedo Turkoglu</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Tony Battie</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Dwight Howard</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Trevor Ariza, Darko Milicic, J.J. Redick, Keyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(21-49)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Rajon Rondo</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</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">Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Leon Powe, Allan Ray</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak is out for season (ankle surgery)</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">Brian Scalabrine is out for season (strained left hamstring)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Michael Olowokandi is out for season (fractured bone in left foot)</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:#3333FF">Dwight Howard</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 17.8 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 1.9 bpg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Grant Hill</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 13.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.2 apg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Jameer Nelson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 13.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.1 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 24.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.1 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 15.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 16.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 1.6 bpg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 11.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.5 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 13.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.2 apg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#000000">ORL:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">J.J. Redick</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 11</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">6.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg</span> <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">5.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.5 spg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter:</span> <span style="color:#009900">9.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.4 apg, 2.3 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</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">5.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Orlando's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Darko Milicic</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 8.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 bpg</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">The Celtics simply don't have the size off the bench to match up with Darko, so he should take advantage of that. Also, Darko has lost his starting job recently. He has to work hard and prove that he's really worth that max contract that he wants (my opinion, no way in hell should be get one).</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Kendrick Perkins</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 4.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.3 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000000">As A Starter: 4.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Perk has definitely been doing his job recently, and he's really moving a lot better. It seems as though that plantar fasciitis is healing a bit. But tonight, Perk really has to be a presence down low. Dwight Howard, Darko Milicic, and Tony Battie are all big, athletic, and very active. We'll have a tough time with their bigs tonight, but hopefully Perk can help out down there.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#3333FF">Dwight Howard</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson</span></div> <span style="color:#000000">No explanation really needed. Both of these guys are among some of the best young big men in the league. Both do some different things (Howard is more defensive oriented while Big Al thrives on the offensive end). This should be a great matchup.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes - I will be at the game. - Play Bassy. CelticBalla's Prediction It is winnable, but I don't think we'll win this. Orlando is fighting for their lives to make the playoffs, we are just playing for player development and evaluation. We will play hard, as always, but I think Orlando will win because they actually NEED this win.
Should be the Magic's to win, though the Celtics can suprise you. I think il watch this game because wan't to see if the magic are actually any good because from watching them latley they seem to be playing below average basketball, so by watching this I think il get more of a idea of where there at now.
definitely a winnable game.I'm more interested to see if they'll try and match up Howard and Jefferson.Probably not, but it'd be interesting to see IMO.Paul should have a field day vs the Magic SF's.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Mar 28 2007, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Paul should have a field day vs the Magic SF's.</div> Not necessarily, Grant Hill is still a VERY solid defensive player. He may be getting old, he may always be hurt, but he can still play.
I just noticed in the line up you had Grant at SG.they could slide him over and have Hedo take on Delonte, but that would be a huge speed mis-match IMO.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Mar 28 2007, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I just noticed in the line up you had Grant at SG. they could slide him over and have Hedo take on Delonte, but that would be a huge speed mis-match IMO.</div> I put the lineup that way because that's what they do (and they should). But about Delonte/Hedo, that will be horrible. Sure, Delonte will have a small speed advantage, but Hedo would kill him on the other end. 6'10'' vs. 6'3'' on a good day. I wouldn't mind if Gerald or Gomes started tonight, it would work out better, as far as matchups go.
Yow, I always thought Hedo was like 6'7" not that tall.the celts would have to switch off on the defensive end for sure.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Mar 28 2007, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yow, I always thought Hedo was like 6'7" not that tall. the celts would have to switch off on the defensive end for sure.</div> Yeah, it's still a problem though. Grant Hill is about 6'7'' or so, and he's fairly strong. He's also smart enough to post up Delonte every chance he gets, and abuse him. I am definitely worried about our wing matchups tonight. Don't be surprised if Doc starts Delonte at the point and starts either Gerald or Gomes alongside Pierce on the wing.
INSANE GAME!Big Al Jefferson is here to stay...The Truth being The TruthPerk with a huge gamewords can't even express how great I feel about this win
Man, I only saw the first and second overtime, but I could tell that the Celtics just wanted this more than the Orlando Magic. Their young guys got out there, hustled, and made great plays down the stretch. Paul Pierce was terrific, his shot was off a bit, but once again - he made the big shots. Jefferson, Rondo, West, and Perkins. Those guys were great. Jefferson really should be considered an All-Star next year, and even Tommy Heinsohn said that he'd pick him over Howard. Maybe it's homerism, but it's a very close comparison, as well. Rondo filled up the stat sheet, once again, doing it all, not just scoring. West providing some additional scoring after Pierce and Jefferson was great, and Kendrick Perkins had one of his best games this year.Celtics deserve a lot of credit for this win, and it's good they got it for their coach, who previously coached at Orlando. BTW: Whoever said that Al Jefferson does NOT have a back-to-the-basket game, they're dead wrong. Whenever the C's fed the big guy down low, Big Al kept backing down into his man, and either finished with a nice little hook or an easy lay-in.
Yes Tommy is a homer I think Al Jefferson is way more developed offensively than Howard though..Howard is terrible at the line..maybe I'm just judging off a bad performance but I think he's like a 60% shooter at the line anyway..but on the other hand Howard has way better defensive presence than Jefferson doesJefferson gets quite a few blocks a game but thats because players think they can test him and try to so he gets more oppurtunities at blocks..whereas Howard intimidates people..so they don't drive at him as much..stats dont tell the whole story about a players defenseAl is really improving defensively though..and Howard is improving offensivelyHoward and Jefferson are two of the future star big men of the league though...I love both of their games
What a game! I was there, and before this one, I've never been to an overtime game. Well, I got 2OT tonight, so I'm very happy. Our bigs came up big (no pun intended) and Paul Pierce was just dynamite in the clutch. I love Paul, he's unbelievable when the game is on the line. That step back was going for him all night, but I can't believe he hit that torpedo-esque 3. Unbelievable. He is The Truth. One minor complaint: Doc barely used the bench tonight. Player-by-Player Analysis Paul Pierce, as said above, was absolutely incredible in the clutch. He forced OT with that step-back jumper from the right elbow, then he nailed that 3 to carry us to 2OT. He's unbelievable. Big Al had a rough first half, due to foul trouble, but he really turned it on and came up big in the second half. He made some mistakes and passed up some shots he definitely should have taken, but he got us some huge buckets in the 4th quarter and in the overtime periods. This guy is one hell of a talent, I'm so grateful to have a true young star... and a big man. Perk is a beast! He was an animal all night long. He had some huge blocks, he was scrapping in there for boards, he got some clean up buckets, he made some beautiful passes, and he was a true defensive force down low. A healthy Perk = happy Celtic fans. Delonte was feeling it in the first half, he was just stroking it. In the second half, ehh.. not so much. He missed quite a few consecutive jumpers in the second half and he really was making some questionable decisions off penetration. I love Rondo. He shot the ball horribly tonight and he blew a couple easy buckets in the lane, but the intangibles he brings/brought were great. He played some very solid defense out there tonight, and he really disrupted the hell out of Nelson all night long. Gomes did a solid job off the bench, he seems to be moving a bit better than he has the past couple games. He'll be alright, he's looking better every game (since the injury). I don't know if he'll be able to get that 18 footer back to the consistency it has been all year long, we only have 11 games left, but he'll be fine. Of all the Celtics young players, I worry about Gomes the least. Bassy was up and down. He made a couple solid plays, but he also made some bad ones. That turnover at half court, where he stopped his dribble and softly passed it to Pierce (only to get it intercepted) was horrible. He was also trying to cut in FRONT of screens... that's a big no-no. But he had a great crossover and had a couple nice set-ups (especially the one to Gerald). Gerald didn't have a great night. He didn't play all that much due to foul trouble, so you could say "it's hard to get into a rhythm in 9 minutes total," but he just wasn't aggressive with his offense tonight. That dunk, though, was great. Woooo that had some power behind it. 3 of Powe's 6 fouls were completely ridiculous calls. Player Stat Lines <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce: 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists on 11-26 FG, 1-7 3FG, 9-11 FT Al Jefferson: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 1 block on 9-17 FG, 5-7 FT Kendrick Perkins: 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks on 5-9 FG Delonte West: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block on 6-13 FG, 1-3 3FG, 4-4 FT Rajon Rondo: 6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals on 3-12 FG Ryan Gomes: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals on 3-8 FG Sebastian Telfair: 4 points, 2 assists on 1-4 FG, 0-2 3FG, 2-2 FT Gerald Green: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 block on 1-2 FG Leon Powe: 1 rebound, 6 fouls in 7 minutes Allan Ray: 2 points, 1-1 FG</span> Next Game: Friday (3/30/07 - my birthday) @ Philadelphia at 7:00 pm ET.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Mar 28 2007, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yes Tommy is a homer I think Al Jefferson is way more developed offensively than Howard though..Howard is terrible at the line..maybe I'm just judging off a bad performance but I think he's like a 60% shooter at the line anyway..but on the other hand Howard has way better defensive presence than Jefferson doesJefferson gets quite a few blocks a game but thats because players think they can test him and try to so he gets more oppurtunities at blocks..whereas Howard intimidates people..so they don't drive at him as much..stats dont tell the whole story about a players defenseAl is really improving defensively though..and Howard is improving offensivelyHoward and Jefferson are two of the future star big men of the league though...I love both of their games</div>I've always felt that Howard is slightly overated.He's a good rebounder and shot blocker, but his offence is mainly dunks and put backs. So his looks impressive, but other players are more effective.Al's game around the basket is way more impressive. He's gonna get double teamed every game next year for sure. West, Allen and Rondo best be working on their 3 point shot next year, they're gonna get a chance to shoot a lot of them :happy0144: Howard's still a good player, but I'd rank him behind Bosh and Amare amongst the young PF's and Al is gaining on him big time.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticFan @ Mar 29 2007, 08:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I've always felt that Howard is slightly overated.He's a good rebounder and shot blocker, but his offence is mainly dunks and put backs. So his looks impressive, but other players are more effective.Al's game around the basket is way more impressive. He's gonna get double teamed every game next year for sure. West, Allen and Rondo best be working on their 3 point shot next year, they're gonna get a chance to shoot a lot of them :happy0144: Howard's still a good player, but I'd rank him behind Bosh and Amare amongst the young PF's and Al is gaining on him big time.</div>Isn't that what Centers are suppose to do? You usually don't see a center shooting mid range at all, just mainly dunking the ball and putbacks. If Celtics get Greg Oden, be sure to see that almost EVERY night.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AiRuPtHeRe? @ Mar 29 2007, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Isn't that what Centers are suppose to do? You usually don't see a center shooting mid range at all, just mainly dunking the ball and putbacks. If Celtics get Greg Oden, be sure to see that almost EVERY night.</div>ummm ask Kareem Abdul Jabbar or Hakeem Olajuwon if that's all they did.put it this way.If you're in a tight game and you need a good shot close to basket, would you rather have Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudamire, Al Jefferson or Chris Bosh with the ball?(if you said anything other than Chris Bosh, you're probably gonna lose the game but Al Jefferson is more polished on the offensive end than Amare or Dwight)as for Oden, well goodie if he does that. Jefferson has enough moves in the low post to get some baskets.
