Preview: Celtics @ Magic <div align="center"> vs <font color="Green"> Boston Celtics </font> @ <font color="Blue">Orlando Magic</font> When Friday, January 16 Where TD Waterhouse Time 7:00 ET TV Local</div> Records Celtics: 20-21 Magic: 9-30 Previous Games <u>Orlando</u> <ul>January 14, Loss 120-110 @ New York January 12, Loss 87-82 vs Philadelphia January 9, Won 103-92 vs Washington [/list] Last 10: 2-8 <u> Boston </u> <ul>January 14, Loss 95-80 vs Houston January 13, Loss 111-103 @ Milwaukee January 11, Won 97-93 @ Houston[/list] Last 10: 5-5 Probable Starters Andrew DeClercq vs Mark Blount Juwan Howard vs Walter McCarty Keith Bogans vs Jiri Welsch Tracy McGrady vs Paul Pierce Tyronn Lue vs Mike James Injury List <u> Orlando</u> Pat Garrity Reece Gaines Grant Hill <u> Boston</u> Raef LaFrentz Kendrick Perkins Chris Mills <div class="quote_poster">Quoting :</div><div class="quote_post">Celtics forward Paul Pierce is scheduled to have his left hand examined Thursday, two days after getting a bruise between his index and middle fingers against Milwaukee. Pierce reaggravated the injury during the first quarter of Wednesday night's 95-80 loss to Houston. Pierce played 37 minutes and scored just four points on 1-of-10 shooting. "It went numb and it was difficult to catch and hold the ball. I'm having X-rays tomorrow and I hope it's not seriously injured," Pierce said.</div> Full Story Team Updates <u>Orlando</u> The Magic have lost 8 of their last 9 games and things do not appear to be getting better. Their last game was a 120-110 loss against the Knicks. Tracy McGrady scored team highs with 28 points and 9 assists. He also added 7 assists during the loss. Juwan Howard played well scoring 23 points while adding 8 boards. Trade rumors have been flying around regarding Tracy Mcgrady and Rasheed Wallace. If the Magic trade McGrady, they better get something great in return. [quoteright] "I'm one of those guys who think that people make mistakes and things happen in life. I've never tried to be Mr. Goodie Two Shoes and I'm not trying to be that person now. Things happen and you deal with it. I can deal with the consequences of everything that has happened." -Rod Strickland[/QUOTERIGHT] <u> Boston</u> The Celtics are looking to break their 2 game losing streak against the Magic. In their 95-80 loss against the Rockets, Mike James dropped 20 points. Mark Blount had a great game for the Celtics, scoring 14 points and grabbing 9 boards. Ricky Davis came off the bench to add 12 points on 4-9 shooting. Injury report: Paul Pierce bruised his hand during the Houston game. Keys to the Game <u> Orlando</u> <ul>Set the tempo of the game. Once the Magic fall behind, they don't seem to put the effort into a full comeback.[/list]<ul>Defend the basket.[/list]<ul>Play with energy.[/list]<ul>Play as a team. The Magic look mediocre on paper but everything seems to fall apart when they play together.[/list] <u>Boston </u> <ul>Attack the basket. The Magic don't have a big man to defend the hoop.[/list]<ul>Set the tempo of the game. If they start out fast, the Magic stand no chance.[/list]<ul>Contain McGrady. As much as he wines, he can still play ball.[/list]<ul>Make sure Pierce gets his touches.[/list] Current Team Leaders <u> Orlando</u> <ul>Points: Tracy McGrady (25.7) Rebounds: Drew Gooden (7.4) Assists: Tracy McGrady (5.8) Steals: Tracy McGrady (1.3)[/list] <u>Boston </u> <ul>Points: Paul Pierce (23.3) Rebounds: Paul Pierce(7.2) Assists: Paul Pierce(5.7) Steals: Paul Pierce(1.46)[/list] Key Bench Players <u> Orlando</u> Drew Gooden<ul>12.2 Points Per Game, 7.4 Rebounds Per Game, 1.3 Assists Per Game[/list] Rod Stickland<ul>5.5 Points Per Game, 2.3 Rebounds Per Game, 3.0 Assists Per Game[/list] Lee Nailon<ul>7.3 Points Per Game, 3.0 Rebounds Per Game, .5 Assists Per Game[/list] <u> Boston</u> Ricky Davis <ul>11.6 Points Per Game, 4.4 Rebounds Per Game, 1.8 Assists Per Game[/list] Marcus Banks <ul>5.1 Points Per Game, 2.1 Rebounds Per Game, 1.8 Assists Per Game[/list] Chris Mihm <ul>5.7 Points Per Game, 5.4 Rebounds Per Game, .2 Assists Per Game[/list] Key Matchup Tracy McGrady/Paul Pierce The 'X' Factor Who will get the best of the McGrady/Pierce matchup? Ice's Take Celtics take this one Recap and Boxscore following the game <font color="Magenta"><font size="1">Go to NBA.com for the official preview</font></font>
I'll say Magic win this one. They will probably come into this game and say let's just try to get aa Win for ourselves and fans. The Magic will start the game with a 10 point lead since they are at home and should win by aat least 5 if not higher IMO. I say Magic by 8
Paul Pierce is likely out with a hand injury,It's not comfirmed but ESPN mentioned he could be out for a few games.
Hopefully he is out then. Not disrepect to Pierce, I love him as a player, but I'm all for the Magic winning!
pierce is in my top 10 list but i hope he is out for at least this game lol..even if he is not..he wont be at 100% with the bruise..magic by 7
If pierce is out, then the magic still have to deal with Ricky Davis.. But without the Celtics all-star, i don't know if they could get it done... But I would imagine he plays if its not that bad of a bruise.. If he does, It would be a great to see Tracy and Paul go at it..
Honestly, the Magic play horrible if the other team is undermanned. So I still think that the Celtics will win regardless of whether Pierce plays or not.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jump:</div><div class="quote_post">Hopefully he is out then. Not disrepect to Pierce, I love him as a player, but I'm all for the Magic winning!</div> We all are. Wether Pierce plays or not is not that big of a deal to me. I'm just so sick of the Magics record this season I'll be happy if they just play decent basketball, doing what they are paid to do. Hopefully he does so he can give Tracy McGrady some competiton stat wise at the end of the game. let's go Magic and win the game
haha way to end the first half lue to drew for da monsta dunk! HALFTIME: Orlando Magic - 59 Boston Celtics - 59 T-Mac 21 pts 1 assist and 3 rebounds. The Truth 6 pts 4 assists and 1 rebound.. **Drew 10 pts 3 rebounds** **Pachulia 9 pts 6 rebounds**
OT started after mcarthy tied game..tmac had a 3 then a steal juwan gooden and bogans all scored 5 pts lead 2 mins left and he had 3rd 3 pointer of the season! 2nd in game haha
oh my what a game!! 124 - 118 in OT! T-Mac & Gooden with 74 pts together! 32 pts for Gooden a career high! I told yall he's back! 42 pts by T-Mac oh my oh my..lol lue 11 assists (124 season high) 10 - 30 ...
What an awesome game tonight, I was laughing really hard after the game when T-Mac said to one of the commentators "It's really nice to be in double digits for points and actually get the win" hahaha.
Great Game it seems.. Wish It was on Nationally.... Its good to see so many people with either alot of points, rebounds, assists, or just around everything.. Zaza looked like he did alot.. He should really be considered for starting at Center... Hes tall enough and really is alot better than Delclerq... anyone is at this point... Finally a win against a pretty good team..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ZeroToOne50182:</div><div class="quote_post">Great Game it seems.. Wish It was on Nationally.... Its good to see so many people with either alot of points, rebounds, assists, or just around everything.. Zaza looked like he did alot.. He should really be considered for starting at Center... Hes tall enough and really is alot better than Delclerq... anyone is at this point... Finally a win against a pretty good team..</div> 20-22 I think? Thats a pretty good team lol. It must be sad to be a Magic Fan.
