<div align="center"><font color="green"><font size="5">Boston</font> (30-38)</font> vs. <font color="turquoise"><font size="5">Denver </font>(36-32)</font></div> <font color="green"><div align="center"> Wednesday, March 17, 2004</div> <div align="center">At FleetCenter, 7:00 PM</div> <div align="center">TV: Fox Sports Net</div> <div align="center">Radio: WWZN 1510 AM The Zone</div></font> <div align="center">Injuries <font color="MediumTurquoise">Nuggets</font> Jeff Trepagnier Mark Pope Ryan Bowen <font color="Green">Celtics</font> Raef LaFrentz</div> <div align="center">Standings <font color="MediumTurquoise">Nuggets</font> 36-32 (.529) 8th West, 14.0 GB <font color="Green">Celtics</font> 30-38 (.441) 9th East, 20.0 GB</div> <div align="center">Probable Starting Lineups</div> Andre Miller vs. Chucky Atkins Voshon Lenard vs. Paul Pierce Carmelo Anthony vs. Jiri Welsch Nene vs. Brandon Hunter Marcus Camby vs. Mark Blount Sixth Men Earl Boykins vs. Ricky Davis <div align="center">Key Players </div> <div align="center">Carmelo Anthony and Paul Pierce</div> Keys To the Game <font color="turquoise">Nuggets</font> <ul> [*]No Penetration by Pierce [*]Don't Let Jiri and Atkins get going from the outside [*]Run, run, run [*]Box out Hunter and Blount [*]Take good shots [/list] <font color="green">Boston</font> <ul> [*]Get Back on D [*]Slow down Carmelo, make him earn his points [*]Crash the Defensive Boards [*]Get to the basket [*]Good shots [/list] <div align="center">Prediction</div> <font color="green">Boston 98</font> <font color="turquoise">Denver 87</font> Especially on St. Patricks Day I think Boston will have the luck of the Irish with them. They should be able to slow down Denver who until their last two games has not played well lately. If Boston can front the post, rebound, and stop the fast break thye'll win this game. Interesting Facts <ul> [*]The Celtics are 25-5 all-time vs. the Nuggets at home [*]The Celtics have beaten Denver six straight times in Boston and 12 out of the last 13 times [*]In his last 3 games against Denver Paul Pierce is averaging 36.3 points, 7.7 boards and 5.0 assists per game [*]In the Celtics win over Washington Friday, Pierce became the fastest Celtic in history to record his 10,000th career point [/list] <font size="4"><font color="green">The Celtics are 11-1 all-time at home on St. Patrick's Day. </font></font>
Have to win battle of boards With Chris Anderson out, We have to win the battle of the boards. I believe we are looking to get uptempo, judging by the fact that it's what they are talking about in practice articles this week during the short layoff. Melo can have his, as long as he earns them, which he'll likely do. He's just one of those guys that can find a way score. Paul Pierce needs to remember his last 4th quarter performance and remember that he's gotta be a leader the whole game as well. If we're going to focus on running tomorrow night, count on a big #'s night from Ricky Davis. I'll be hoping that Blount, Mihm, Hunter and McCarty are all filling the lanes well and feast on many hustle freebies.
Nice preview, BC. I hope to get some tickets soon because they sell out fast on St. Patrick's Day Nuggets: 89 Celtics: 97
I hate the whole "paddys day showdown" and that luck of the irish crap.Its not near relavant,its just a gimic:the whole irsh connection thing. Other than that it should be an interesting game overall.Nice preview but the ""Melo come for the truth" comment is a bit sad.
First off, <font color="Blue">welcome to J.B.B., Hagrid!</font> I was a big fan of yours at FH. I hope you decide to stay. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">With Chris Anderson out, We have to win the battle of the boards.</div> Well, Chris Anderson isn't as important to the Nuggets as a lot of people think. He's a great player, but on a Nugz' team dominated by the big men he's only good for five points and four rebounds. I'd be worried about the stick figure, Marcus Camby. I don't know how he does it, but he's been averaging just a shade under twleve rebounds in the last three games. I'd also be worried about Fransisco Elson and Nene. They'll do what Camby can't do, provide strength and size against the big Boston frontline. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I believe we are looking to get uptempo, judging by the fact that it's what they are talking about in practice articles this week during the short layoff.</div> Without a doubt they'll have to do that to win. I am not sure if that's what the Celtics are stressing, because I don't follow Boston; however, I do keep a close eye on Denver, and I can tell you Denver loves to run more than just about any other team in the league. In the Nuggets' last game they outscored their opponent (Utah) 31-11 in fastbreak points. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">GraphicXpert I hate the whole "paddys day showdown" and that luck of the irish crap.Its not near relavant,its just a gimic:the whole irsh connection thing.</div> I don't understand your comment. Boston has deep Irish roots and there are probably going to be thousands of people at the game tomorrow who are of Irish decent. Sure, Ricky Davis is probably not Irish, but the majority of the fans certainly are. Prediction: Boston by 4.
I expect this game to be a close one, and I will lean toward the Celts because they have been playing much better of late (really since the Ainge comments.) Denver just seems to have been tired, maybe from their up tempo style they have ran all season. I'll tip the Celts by 7.
This is what The Celtics want, or at least what Danny Ainge wants, a fastbreak style game. That's what Denver is going to bring to the table, hopefully Boston can match it. Transition defense will be key for Boston, along with hitting the boards which opens up their fastbreak opportunities and limits Denver's. I think we should see some more of Marcus Banks in this game, primiarly for defensive purposes. He's going to be able to stay in front of Andre Miller in a fast tempo game perhaps better than Chucky Atkins would. I think we'll also see Chris Mihm and Mark Blount have very effective games as well. They're both great big men when it comes to running the floor and they both can finish strong at the bucket in transition. Marcus Camby and Nene will have trouble keeping up, hope they have those laces tight...
This is what The Celtics want, or at least what Danny Ainge wants, a fastbreak style game. That's what Denver is going to bring to the table, hopefully Boston can match it. Transition defense will be key for Boston, along with hitting the boards which opens up their fastbreak opportunities and limits Denver's. I think we should see some more of Marcus Banks in this game, primarily for defensive purposes. He's going to be able to stay in front of Andre Miller in a fast tempo game perhaps better than Chucky Atkins would. I think we'll also see Chris Mihm and Mark Blount have very effective games as well. They're both great big men when it comes to running the floor and they both can finish strong at the bucket in transition. Marcus Camby and Nene will have trouble keeping up, hope they have those laces tight...
