<font size="1">* I noticed that this forum didn't have a game preview for tomorrow game, so I decided to post the game preview I originally did for the 76ers Forum. If someone else post a 76ers at Celtics game preview, I'll take this one down.</font> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><font color="DarkRed">Philadelphia 76ers</font> (0-0) <font color="Green">Boston Celtics</font> (0-0)</div> <div align="center">Time: 7:30 PM, EST Location: The Fleet Center TV: CSN, NBA League Pass (Free Preview Nov 3-9)</div> <div align="center">Previous Game Philadelphia 76ers: N/A (none) Boston Celtics: N/A (none)</div> <div align="center">Starting Five</div> <div align="center"><font color="DarkOrange">Guards</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="DarkOrange"><div align="center">Allen Iverson - Gary Payton</div></font> <div align="center"></div> <font color="DarkOrange"><div align="center">Aaron McKie - Paul Pierce</div></font> <div align="center">______________</div> <div align="center"><font color="DarkOrange">Forwards</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="DarkOrange"><div align="center">Andre Iguodala - Jiri Welsch</div></font> <div align="center"></div> <font color="DarkOrange"><div align="center">Kenny Thomas - Raef LaFrentz</div></font> <div align="center">______________</div> <div align="center"><font color="DarkOrange">Center</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="DarkOrange"><div align="center">Marc Jackson - Mark Blount</div></font> <div align="center">______________</div> <div align="center"><font color="blue">Head Coaches</font></div> <div align="center"></div> <font color="blue"><div align="center">Jim O'Brien - Doc Rivers</div></font> <div align="center">Key Matchup</div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center">Allen Iverson VS. Paul Pierce</div> <div align="center">On the depth chart, they are playing two completely diverse positions, however expect them to take charge when their respected teams go head to head on Nov 3. Allen Iverson and Paul Pierce are unquestionably the best players on their team and they are the vocal points. Expected them to make the opening statement from the get go. It's going to be a one on one heated battle between both competitors. However, for their TEAM to win they will have to get their teammates involved however. Paul Pierce is surrounded by a group of young and talented players. And since the departure of co-captain Antoine Walker everything was placed on his shoulders. Luckily, Danny Ainge the Celtics GM was able to snag Gary Payton from the Los Angeles Lakers and will be the starting PG for this ball club. Many have questioned Gary Payton ability on whether he can still play because of his lack of production with the Los Angeles Lakers. But now that he is playing for a new coach in a different system things could be different. But the fact of him starting on a clean state will not only be his or should I say the team beneficiary, his experience will be also be a plus. Again, this is a very young team and you can say that Paul Pierce was their most experienced player, but now that Payton has arrived some of that pressure has been taken off of Paul Pierce, and if things go their way they can flourish well. Allen Iverson on the other hand is embarking on a whole new role. For the first time since his sophomore season, Allen Iverson will now be running the PG. Critics has questioned his ability to play the PG because of his so called "selfish" play, however Allen Iverson understands his role and has indicated that he will do whatever his coach asks of him and will do whatever it takes to win. Coming off a "disappointing" performance in Athens in terms of Team USA success, Allen Iverson has a positive outlook on this season nonetheless. He has made it clear that he vowed to change and will become a team leader, but to some this sounds like a broken record to some, but Iverson play during the Olympics has indicated that he will be ready. And at this point of his career? talk is cheap like Iverson once said and what he does on the court will really matters. And as the season begins Iverson and his whole new mentality will be the benefactor for this team success. Now that he is running the PG position, it puts more pressure on the defense and since the team pace is going to go from an Eric Snow Sunday pace to an Allen Iverson NASCAR pace, the speed will compliment him in which he can be even more effective.</div> <div align="center">Keys To The Game</div> <div align="center"><font color="Red">Philadelphia 76ers</font></div> <div align="center">For the 76ers to come out victorious, they need to contest every shot. This Boston Celtics team has a nice dose of perimeter shoots. From Jiri Welsch to Paul Pierce, this team has a nice shooting touch. Also, they need to make sure they do not get outrebounded. During the preseason this was one of the 76ers major weaknesses, so if they can outrebound the Celtics or not get outrebound by a large margin they could fare well for themselves. And lastly, they need to take care of the ball. Heading into this game the 76ers are averaging 18.5 turnovers from preseason play. And this is one of Coach O'Brien biggest concerns. So if the 76ers can prevent themselves from causing too many turnovers and not getting outrebound, they should have good chance leaving the Fleet Center with an 1-0 record.</div> <font color="green"><div align="center">Boston Celtics</div></font> <div align="center">The Celtics on the other hand needs to guard the paint. They cannot let Allen Iverson get into the paint. If they do, they will be in a world of trouble. However, Allen Iverson is not their only concern; the likes of Andre Iguodala and Willie Green are also good ball penetrators. So the Celtics must be careful because the more the 76ers get into the paint the more the Celtics put themselves vulnerable to early foul trouble. Also they cannot underestimate the 76ers perimeter shooting as well. They have players such as McKie, Robinson, Korver, Green, Davis and Iverson in which can hit the 3Pt shot, so they need to watch the perimeter as well, but pay more attention to the paint however. Paul Pierce of all people could give his advice; after all he is Jim O?Brien former star player and knows the 76ers system quite possibly better than any player on the 76ers roster. And yet another thing that the Celtics must do is put pressure on the 76ers backcourt. With the loss of Eric Snow, the 76ers has had trouble taking care of the ball, so if Boston wants to get into the open court they must force some turnovers. So all in all, if the Celtics want to start off with an 1-0 record, they must to do these things.</div> <u><div align="center">Bench</div></u> <div align="center">Both teams have what you call a nice bench. However, the 76ers bench is a little more deep and has more depth. From veterans like Corliss Williamson and Glenn Robinson to up and coming stars like Dalembert and Willie Green the Celtics will have their hands full. However, the 76ers bench cannot underestimate the Celtics bench. The Celtics bench also has a nice group of players. From Ricky Davis and Tom Gugliotaa to Delonte West and Al Jefferson the Celtics bench is fairly well rounded. If anything the bench just may be the key for both teams to win.</div> __________________ <font color="Blue">Avery Predictions:</font> Personally, I think this game will go into OT. Both teams are out to start off on a great start after having such a disappointing season last year. I think the Celtics will come out strong and leave the 76ers wondering what they will do next, but lead by Allen Iverson they will make a run and put themselves back into the game in which they will come out victorious in OT by 7 points. <div align="center">Player Of The Game</div> <div align="center"></div> Despite, Glenn Robinson lackluster to play D, some thought this was a bold but yet very questionable move by Jim O'Brien. Putting a 1st Round Pick (9th Pick Overall) into the starting lineup is a big step. However, Andre Iguodala earned this spot and it wasn?t handed to him. And I believe he will show how he earned this spot. I could see him making some big defensive plays and shots when needed. I predict his stat line will look like this: 13 Points on 4-10 shooting, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists and 3 Steals.
<u>UPDATE (NOTES)</u> <font color="Red">Philadelphia 76ers</font> <ul>The Philadelphia 76ers finalized their 12-Man Roster which includes Samuel Dalembert, Kenny Thomas, Andre Iguodala, Aaron McKie, Allen Iverson, Willie Green, Kyle Korver, Corliss Williamson, Kedrick Brown, Josh Davis, Marc Jackson and Brian Skinner[/list] <ul>Glenn Robinson alongside John Salmons and Kevin Ollie was placed on the IL.[/list] <ul>Kenny Thomas is listed as a GTD decision for tomorrow season opener against the Celtics because of a right eye abrasion & left eye traumatic iritis. If he sits, expect Corliss Williamson to be the starting PF.[/list] ____________ <font color="Green">Boston Celtics</font> <ul>The Boston Celtics finalized their 12-Man Roster which includes Paul Pierce, Tony Allen, Marcus Banks, Gary Payton, Ricky Davis, Al Jefferson, Mark Blount, Tom Gugliotta, Raef LaFrentz, Walter McCarty, Kendrick Perkins, and Jiri Welsch[/list] <ul>Delonte West alongside fellow rookie Justin and veteran Michael Stewart was placed on the IL.[/list] <ul>Gary Payton is expected to be in the starting lineup despite a non-displaced fractured thumb.[/list]
Nice preview. I see the Celtics taking this one, mainly because of the depth advantage that they have over the Sixers. Paul Pierce will likely have a 25/6/4 game, and Payton will hand out a bunch of assists. However, the Sixers have an outside chance if Allen Iverson goes crazy with one of his 40-point games.
This game is going to depend on the other teams supporting cast.The Sixers will need guys like Kenny Thomas and Willie Green to do their thing,while the Celtics need Ricky Davis and GP to do the same. The reason is AI and Paul Peirce will likely produce,so you need the guys built around them to step up over the other teams supporting cast.
There's no one doing the game previews right now, because I'm getting married this weekend and aren't able to do them and no one else has stepped up to do them. Hopefully, one of our Celtic Faithful will step up to the challenge, at least as a temporary fix, until I get back. Thanks to Avery for sharing this one. My regards. :thumbsup: I don't put too much into early season matchups, but would like to see the C's beat Philly for several reasons, not the least of which would be for the reaction from OB. If I can find the time, I'll be trying to catch the game on LP tomorrow night and maybe be able to provide some post game commentary and thoughts. My schedule is weird right now, so don't be disappointed if I can't get anything done.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">...because I'm getting married this weekend </div> Congrads!!! Best of luck to you.
Game recap: Celticsblog article <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Another season opens, another year of hopes and dreams. A few select players from the World Champion Boston Red Sox (damn it feels good to say that!), including Derek Lowe, Doug Mirrabelli, and Marc Bellhorn and Owner John Henry, were introduced to the Celtic and Boston Faithful, which are often hard to seperate from each other. Celtic Captain Paul Pierce gave brief remarks to open the season and we're all thankful that he's a much better player than he is at public speaking. 1st Half recap: No one on the C's truly impressed, but Paul Pierce's fade away came pretty close. 17 pts and 8 rbs is a nice start to a season, particularly when it comes in the first half of play. Ricky Davis did an acceptable job trying to defend Allen Iverson in the first half. His offense was spotty, but when challenged on the defensive end, he seemed to come up big on the offensive end in the persuing possession. Interesting...... Mark Blount got into foul trouble late in the half, but did a decent job overall, although it wasn't anything to write home about. The rest of the C's played OK, but 10 turnovers in the half is something we need to work on.</div> And of Course, why I write for the Celticsrant blog: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Now for the rants: 1. Someone tell me what the hell Payton was thinking shooting 2 3pointers in the last 2 minutes, one with 40 secs left? I had just gotten done saying that 6 pts and 8 assts was a good sign of a PG: more assts than pts (Marcus Banks take note of that, PLEASE, because right now, you've got a serious case of ME-ism and it's pissing me off). 2. Blount's hands still suck and his ability to finish in the paint is driving me nuts. Here's a hint Mark: You're 7FT tall. DUNK THE DAMN BALL!!! 3. Paul Pierce, I love you and 35pt, 11rbs and 7 assts is a hella nice stat line. That said, please stop cheating off your man so much, it's leaving the 3 pointers wide open and with OB as the opposing coach, that's a purely stupid thing to let happen. 4. Will someone please stand up and rebound and control the paint? If Blount and Googs aren't going to do it, then get the kids in there. At the worst, it oughta piss off the vets and get them to play smarter and harder. </div> Enjoy, I'm off for 2 sunny weeks in Hawaii for my honeymoon. Once back, I'll have game commentary for most C's games for the rest of the season. :thumbsup:
