<div align="center"> - <font color="Navy"><font color="Navy"> Boston Celtics @ Toronto Raptors TV: Toronto (Sportsnet, Raptors TV), Boston (FSN New England) Venue: Air Canada Centre Date: Wednesday, Jan. 12th, 2005 TipOff time: 7:10 PM est</font></font> <font color="Red">- Starting LineUps</font> <font color="Black">The Raptors: </font> Rafer Alston-Morris Peterson-Eric Williams-Chris Bosh-Rafael Araujo <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> Jalen Rose <font color="Black">Coach:</font> Sam Mitchell <font color="Black">The Celtics:</font> Gary Payton-Jeri Welsch-Paul Pierce-Raef LaFrentz-Mark Blount <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> Ricky Davis <font color="Black">Coach:</font> Doc Rivers ........ <font color="Red">Keys To The Game:</font> - Inside Out Offence: Start out the game by giving the ball inside to Bosh. It proved that once Chris going, our offence runs smoothly and he keeps everybody involved. It ain't a coincedince that we are 7-0 when Chris Bosh scores 20+. - Rebound: Mark Blount and raef LaFrantz are not the best rebunding front court. We have to take advantage on the glass in order to start our running game. - 2nd Unit: Boston has a very talented and energetic second unit which includes the two rookies (Allen, Jefferson) along with Ricky Davis. They'll look to push the ball up the court at every chance. Our bench has to match their intesity and make the right decisions. .... <font color="Red">Say What?! (Prediction)</font> This is a crucial game for both teams. If we win, we're only 2 games behind the C's in the Atlantic. On the other hand, Doc's crew are looking to make a strong push at NY and Philly with one the easiest stretches coming up. Raps win 112-91. </div> <div align="center"> </div>
<div align="center"> Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Place: Air Canada Center TV: Local <font size="4">Team Records</font> <font color="purple">Toronto: 13-22</font> <font color="green">Boston: 16-19</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="purple">Raptors Head Coach</font></font> <font color="red">Sam Mitchell</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="purple">Raptors Projected Starting Lineup</font></div></font> <div align="center"> <font color="red">(Rafer Alston, Morris Peterson, Eric Williams, Chris Bosh, Rafael Araujo)</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="green">Celtics Head Coach</font></font> <font color="green">Doc Rivers</font></div> <div align="center"><font size="4"><font color="green">Celtics Projected Starting Lineup</font></font> <font color="green">(Gary Payton, Paul Pierce, Jiri Welsch, Raef Lafrentz, Mark Blount)</font> </div> <font color="DeepSkyBlue"><div align="center"><font size="4">Bench Factors</font></font> (<font color="purple">Jalen Rose</font>,<font color="green">Ricky Davis</font>) </div> <div align="center"><font size="4">Key Players</font> (<font color="purple">Chris Bosh</font>, <font color="green">Paul Pierce</font>) <font color="purple">Chris Bosh:</font> 13.9 ppg, 7.8 apg, and 1.6 rpg <font color="green">Paul Pierce:</font> 21.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 4.2 apg</div> <font size="4">Keys to the Game</font> <font size="3"><font color="purple">Toronto:</font></font> <ul> [*]Chris Bosh- Getting Bosh the ball should be a priority in the game, the players need to get the ball to Bosh early, and establish him against a weak defender in Raef Lafrentz. Bosh should get about 12-14 shots in the game, and if he can maintain a high percentage he should get 20 or more. [*]Play some Defense- The Raptors need to keep up the defensive intensity, Pierce likes to drive to the basket and draw the foul, and help defense will be very important in the game. The Raptors also need to clean up the glass and not allow any second chance oppurtunities. [*]Get back on the break- As the Celtics also like to run, the Raptors need to get back on defense on every possesion, the Celtics will push the ball, and uneccasarily going for offensive rebounds will hurt the team defense. The guards and small forward need to get back and protect the basket, and not allow easy points. [/list] <font size="3"><font color="green">Boston:</font></font> <ul> [*]Push the Ball- The Celtics need to try and establish the early lead and push the ball. They need to go out and try to get the easy points, and keep the Raptors on their heels. [*]Attack the Basket- If the Celtics can get Bosh and/or Araujo in early foul trouble it will be very beneficial for them. It will force the Raptors to play more on the perimeter, and it will also hurt the Raptors interior rebounding. Attacking the basket and drawing fouls in the process should be an early priority. [/list] <font size="4"> Prediction</font> Like the Raptors the Celtics also like to run, except they shoot a higher percentage, and are more efficient in their running game. Also like the Raptors, the Celtics defense hasn't been too impressive, Doc Rivers has gotten at some of the players for their defensive effort, and overall effort. The Raptors have been looking like a very good team at home, the same can't be said on the road, but as this is a home game, look for the Raptors to take this one. It will be close through three quarters, and the Raptors will take it in the 4th, and win 110 - 104 Didn't know you whether you were going to do it....
Thanks for the addition OG. This game is going to be a tough one, because Boston is one of the only teams in the league that the bench could outplay the starters at any given night, so we don't have a clear cut advantage in that catogory like we used to against other teams.
Nice preview guys, i think if bosh gets a good start and if we get it going early we'll be able to hold them off in a pretty close game. I say 105-98 raps win.
here is my preview guys...hope you like it. TEH BOSTIN CELTICKS VS. TEH TORONNO RAPTERZ starting line ups: teh rapterz pg - taht street ball guy sg - teh guy who shoots sf - teh new guy pf - teh tall skinny guy c - taht brazillian guy teh celticks pg - taht old guy sg - teh europeean guy sf - that guy that skores the most pf - taht ugly white guy c - taht guy who took lots of money and stopped trying rapterz key to the game: score more points then teh other guyz how about that contribution eh?
^^ @ the starting lineup hahaha, anyway I think we can hold them off as long as we give Bosh plenty of touches and Rafer doesn't fall down on shooting slump again. I'm rooting for the Big Brazillian guy to get his first career double double on this one.
u guys have these nice previews but u always forget the bench guys. the de facto, well compensated cheerleaders. pape sow and aaron williams versus yogi stewart, thats the matchup i'm looking forward to. yogi as many already know is the highest paid cheerleader in the world, thanks to glen grunwald's genius. yogi has the experience advantage; he's been on toronto's, cleveland's and now boston's bench. aaron williams is a newbie to the proverbial pine, he's been a solid player for most his career, riding the pine is a new thing for him, he's a rookie. i like how he dresses, the sweaters must be complimented. pape sow is a newbie to the bench and the league but don't devalue this pine stud. he came to the aid of matt bonner in the notorious brawl involving spreewell and KG. sow's actions are what decided it for me, raps win by virtue of the sow tenacity, gary payton and paul pierce better watch themselves.
We can't let up against this team. It's gonna be close, and even if we jump out to an early lead the Celts could easily comeback.
49-59 raps at half. wow, mo pete with a great first half tying his season high already with 21. Bosh had a decent 1st half with 9 and 5 but we have 10 3 pointer at the half so that definately helped. We'll have to keep this up and not let this one slip away like most of our games this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dj_premium_plus:</div><div class="quote_post"> c - taht guy who took lots of money and stopped trying </div> I've never seen a better description of Mark Blount. This game is ugly. The Celts can't hit the broad side of a barn, and the Raps are hitting half court shots. I hope the Celtics can turn it around, but I'm currently doubting it, especially based on the way the game is being called by the officials. I have to say that I'm impressed so far with the new-look Raps.
Well done Raps!! Did you guys see Mo's 40 footer? lol. Excellent performance from both Mo and Bosh, as they both had career highs (Mo with 37 and Bosh with 26). Araujo didn't do much but it's alright, he's a rookie after all.
Man, MoPete wasn't even taking good shots with his three's, but when he's at home, everything goes in. He just played great today, also had some nice drives, and man, amazing. Bosh had 26 and 11, and also got 4 blocks, and he got the the line 18 times in the game, I've never seen a Raptor player get so many calls. Rafer didn't play too good, but who cares, MoPete was fouled on the last three!!!
104-93 raps win, big win and a great performance by mo pete with a career high 37 points. Bosh had another double-double with his new career high in points with 26 and 11 borads in the game. We won 4 of our last 5 and now we have to on the road to face philly on friday.
By the way, if you guys haven't heard of this Richard Jefferson is out for the season. So much for the so called "salvaging the season with Vince". Tsk Tsk.
Impressive game... i was rootin tootin pootin... whatever that means. When MoPete hit that half court shot I was outta my chair... boy that was insane. He was hitting 3 pointers like no other brother. Bosh put on a clinic for the Celtics, he's unstoppable, and so is MoPete when he's on his A-Game... NICE
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">Man Raptorez r teh rox0rxxzxx! </div> obviously you liked my preview teh best!!!!!11one huge game...bosh has been unbelivable lately. its his consistancy thats got me excited. he's rebounding the ball so much better which is a great sign too. now we need to go and do it on the road against philly...at least we'll be going in there with some confidence...that should help us out. we NEED this road win
I'm guessing Mo Pete heard what Paul Pierce said about him in the Boston Globe: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Asked if it was going to be weird facing a Vinceless team, Pierce, who staged many a battle against Carter, laughed and said, "What do you mean? They've got Morris Peterson. I mean, he's the second-biggest name behind Vince. He wasn't a big draw anyway. They've got Jalen Rose. What are you all talking about?" Then, in a more serious vein, Pierce said, "But Vince was the only name. He pretty much put Toronto on the map. But him not being there, the likely tendency is to kind of underestimate them, but they've been playing well lately."</div> http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/ce...arter_gone?pg=2 lol, Pierce got punked!!! Great game for the Raps though..... Araujo struggled but oh well, as long as he gets the PT and improves, all is okay. Bosh and Peterson are slowly becoming a pretty great duo. Let's just see if they can show some consistency these next few games.
