Washington @ Boston -- 3/13/05

Thanks for the preview, K8B. However, Tony Allen will be starting, and Ricky off the bench. It will be interesting to see how Doc rations the defensive assignments. If I were the coach, I'd probably put Allen on Arenas.

I think the difference in this game will be the play of each frontcourt. Raef and Walker can dominate the paint if they want to today. I also think we have a huge edge in bench play. We now have two SOLID scorers off the bench, in Blount and Davis. While the Wizards will be suffering without Jamison, and a lack of depth in general.

I wonder if Al Jefferson will play defense tonight...

 

Both teams should come out looking to make a statement tonight, cause this could have seeding ramifications down the line.
It seems that everytime we meet up with the Wizards, someone is missing. Once it was Hughes with the injury, then another time Arenas with the flu, and now tonight it sounds like Jamison won't be able to go. While that sounds like a good thing, the Celtics have had a habit of letting up some when facing a team without its star player, but that was before Walker returned, so I hope that won't be a large problem tonight. I expect a big game from Davis, who matches up well with this team. In addition, Walker will be looking to get himself back on track following a tough night against the Pistons, so look for big things from him too.

I'll say Celtics pull away with late free throws, 104-92.

 

The Celts should've won this by 20, but thanks to Bennie Adams, Joe Derosa, and Tony Brown, we got to see a nice close game. The final free throw count was 41-17, but up until the two minute mark, it was 40-12.

The young guys of the bench were the key to us overcoming that extra wide free throw gap. Marcus, Jefferson, and Allen got the C's back into it in the 4th, after trailing by 10+. Marcus was the most impressive though. 9 point, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 14 minutes, and as Tommy kept saying, he was the main reason for the turnaround.

-Ricky didn't shoot well, but he more than made up for it with his 3 point play.
-Raef carried us for the first half.
-Paul was Paul, except Paul deserved about 10-12 more free throws.
-Walker was huge late in the game with his rebounding.

Overall, it was a nice effort. I like our roster a lot now, because guys can have off nights, but we can overcome that. Ricky had a rough night tonight, and Toine did against Detroit. It's great to see them play through that.

Does anybody know what Tony Allen did to lose his starters spot tonight? I heard it was for disciplinary reasons.

 

Young Guns!

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Celtics Young Guns played great tonight. In fact, we owe them this game. They added energy, up tempo hustle and grit to this game. Marcus Banks, Tony Allen, Al Jefferson and Ricky Davis led the C's to victory with inspirational play.

Tony Allen did not start tonight, due to an unspecified disciplinary issue with the team. Delonte West got the nod tonight in his absence.

Raef, Paul and 'Toine all had good games, but I just can't stop thinking about the way the 2nd unit stepped up tonight. Banks in particular took advantage of some floor time and passed and shot his way into the fans hearts tonight.

You've gotta love the diversity this team possesses. On any given night, you have the usual suspects and at least 1-2 of the young guys/2nd unit stepping up and having a big game. You can't contend without that kind of support.</div>

44: They didn't disclose the reason for TA not starting and likely won't. He was probably late for a meeting or practice or team bus or curfew. Something small, but something that shouldn't be let go in order to make sure a young guy like him remembers that the little stuff is still important to follow through on.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">thanks to Bennie Adams, Joe Derosa, and Tony Brown, we got to see a nice close game. The final free throw count was 41-17, but up until the two minute mark, it was 40-12. </div>
And the way that the calls were going I was convinced that they were about to call a charge on Ricky Davis in the final minute.
Great game by the young 'uns, which will come up huge down the stretch and potentially in the playoffs. The more they play now, the better off the team will be in the future.