(19-19) Time: 8:30 PM ET Venue: Toyota Center Away TV: FOX NE Probable Starting Lineups Jackson 10.9 ppg Welsch 8.5 ppg Cato 6.2 ppg Blount 7.1 ppg Yao 15.5 ppg Mihm 5.6 ppg Francis 17.0 ppg James 11.3 ppg Mobley15.5 ppg Pierce23.7 ppg Key Matchup Yao Ming vs. Celtics Centers The Celtics are weak up front especially without Raef Lafrentz, and the Rockets with Yao will destroy the Celtics if Mihm, Blount, and McCarty don't slow him down. Yao is most effective when he gets the ball on the block, he can hit the little jumper, show you his post moves, or what will kill you more than anything, his passing. This is why Mihm will need to limit Yao's touches, the more he touches the ball the more easy looks the Rockets guards will get. <font color="green">Celtics Keys to the Game</font> <ul> [*]Run, the Rockets will destroy hem in halfcourt sets, if the Celtics get easyfast break points that will help them in what should be a close low scoring game [*]Rebound, no second chance points [*]Force Cuttino and Francis to shoot jumpers, no penetration [*]Pierce needs to set his teammates up, and get everyone flowing in the offense [/list] <font color="green">Prediction</font> Celtics 78 Rockets 84 [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/rockets/rockets_preview_logo.jpg[/imgl] VS. 20-15 RECORD 19-19 W1 STREAK W2 5-5 LAST 10 5-5 86.5 PTS. SCORED 94.3 83.7 PTS. ALLOWED 93.8 43.5 REBOUNDS 41.2 17.7 ASSISTS 21.3 .427 FG% .444 .387 OPP. FG% .418
I myself agree, but I think they'll dominate on both ends of the Floor. Pierce isn't physically strong enough to take out the Rockets, he'll have to rely on his actual shooting ability instead. I want the Celtics to win but alas, Rockets by 7.
Here's the thing about the Celtics: teams tend to count them out this season. The mismatch of Yao and Mihm will really hurt the Celts, the Rockets will certainly take advantage of this. Yao will be the go-to guy for the team, and they'll focus on shutting down Pierce. Good coaching can help the Celtics match up to the Rockets' power and have a chance to win the game. They could do something unexpected, like give the ball to...Blount. Yeah, who am I kidding. Rockets by 11.
