Game 2: Toronto @ Boston

CelticBalla32 · Nov 4, 2007

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November 4, 2007 @ 2:30pm ET
Air Canada Centre (Toronto, ON)
Game aired on CSN

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Boston Celtics
 (1-0)


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Toronto Raptors
(2-0)


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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Rondo SG Allen

SF Pierce PF Garnett C Perkins


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PG Ford SG Parker

SF Kapono PF Bosh C Bargnani

 
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<h4>Team Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>103.0 PPG (12th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>48.1% (9th)</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>33.3% (20th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>46.0 RPG (10th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>20.0 APG (19th)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>106.0 PPG (9th)
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>49.4% (5th)
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>57.9% (1st)
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>37.5 RPG (27th)
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>25.5 APG (6th)
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<h4>Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Paul Pierce (28.0 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett (20.0 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett (5.0 APG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>Andrea Bargnani (20.5 PPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounding</td>
<td>Carlos Delfino (6.0 RPG)</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>T.J. Ford (9.5 APG)</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup
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Rajon Rondo vs. T.J. Ford
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These two speed demons have had terrific matchups in the past, and Rondo has the upper hand at the moment. When these two teams met last season, preseason included, Rondo absolutely harassed Ford by cutting him off defensively, drawing fouls, and taking him out of the game mentally. The C's could use another one of those games from Rondo. If he can keep Ford in check and possibly get him in foul trouble again, that'd be a huge help.
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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Perimeter Defense: The Toronto Raptors are clearly one of the best shooting teams in the NBA, if not the best. On top of that, they are extremely unselfish and will hit the open man each and every time. Having James Posey back will help the Celtics defend the perimeter and contest shots, but one excellent defender isn't going to beat the Raptors. It has to be a collective team effort.

[*]Ball Movement: Against Washington, the C's played a little too much 1-on-1 for my liking. That's not to say that guys were selfish, but it looked as though the Celtics got a little to comfortable with the lead at times and reverted didn't bother to run many sets at all. We need to run a real offense against a team like Toronto. I want to see sets, cuts, screens, and spectacular ball movement. Other than when Pierce is in with the second unit, I don't want to see much 1-on-1 play.

[*]Hurt Them Inside: The Raptors are an excellent team, but they are obviously perimeter oriented, and their front court is somewhat soft. If we use the posting up skills of KG, Pierce, Posey, and Perk to our advantage, as well as win the rebounding column, we should be in decent shape.[/list]
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<ul>[*]D Up: Obviously, the Boston Celtics have arguably the most devastating trio in the entire league in Garnett/Pierce/Allen. On top of that, they have other guys who can chip in offensively such as James Posey, Tony Allen, Eddie House, and Rajon Rondo. Mix that with the good ball movement they have showcased, they are hard to stop defensively. With that said, Mitchell better have put together a great defensive gameplan and Toronto better bring their A Game defensively.

[*]Own the Boards: The Celtics should be one of the better rebounding teams in the league this year. Toronto, on the other hand, is pretty average in that regard. If Toronto can toughen up, box out, and gain the advantage in the rebounding column, that would be huge.

[*]Make It Rain: The Celtics have done a tremendous job defensively in preseason and the season opener, holding teams to shoot very low percentages from the floor. Toronto, as mentioned before, could be the best shooting team in the league. If the Raptors can move the ball well and make contested perimeter shots, which we all know they can do, they'll be in good shape (offensively, anyway).
[/list]
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<h4 align="center">X-Factors</h4>
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 James Posey

Welcome back, James. Now that you've learned your lesson and served the suspension, it's time to go to work. Against a perimeter oriented team like Toronto, Posey's defense and toughness will be greatly relied on. Pose needs to make sure he plays terrific defense, muscle, and gets boards.

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 Andrea Bargnani

The #1 overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft has gotten off to a terrific start this season, following up on his excellent preseason showing. He'll need to continue that tonight, as his ability to stretch the floor and keep opposing bigs off the glass is key, especially against a good rebounding team like Boston.

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<h4 align="center">Injury Report
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None.


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None.
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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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<td colspan="2">This will be a great test for the Celtics. How can they play on the road against a good team, when the game matters? How will they respond? Will they be able to get stops with a rowdy crowd against them? We'll see, but I think they'll get the job done. This game could go either way, but I'll say the C's come out on top and give Toronto their first loss of the regular season, behind another terrific game from KG.</td>
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Shapecity · Nov 4, 2007

Atlantic Division bragging rights are on the line in this one. Boston dismantled the Wizards in the Big 3's debut and Toronto hammered the Nets. Both of these teams have a lot of high profile players, but I give Toronto an edge in this game because of their bench. Toronto always plays well at home and have guys who can matchup with KG, Pierce, and Allen. With Bargnani emerging into a consistent scorer, the Celtics can't just stick KG on Bosh and call it a night. If KG defends Bargnani than it takes him away from the basket and Chris Bosh will have his way with Kendrick Perkins. If KG defends Bosh, than Bosh will take him out of the paint and Bargnani will have his way with Perkins.

CelticKing · Nov 4, 2007

Boston 105 - 100 Toronto

KG 25pts 18rbs 5blks

CelticKing · Nov 4, 2007

Game starts in a couple of minutes. Bet 500 on the Celtics' W.

CelticKing · Nov 4, 2007

Playing good all around game so far.

Celtics 37 - 26 Raptors

GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!

MosDefinitely · Nov 4, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Game starts in a couple of minutes. Bet 500 on the Celtics' W.

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Whats's the spread?

CelticKing · Nov 4, 2007

^ Boston +2. Hopefully they do it. lol

CelticBalla32 · Nov 4, 2007

You guys can check out my game recap by clicking this link.

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Game 2: Toronto @ Boston

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Game 2: Toronto @ Boston

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