<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> November 15, 2006 - 7:30 pm ET</div> <span style="color:#000099">Indiana Pacers</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">(4-3)</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">PG</span> <span style="color:#000099">Jamaal Tinsley</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">SG</span> <span style="color:#000099">Stephen Jackson</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">SF</span> <span style="color:#000099">Danny Granger</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">PF</span> <span style="color:#000099">Al Harrington</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">C</span> <span style="color:#000099">Jermaine O'Neal</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#000099">Jeff Foster, Marquis Daniels, Darrell Armstrong, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Rawle Marshall, David Harrison</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston Celtics</span> <span style="color:#000000">(1-6)</span> <span style="color:#000000">PG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Sebastian Telfair</span> <span style="color:#000000">SG</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">SF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak</span> <span style="color:#000000">PF</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">C</span> <span style="color:#009900">Kendrick Perkins</span> <span style="color:#000000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Delonte West, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Gerald Green, Leon Powe, Michael Olowokandi</span> Injury Report <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Al Jefferson will not play (recovering from apendix surgery)</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Theo Ratliff is questionable (lower back).</span> Who To Watch Out For <span style="color:#000099">Jermaine O'Neal</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 16.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 bpg</span> <span style="color:#000099">Al Harrington</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 18.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.4 apg</span> <span style="color:#000099">Danny Granger</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 11.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Paul Pierce</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 25.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 3.7 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Wally Szczerbiak</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 22.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.7 apg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#FFCC00">IND:</span> <span style="color:#000099">Shawne Williams</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 17</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#000099">Has not played.</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Rajon Rondo</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 21</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg</span> <span style="color:#000000">BOS:</span> <span style="color:#009900">Leon Powe</span> <span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 49</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#009900">10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg (1 game)</span> <span style="color:#000099">Indiana's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#000099">Jamaal Tinsley</span> <span style="color:#FFCC00">Season Stats: 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.1 apg, 3.0 topg</span> <span style="color:#000099">Tinsley needs to have a breakout game, if you will. If he doesn't pick up the pace, Telfair and Rondo will run him all over the place. He needs to pace himself and play efficient basketball.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Boston's X-Factor</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">Season Stats: 8.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.4 apg</span> <span style="color:#009900">Gomes has been playing well almost every game, but he needs to be more consistant on the boards, especially against a tough frontline like Indiana. JO and Foster are both capable of getting 10 boards, then you have Harrington and Granger who are solid as well. They are a pretty strong rebounding team, and we need all of our bigs to bang the boards tonight, especially with no Al and most likely no Theo.</span> Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#000099">Al Harrington</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#009900">Ryan Gomes</span> <span style="color:#000000">Both of these guys are sort of tweeners. They are combo forwards, a little undersized for PF and a little oversized for SF, but yet still effective. I like the similarities between the two, even though Gomes is more of a banger and Harrington is more of a scorer. It should be an interesting matchup between these two versatile forwards.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/Notes I like the Pacers, they are a scary team when healthy and on top of their game. JO is a top 5-7 PF in the NBA and he can dominate both ends. That will be a big problem for Boston. CelticBalla's Prediction I honestly don't see us winning this one either. Indiana is too big for us, too strong, and too versatile. They have about 4-5 guys that are capable of playing 2-3 positions. I see us getting pounded on the boards, and I see us losing by 8-12 points.
yeah, I also see indiana's size being a big problem. although we have played very well against indiana in recent years. we beat them 3-1 last season. EDIT: I still don't see a win, unfortunately.
Well it's gonna be a battle of small ball here, but I think Indy is gonna win. We will have no answer in the paint to JO. I see the C's only chance of winning is if West completely shuts down Tinsley, Gomes shuts down Al, and JO has a horrible night.
Yeah, I feel that there big man are just going to dominated by J.O and Al. Hopefully the Guards are hot from mid-range.
I can't stand the offense where we stand around and watch Pierce. Anyways, Rajon is proving more and more he should be in there over Telfair.Perkins is really holding his own tonight vs. O'Neal. He did have one extremely impressive block on him and has laid down some pretty sweet moves down on the block on him. He's really stepped up since Al went out.
I'd say we're putting up a pretty good fight so far. Gomes is playing excellent, I think he has a double-double already. Pierce is playing great on offense, so-so on defense. Rondo is playing GREAT! he's a natural leader, no doubt about that. He just knows what to do with the ball, very encouraging.
Gomes is just grabbin them boards out there. Had like 10-11 rebounds in the first half. Perkins is also doing great out there. Looks like the Celtics might win this.
that one fely good. I could finally leave the living room with a smile on my face.Rajon Rondo, is incredible. I can't get enough of this kid really. he had 7 assists (he leads all rookies in apg by the way), but he should've had more. a few missed shots shouldn't have been missed. he constantly pushed the ball and really set the tempo. he repeatedly attacked the basket and found the open man, causing havoc for indy. I love it.Gerald's game was kind of bittersweet for me. I love the fact that he was hitting his shots, and had confidence, but it seems like when he shoots well, he expects the defense to just fold over. that's why I think he practically just let rawle marshall take it from him. he was careless and it cost us a possession. I know it didn't really matter, but in the little time he gets he should make the most of it.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRob-50-Forever @ Nov 15 2006, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh me of little faith!</div>shh.. we'll try to play it off as reverse phsycology. :shifty2:
Wow what a surprising win. Seemed as if almsot everyone played well tonight. Perks hooks were falling, he fought very very hard defending O'Neal. Rondo played incredibly yet again as noted. Aside from that one bad pass he made excellent decisions as usual and played solid defense. Gomes had another solid night too. I better be careful I don't get too optimistic. If they could play like that every night then maybe we could get a few more wins, but lets face it, we are still a bottom tier team with a lot of work to do.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yankshater213 @ Nov 15 2006, 09:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>but lets face it, we are still a bottom tier team with a lot of work to do.</div>...buzzkill.
hey dogma, Rondo is leading the league in assists for all rookies with 3.5, so I wouldnt get too excited. haha...but honestly, he is playing great. It seems that everytime he is in the game, the celtics start winning. One thing I love about him is how he always pressures the inbound pass. He got a few steals off of them tonight and it is definitely a momentum booster IMO. He hustles all the time and he is a good defender as well. He really needs to develope a jumpshot but he is getting by without one for now so I guess he is ok. The team played great tonight as a whole though. Paul shot amazing, the guards brought energy, Perk and Gomes hit the boards well offensivley and defensivley (which is great agaisnt a big Indina team), AND THEY KEPT THEIR LEAD! Best game of the year for the C's...no doubt.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Nov 15 2006, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>...buzzkill. </div>watch it albino
yeah I know it's only 3.5 apg, but for a rookie, it's not bad. especially for a rookie playing 21 mpg, playing with mostly 2nd string players.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Nov 15 2006, 10:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Gerald's game was kind of bittersweet for me. I love the fact that he was hitting his shots, and had confidence, but it seems like when he shoots well, he expects the defense to just fold over. that's why I think he practically just let rawle marshall take it from him. he was careless and it cost us a possession. I know it didn't really matter, but in the little time he gets he should make the most of it.</div> But at the same time, you have to agree that Rondo made a very late pass which caused Gerald to mishandle that. What a game, we actually won... in a blowout! I am so happy right now. Paul Pierce <u>32 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists on 11-19 shooting</u> The Truth was feeling it tonight. He hit everything from mid-range, he nailed a couple 3's, he had 30 after the 3rd quarter. This is the Paul Pierce I know. I'm happy he bounced back. Wally Szczerbiak <u>20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists on 7-19 shooting</u> Wally really struggled in the first half, he picked it up in the 3rd. Not his best game, but he still didn't pass up his open shots and you have to love that. Ryan Gomes <u>12 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block</u> I love Gomes. He does everything, he's such a hard worker, he has a great nose for the ball, he's scrappy. He showed all that tonight, and then some. Great job Gomes! Kendrick Perkins <u>12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks</u> Perk was an absolute beast tonight. He stayed out of foul trouble and really played well vs. Jermaine. He played defense, rebounded, got some offense in the first half, I loved it. By the way, that technical at the end was BS. Rajon Rondo <u>5 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals</u> That stat line is nuts, but that doesn't even tell the full story. He hustled like CRAZY as usual, brought a LOT of energy, he was a little floor general out there. This kid is something special. Sebastian Telfair <u>7 points, 6 assists on 3-5 shooting</u> Bassy played well tonight. People are going to be raving about Rondo, and they should be, but they will sometimes forget all about Telfair while doing that. Telfair has been extremely solid pretty much every night this year, and the past 2 games he's played under much more control. Keep it up Bassy. Delonte West <u>2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals</u> He brought a lot of energy, but he had a rough shooting night tonight. In fact, he didn't really look to shoot as much as he should have. He had a great groove going the previous two games, then he slowed down tonight. I loved the energy as usual from D-West though. Gerald Green <u>9 points, 3 rebounds, 3-5 FG, 3-4 from three in 15 minutes</u> Gerald played well tonight. He made a couple mistakes, but nothing major really. He knocked down those three's and got a season high. But WOW when he went up for that dunk attempt and cocked it back, I thought we had a highlight! Too bad he got bumped. But I liked what I saw from Gerald, and tonight was a big confidence booster for him, IMO. Give him consistant minutes and he will continue to produce. Leon Powe <u>5 points, 4 rebounds in 10 minutes</u> He needs to work on his post game. But he brought hustle, toughness, and he banged the boards. You have to love his hustle and work. Michael Olowokandi <u>4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block on 2-5 shooting in 10 minutes</u> O played pretty solid tonight. He got boards, made a couple nice defensive plays, and he dropped a couple hooks. Basically the average from Kandi-Man. Tony Allen <u>6 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal in 9 minutes</u> TA had that nice dunk at the end, and he had a nice pull-up jumper before hand. Minute for minute I guess Tony Allen played pretty well, but he has found himself at the end of the depth chart. DNP Monday and only 9 minutes in garbage time tonight. Gerald is officially ahead of him, but good job tonight for when he was in there. Brian Scalabrine <u>1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover in 5 minutes</u> 5 minutes, he did nothing bad, nothing good. I hardly noticed Man Boobs tonight. Awesome win, I don't even want to talk about Doc's flaws tonight. I just want to talk about the good play by the Celtics, for once. Next Game Friday at home vs. Portland at 7:30 pm.
Great win for the Celtics. Everyone contributed and Perkins is really proving to be the player that I thought he could be when he came into the league. A solid scorer, fierce rebounder, and great shot blocker.Great win for the Celtics.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RashadzMcCantz @ Nov 15 2006, 10:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Great win for the Celtics. Everyone contributed and Perkins is really proving to be the player that I thought he could be when he came into the league. A solid scorer, fierce rebounder, and great shot blocker. Great win for the Celtics.</div> Yeah Perk has come a long way since his senior year in High School. I don't think fans around the league have any idea how hard this guy has worked on his body and game. I remember the first 2 years in the NBA, Perk was fat. He was overweight, very slow, and chubby. He worked his ass off like crazy in the summer before his 3rd year (which was last season), and he got into awesome shape. His whole game improved. This year, same deal. He started off slow this year because he would get 2 quick fouls early in the game because he tried to do too much too soon, then he became frustrated. But these last 3 games Perk has been outstanding, and this kid his fearless. If he continues to play smart, work hard, and stay out of foul trouble, he's going to continue to be a force for the C's. I absolutely love the future C/PF lineup of Perk and Big Al.
hmm... nice game pierce shot very well 11 from 19, Perkins was good on defense with 4 blocks I can't remember the game when O'neal would left the court with 8 pts in pacers not bad night was for lithuanian Sarunas Jasikewicius
Celtics played great out there last night. Rondo finally showed that he can get some minutes out there. Looks like Doc is finally letting Gereld get some more minutes and TA getting less playing time. What we need is for Pierce and Wally to continue scoring for our team and let Perkins & Gomes play big and Rondo, Seb & West play some great defense.
Congradulations guys. What can I say? We were supposed to win. Boston had two major runs in the 3rd quarter, that I guess put the game away.Nice win for y'all.
