<div align="center"> @ <font color="Navy"><font color="Navy"> Toronto Raptors (27-36) @ Boston Celtics (35-29) TV: Toronto (Rogers Sportsnet Ontario), Boston (FSN New England) Venue: Fleet Centre Date: Wednesday, March 16th. TipOff time: 7:10 PM est</font></font> <font color="Red">- Starting LineUps</font> The Raptors: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Rafer Alston-Morris Peterson-Jalen Rose-Chris Bosh-Rafael Araujo</font></font> 6th Man: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Donyell Marshall</font></font> Coach: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Sam Mitchell</font></font> Team Leaders: <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring:J.Rose-17.0 Rebounds:C.Bosh-8.6 Assists:R.Alston-6.8 FG%:M.Bonner-55.7% FT%:J.Rose-85.3% 3PT%:M.Bonner-47.5% Blk:C.Bosh-1.3 Steals:R.Alston-1.5</font> <font color="Red"><font size="1">Injuries: Eric Williams- Calf (IL)</font></font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> The Celtics: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Gary Payton-Delonte West-Paul Pierce-Antoine Walker-Raef Lafrentz</font></font> 6th Man: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Ricky Davis</font></font> Coach: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Doc Rivers</font></font> Team Leaders: <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring:P.Pierce-21.8 Rebounds:A.Walker-9.3 Assists:G.Payton-6.0 FG%:M.Blount-53.1% FT%:P.Pierce-82.0% 3PT%:M.Banks-40.4% Blk:A.Walker-1.8 Steals:P.Pierce-1.7 </font> <font color="Red"><font size="1">Injuries: None</font></font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Keys To The Game:</font> - Attack The Interior: Walker, Lafrentz and Blount are not the best defenders in the world. They proved they can't defend the interior when playing against a good big man. Bosh and Rose should go at them on every single position in the post. - Attack Early: With the addition of 'Toine, the Celtics have been intimidating other teams at home and going at attacking them early. Raps must come out aggressive and in an attack mode to get lead ealry and build on it. - Don't Die by the 3: On Sunday, it was raining and storming from the 3 PT line. But as Raptors proved throughout the year, they can live by the 3, but more often than not, they die by it. If the shots are not falling early, throw the ball inside and operate the offence inside out. We can't keep jacking 'em up if they're not falling. Expect a much better defence than what Philly gave us. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Game Matchup:</font> vs Antoine Walker vs Chris Bosh Walker has rejouvenated the C's, and they're on a tare right now, but as I mentioned early, he doesn't like to play tough defence so the matchup against Bosh could be in our favour. On offence, Chris has to go hard on him in the post. Post him up or take him off the dribble. He has shown that he can go to the line whenever he wants to. Defensively, just contain his shots and don't go for the pumpfakes. Walker likes to pump fake before attempts a hook shot or a lay up, so it's important for Chris not to pick up those silly fouls. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Green">The X-Factor:</font> Jalen Rose The Rose have gone a little bit cold in his last three games after an impressive month. On the road, the Raps will be looking for Jalen to lead them by example byt attacking the Celtics inside and playing defence at the other end of the floor. Efficiency is very crucial on the road, and Mitchell will be looking for Rose to be just that. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Say What?! (Prediction)</font> The Celtics are 9-1 in their last 10 games. They have been playing amazingly and pretty much secured the Atlantic Division title. I predict a very close game and if we follow the game plan, we should have a shot at winning this one. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> </div>
Eeek. I have no idea who's going to win this one, but I predict Boston since they've been hot lately. Celtics 104, Raps 100
yea, im goin with the celts too...they're on fire. bosh is gonna have some issues out on the perimeter guarding toine too. but on the flip side, toine cant hold bosh down low. raps4life's score prediction looks about right.
Everyone thinks Boston can win? I think otherwise. Raptors are on the road but I have a good feeling that they will beat Boston. Bosh with 26 and 11, Raptors win 107-100.
Two things.... 1)Tony Allen is the Celtics starting shooting guard. 2)The Celtics have only won 8 of 9, not 9 of 10. As for the game, The Raptors are always tough competition for the C's. The teams have only played once since the Raptors traded Carter. The Raps won that game pretty easily behind Mo Pete, who was absolutely nasty, seeming to hit any and every shot that he took. He even hit a half court shot at one point. This is going to be a highly contested game, but I do agree that the Celtics will prevail at home.
I predict a close one too, with toronto coming upshort 105-102. I think Bosh will have a good game with 23 and 12.
Isn't Tony Allen starting? I know Ricky Davis started for a while, I think Allen was injured, but I'm pretty sure Allen starts. Delonte started at PG when Payton was still on the waiver wire. Anyways, this is a new look Celtics team, and in their house, we all know how good we are on the road, we don't have too much of a chance in this one with those circumstances. Bosh should have another big game, but the Raptors lose 102 - 95.
I believe Delonte started last game ALONG with Payton in the backcourt. But I don't know if Doc just went with West, or was it a descplinary action against Tony?
Delonte started against Washington two games ago. No details were given besides that it was for a "disciplinary" reason.
All i can say is Boston will win, not because they been hot lately. it's because they have a better roster than da raptors. they've got 3 superstars, Pierce, walker, Ricky davis simple as that. which player you gonna stop??? raptors gotta find an answer to it tonite. ONe
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Isn't Tony Allen starting? I know Ricky Davis started for a while, I think Allen was injured, but I'm pretty sure Allen starts. Delonte started at PG when Payton was still on the waiver wire. Anyways, this is a new look Celtics team, and in their house, we all know how good we are on the road, we don't have too much of a chance in this one with those circumstances. Bosh should have another big game, but the Raptors lose 102 - 95.</div> it is not Tony allen that the raptors gotta contain, it's Ricky davis. Allen starts but dosen't play more minutes than Ricky. Ricky does start on da bench, only to help da bench be more productive. But you can count he'll be in crunch time when da game is on the line.
^ I thought it was pretty good D by Ricky D, but I have to see it again. Tough loss. Positive things are that we came back without our "star" Bosh. Negatives, we lost. Horrible defense as always. This has got to be one of the worse officiated teams in recent Raptor history.. On the last play, I actually liked that we didn't calll a time out. It would've been better if that was Rafer with the ball instead of Milt, because he's quicker and better with the ball, but oh well. Milt tried to be a hero, but it didn't work out. Damn officials, they should never work with eachother again. I thought we could of scored without a timeout, catching the C's offguard, but they reacted well. Milt will make that shot next time. Oh ya...another positive; Rose with 3 dunks
Wow...another tough game for the Raps. I really thought they were gonna walk away with this one, guess the Celts proved me wrong once again. Both Rose & Walker played awesome games.
didnt see the game, im at work (as per f'n usual ) so i was just watching on the espn.com play by play game update thing...all i saw was "milt palacio...missed layup, end of game" then i cried
Tough loss, too bad bosh had to go down even though we made a comeback without him. Rose played well today with 33 points, and even 3 dunks, but the officiating was horrible.
Ya, after watching the replay I saw that it was a fould but thats okay, Raps should be used to it by now. Good game though.
wtf was milt thinking, how did he not pass da ball to rose man? what a stupid pg, first of all he ain't a clutch player to take that kinda shot at da end of game. second, he's too short to drive to the paint and score. and he's a bench player what's wrong with him trying to be mr clutch. And sam shoulda called a timeout to let everybody know who's taking da shot. Cant blame him, another mistake by a rookie coach.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VC #15:</div><div class="quote_post">Cant blame him, another mistake by a rookie coach.</div> Mistake? It wasn't Sam's fault. Milt was in the game for his defense and his play making ability. Sam, and I too, would think that Milt would drive, create extra coverage, and if there's nothing there, pass it out to a open player. Well everything happened except for the passing it out to a player part. It's not Sam's fault or mistake.
