The Celtics (16-2) will look to keep their 8-game winning streak alive tonight when they host the Magic (13-4) at the Garden. Orlando comes to town with a 4-game winning streak of their own, and the third best record in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are led by superstar big man Dwight Howard (21.8 points, 13.9 rebounds, 3.88 blocks) and keeping him from dominating will be priority #1 if the C’s are to win tonight. This means Perk needs to not only continue his strong play, but stay out of foul trouble as well. Howard does get scoring help from the other starters: Rashard Lewis (18.2 ppg), Hedo Turkoglu (17.3), Jameer Nelson (14.4) and Mickael Pietrus (12.9). The Celtics should enjoy a size advantage as well as one on the bench. Orlando’s top bench performers, Keith Bogans, Anthony Johnson and old friend Tony Battie, do not match up favorably with Boston’s bench. If the C’s can keep Howard from taking over the game, and prevent Lewis or Turkoglu blowing up for 30+ points, Boston should be able to make it 9 in a row.
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65 comments:
Don't know why, but Turkoglu scares me. Seems he is always capable of a huge night or clutch shots. If he doesn't hit for 20 they have no chance.
Just announced that Nelson, Pietrus and Bogans are all out for the Magic.
That means Anthony Johnson and JJ Reddick is their starting backcourt and I'm not sure who they plan to bring in off the bench.
I just went from feeling good to feeling great.
This is a big game for the Magic. I get to watch it on the NBA network - curious to see who announcers are. By the way, if you have not watched (and do have) the NBA network - the pre-game/halftime stuff is amazing...all because of Gary Payton. The guy has his own language and literally talks trash. It is Barkeley-esque but with more clarity and much better facial expressions. Payton is PRICELESS
Game is blacked out for me.
Dwight Howard will take his jersey off at the end of the game for sure. Also - he is demolishing the NBA in the blocks category.
Shit...Payton not in studio tonight - Eric Snow and Steve Smith. Eric Snow has this "I should be coaching the Cavs" attitude.
Steve Smith just referenced the value of Sam Cassel on the court. I hope he was referring to his ability to coach the guys actually playing on the court...otherwise...just a moron who should not be doing this job
JJ Redick covering Ray Allen tonight and vice versa? I love it.
Howard is a monster...his basketball IQ remains in question.
C's up 15-7 at the first break. KG has 4 rebounds already. I think he wants to pull down 20 on Howard just to make a statement.
Perk & Howard seem to have bad blood of some sort, but maybe that's just because Perk hates everyone.
First game back for Heinsohn since his wife died. Glad to have him back.
LOVE the Perk hard foul on Howard. He and KG totally trying to get in his head and be tougher. Howard (and the Magic) need a tough PF if they even want to try and compete with the Celts
Heinsohn is saying that Rashard Lewis has one of the softest most feathery shots in the league.
I love when Rondo drives looking to score.
Courney Lee for the Magic - was on the Celts board on draft night
RIDICULOUS 3 by Ray Allen!
I have Heinson! I love it. He did do the 76ers game Friday though - was that before or after his wife died?
Lee was who I predicted the C's would take, but the Magic took him like 3 spots earlier.
I missed the Sixers game....so first game for me. His wife died earlier in the week and he missed the game Wednesday.
Great alleyoop....terrible D by Howard on that one.
Rashard Lewis has ZERO chance of stopping KG.
I'd like to see Orlando vs Golden State...would be an entertaining game between 2 teams that wont win a title.
KG is so funny at scoring...and then the ball ending up in his hands...acts like he is passing the ball backwards to the ref/other team for the inbounds and the ball "accidentally hits his leg" and gives him a few more seconds to get back on D. love it
Hate to say it...but the Knicks are in that category too. They let it fly...now more than ever
Check this out....
http://realbostonsportsfans.com/2008/06/what-should-celts-do.html
na na na na na na na na BAT MAN!
Tony Battie! Man...what a good player he was in a system that fit him perfectly for the Cs
Rondo is amazing
My comment from the draft blog:
"#22 - Orlando takes Courtney Lee.
Dammit! I thought we were going to get him. He wasn't even projected in the 1st Round and now everyone is saying how great he is. Damn."
Keith Bogans = Steroids
Celts up 28-18 after the first.
Good stuff.
I love Eddie!
I like fouling Howard hard every play. Make him hit the ground whenever possible
Big Baby has been hitting that shot ALL YEAR. Such a nice addition to our offense
I just re-read the entire draft - CLASSIC stuff.
Hope this TA injury isn't serious. He's been playing great.
Tony Allen hurt - looks like an ankle. Man....someone call Bill Walker in Utah
It is clearly his ankle - why is Mike Gorman saying his knee?
The draft is definitely going to be an annual event on here.
Magic D has clamped down - seems like the Celts are getting slapped a lot. Any verification here?
Powe now has not played well in 5 consecutive quarters
Running lefty hook by Scal? Yikes!
Scal...WOW. Just seriously looked like a shot that any person I know could do better at
TA = Sprained ankle. Phew!
What a funny/accurate way to put that Scal shot into perspective.
what the fuck is our shot selection right now? Playing right into what they want us to do. I hate RUNS
10-0 run by the Magic.
Time to get the starters back in.
NOTE TO DOC = Scal is not shutting down Rashard Lewis...in fact...it is reason #1 on why they are coming back.
If Scal is still in after this commercial break I may shut off the game.
Good to get a whistle right there. Keep goint to hole
LOVE IT! Sam gets tossed!
S-L-O-P-P-Y
We need to start going to the hole...they will owe us some calls.
Howard is such a beast
"gym rat" - funny term
Sam Cassell and Steve Smith are cousins...had no idea
Good luck stopping KG
Why did Cassel get tossed?
JJ Reddick is the all-time leading scorer in the ACC. That's amazing tot me.
Pierce is owning the 3rd
Perk got called with a foul and Sam argued hard. Definitely a good move to deflect Perk's anger...and maybe that ref and Sam have a history?
Celts by 12 after 3. Our bench needs to step up - this is where they came back last time. No Scal on Lewis please.
Great hustle by Baby
How is that a T on Perk?
Refs totally are looking to get after Perk. SO ridiculous
Celts are protesting some of his techs to the NBA offices. They have put together a tape.
Nice easy win: 107-88.
Celts pulled away in the 3rd, which is when Pierce took over. Thus earning him the #1 spark of the night.
3 Sparks...
1-PIERCE
2-RONDO
3-KG
Perk could easily have gotten on there too with 13 rebounds and practically playing Howard to a draw....barely missed.
Ray barely missed too....finished with 21 and was the big scorer of the 1st quarter.
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