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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 19:04:48 GMT -5
Boston Celtics Catch Break against Houston Rocketsby Joshua BatemanCredit: Source unknownThe Boston Celtics will be playig a shorthanded Houston Rockets team with Chris Paul and Clint Capela out The Boston Celtics are playing yet another second game of a back to back, but this time it is against the top team in the NBA. The Houston Rockets are convincing everyone that they can contend for a title this year, and it has been near impossible for them to lose with Chris Paul in the lineup. One problem has been that Paul has not been able to stay in the lineup. James Harden has done more than enough to carry the load in his absence, and Clint Capela has been right there with him, with a chance at the most improved player award. The Celtics would have loved to beat a fully healthy Rockets team, but they are at a point where they probably needed both Paul and Capela to be sidelined, and the two of them are going to be missing the showdown between the top teams in each conference (Via NBA.com). They Rockets are also on their first skid of the year, making this a great opportunity for the Celtics. The Rockets have made it clear that they are going to be tough to beat any time Harden is in the lineup, and with the Celtics on the back to back, dinged up themselves and at the end of the most cluttered start to a season ever, this could still be the toughest game of the season. With Paul and Capela in the lineup, the Celtics would have needed to be at their absolute best, and that simply is not happening right now. The Celtics are playing down to their competition, and have not played at a level that can keep up with the Rockets at their best. Without Paul and Capela, it really will have to be the Harden show, with unbelievable three point shooting around him of course. No one in the league has any chance of slowing down Harden, but Marcus Smart will do as good of a job as anyone to try and disrupt something. If Smart can do anything to disrupt Harden, then they could surprise some people and get one of their biggest victories of the season. With how good the Rockets have been, it will be a lot more than these individual battles. The Rockets have put a great team around Harden, and the Celtics will need balance in order to beat them even if they are shorthanded. The Celtics will go into this game knowing they should have an advantage with the injuries, but they still need to be a lot better than any game during this stretch. They need the balanced scoring and they need to be at their absolute best on the perimeter. This is a vitally important game for the Celtics. They have gone through a brutal stretch that is about to end, and this is the toughest team during that stretch. If they can find a way to take advantage of the short handed Rockets, then they can escape this stretch with at least a two game lead on both the Raptors and the Cavaliers, and nobody can be complaining about that considering how poorly they have been playing. hardwoodhoudini.com/2017/12/28/boston-celtics-catch-break-houston-rockets/
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 19:15:24 GMT -5
Rockets visit Celtics in a battle of 2 shorthanded contendersThe Rockets, without Clint Capela and Chris Paul pay their only visit to the Celtics who are without Jaylen Brown and Semi Ojeleye. By flceltsfanBob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsThe third place Celtics host the 2nd place Houston Rockets for the first of two games this season. They will meet for the second game on March 3 in Houston. The series was tied last season with each team winning on their home court. The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 games and are looking for their second straight win after a victory in Charlotte on Wednesday night. The Celtics are 14-5 at home and 10-2 vs Western Conference teams. The Rockets are 7-3 in their last game and have lost their last 3 games. The Rockets are 12-2 on the road and 11-2 against Eastern Conference teams. The Rockets had their 8 game road winning streak snapped by the Thunder on Christmas Day. The Rockets are playing in the first of back to back games while the Celtics are playing on the second night of back to back games. The Celtics are 3-3 in the second of back to back games and 0-1 when the games are road/home. Both teams are dealing with injury problems. Chris Paul has missed the last two games for the Rockets with an adductor injury. He was still sore after going through Sunday's practice and is listed as out for this game. Clint Capela broke an orbital bone in Monday's game vs OKC and is out for this game. Luke Mbah a Moute (shoulder) and Troy Williams (knee) are also out for this game. Jaylen Brown bumped knees with Markieff Morris in Monday's game vs the Wizards and missed Wednesday's game. He may have possible ligament damage and will miss this game as well. Semi Ojeleye was upgraded to semi-questionable for Wednesday's game but he didn't play and is listed as out for this game also. Marcus Morris also missed Wednesday's game and is listed as available for this game. He looked very rusty in his minutes against the Wizards and so even if he plays it's not certain how much he can give in this game. I'm taking a guess that Nene will start for the Rockets in place of Capela. Also, I expect Marcus Smart to once again start at shooting guard. Houston's game notes have James Harden starting at point guard and Eric Gordon starting at the shooting guard spot with Chris Paul still unable to play. Celtics StartersIrving-Smart-Tatum-Horford-Baynes Celtics ReservesAbdel Nader Daniel Theis Guerschon Yabusele Terry Rozier Shane Larkin Jabari BirdInjuriesMarcus Morris (knee) available Semi Ojeleye (back) out Jaylen Brown (knee) out Gordon Hayward (ankle) out Two Way PlayersKadeem Allen Rocket StartersHarden-Gordon-Ariza-Anderson-Nene Rockets ReservesTarik Black Bobby Brown Zhou Qi PJ Tucker Troy Williams InjuriesClint Capela (eye) out Luc MBah a Moute (shoulder) out Chris Paul (adductor) out Troy Williams (knee ) out Chinanu Onuaku (G-League) out Two Way PlayersDemetrius Jackson Briante Weber www.celticsblog.com/2017/12/28/16827708/rockets-visit-celtics-in-a-battle-of-2-shorthanded-contenders
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 19:38:14 GMT -5
Green is available to play tonight! Rockets Sign Gerald Green To Non-Guaranteed Dealby Mark Suleymanov5:48pm: The signing is official, per team release.DECEMBER 28TH, 2:19pm: The Rockets are finalizing a non-guaranteed deal with veteran guard Gerald Green, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). The deal is not complete but the Rockets expect to sign Green before tonight’s game against the Celtics, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). With injuries to Chris Paul (groin), Luc Mbah a Moute (right shoulder) and Troy Williams (right knee MCL sprain), the Rockets have been searching for depth, per Feigen. Green, 31, signed with the Bucks in September but was released after playing in four preseason games. The 10-year NBA veteran has played for eight teams in his professional career, including two seasons overseas in Russia. Green was a key bench piece for the Celtics last season as he averaged 5.6 PPG in 47 games for Boston. Green previously played for Houston during the 2007/08 season but was released after appearing in just one game. ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter) has the financial breakdown of Green’s deal. Depending on when the deal is signed, the Rockets will incur a cap hit anywhere from $864,000-$872,000 if Green is not waived by January 7. www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/12/rockets-sign-gerald-green.html
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:01:14 GMT -5
The keys to this game will be;
1) Slowing down Harden as much as possible w/o sending him to the FT line for a season high number of attempts 2) Smart needs to stay in the game/avoid fouling out and Rozier needs to be at his best defensively as well 3) Score a majority of points in the paint with Capela out and Nene doing the rim protection 4) Better rebounding and less turnovers
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2017 20:11:28 GMT -5
Looking forward to Kyrie going off and matching everything that Harden will do. Go Celts!
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Post by cole on Dec 28, 2017 20:21:17 GMT -5
Not looking good. Whatever happens we get some rest next.
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:29:28 GMT -5
Did I see 15-0 shut out?
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:31:44 GMT -5
So much for avoiding TOs!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2017 20:32:53 GMT -5
Wow! One team is playing basketball and the other is looking like a G-League team.
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:41:03 GMT -5
Earth to Brad ... forego the three for an inside game and put some defensive pressure on the opponent (and fouls)!
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:45:06 GMT -5
A 12pt quarter (32-12) ... Really Brad? Ok, you're playing 2nd & 3rd tier guys but look at those stats! 26% - 28% shooting ... 8 TOs ... 6 pts in Paint? Even Tommy said the game plan s/b to take the game to them in the paint ... Jeesh!
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:47:38 GMT -5
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Post by puddin on Dec 28, 2017 20:47:49 GMT -5
Celtic scoring in the 1st quarter is spread out. We have 5 players scoring in the single digits.
Pud
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Post by Admin on Dec 28, 2017 20:48:45 GMT -5
39-15 ... HELLO!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2017 20:49:47 GMT -5
This is pathetic. Oh well! Still watching.
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Post by puddin on Dec 28, 2017 20:53:30 GMT -5
CBS takes a time out to stanch the bleeding.
Excellent move!
Pud
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Post by puddin on Dec 28, 2017 20:55:37 GMT -5
May be time to turn our 3 point shooters loose.
Pud
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Post by Employee8 on Dec 28, 2017 20:57:20 GMT -5
Larkin got rookie treatment from the ref ...
Is Horford awake yet?
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Post by puddin on Dec 28, 2017 20:58:30 GMT -5
Attachment DeletedHow about a forum wide group prayer to this guy? Can't hurt... might help! Pud
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Post by Employee8 on Dec 28, 2017 20:59:32 GMT -5
KI into his bag of tricks ...
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Post by Employee8 on Dec 28, 2017 21:00:39 GMT -5
How about a forum wide group prayer to this guy? Can't hurt... might help! Pud I've been on my knees for nearly a qtr now ... praying or crying.
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Post by puddin on Dec 28, 2017 21:05:34 GMT -5
When can we leave for London?
Pud
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Post by Employee8 on Dec 28, 2017 21:07:35 GMT -5
As soon as the jet engines thaw out ... maybe next Thurs
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Post by cole on Dec 28, 2017 21:09:39 GMT -5
As they say, a perfect storm.
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Post by Employee8 on Dec 28, 2017 21:10:22 GMT -5
this must be Erie, PA
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