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2010-05-11T12:55:00.001-07:00

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2010-05-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

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2010-05-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

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March 9, 2010: Boston Celtics @ Milwaukee Bucks (8:00PM, Bradly Center, Comcast Network)

2010-03-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

For the Boston Celtics, the month of March has been particularly rewarding. The C’s are currently 4-0 and have battled their way into the third seed in the East, at 40-21. Tonight, the Celtics travel to Milwaukee to take one of the league’s hottest teams. The Buck’s, currently 33-29, are 9-1 in their last 10 games, and have taken over the fifth seed in the East. This past weekend, the Bucks took down the league best Cleveland Cavaliers, and point guard Brandon Jennings is not satisfied. "Right now, I'm playing for something bigger," Jennings said after hitting five 3-pointers against the Cavaliers. "Main thing is get to playoffs, having the city start believing in us and keep going on from there."

Tonight is going to be the first real test the Celtics have encountered throughout the current four game win streak. Although the Celtics comeback win over the Wizards proved to be a challenge, the Buck’s are too good for the Celts to get away with lack of intensity. The Celtics are currently holding opponents to a league best 93.8 points per game, and if the Celts expect to return home with a win, the C’s defense must show up. That being said, look for Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins to come ready to play and continue to restore the Celtics defensive intensity. Perkins will have one of his tougher matchups tonight against Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut. Bogut has established himself as one of the NBA’s tougher centers, currently averaging double-double figures at 16 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game.

If the Celtics want to continue their dominance on the road and improve to their fifth straight win, Ray Allen and Paul Peirce must continue to play well down the stretch. However, my matchup of the game does not involve either Ray Ray or the Captain. Featuring two of the most promising youngsters in the NBA, the matchup to watch will be at the point guard position. At only 24 years of age, Rondo has established himself as one of the premier point guards in the NBA, meandering his way through opposing defenders. Tonight, Rondo will have his hands filled with 20 year old Brandon Jennings. Jennings, who is averaging just under 16 points per game has Rondo’s similar ability to wreak havoc on opposing defenses.

Tune in tonight at 8:00pm on Comcast Network to watch the Boston Celtics battle it out with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Son’s List:

1) Come ready to play early, the Buck’s are on fire
2) Get Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins involved down low
3) Stop Brandon Jennings from penetrating the Celtics defense

Key Matchup: Point Guard

Rajon Rondo: 14.1 points per game, 9.9 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game
Brandon Jennings: 15.8 points per game, 6.1 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game

Prediction: Celtics Survive one of Their Toughest Road Games of the Season

1)Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins play excellent low post basketball
2)Rajon Rondo slows down Brandon Jennings enough to capture win
3) Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis dominate bench play

Ray Allen’s Second Half Heroics Save Celtics

2010-03-08T07:55:00.001-08:00

With six minutes to play in the game, the Celtics were staring down a 13 point Wizards lead. It seemed as if the Celts three game win streak would come to an end against an impoverished Washington team. However, after a Celtics timeout and the return of the starting five with 6:09 to play, the C’s went on a devastating 16-2 run. With 1:37 left to go, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo headed to the free throw line to finish off a three point play. Rondo had the opportunity to bring the Celtics to within a point. Celtics nation had no idea what was to come. Off a Rondo miss, Celtics center Kendrick Perkins secured the rebound found Ray Allen from behind the arch. Allen answered the calling, draining the three point shot and giving the Celtics their first lead since the beginning of the first quarter. Ray Allen was not done yet.

With 17 seconds to go in the game, the Wizards had regained the lead 83-82. Following a Celtics timeout, the C’s took the court with the game in their hands. Rolling of two superb picks from Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, Ray Allen found himself with a clear look for three. With only 6 seconds to go, Allen hit his second crucial three pointer, giving the Celtics the lead, and the win, 86-83. “The bigs, Kevin and [Kendrick Perkins] set great screens, and I came off," Allen said describing his winning 3-pointer. "I think I had more time, but that’s one thing about shooting the ball, I don’t like sitting there on the 3-point line. Once I come off, it's like the ball comes and I’m up in the air with it."

Ray Allen took the game into his hands in the second half, rallying the Celts to one of their largest comeback wins of the season. Allen connected on 10 of 15 shots, posting 18 second half points, and finishing with 25 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal."A huge weapon," Garnett said when asked about Allen's scoring potential. "You know him and [Paul Pierce] put up a lot of points in a hurry. That’s big. We have to get them open. You know our job is to get them open. I thought that once he got into a nice, little rhythm, I think that everyone else fed off of that a little bit. When it was time to really get him opened for the three, we got him open, and he hit a big shot."

Do not let Ray Allen’s incredible performance out shadow the balance of the Celtics scoring. Captain Paul Peirce finished with 17 points, Rajon Rondo finished with 15 points and 7 assists, Kevin Garnett finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds, and Kendrick Perkins finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds. When the Celtics starters are all in double figures, the team is 18-3. A stat that proves when the Celtics “Big Five” is ready to play, there is no stopping the C’s.

The Celtics head to Milwaukee Tuesday night to take on one of the league’s hottest teams. The Buck’s, who are 9-1 in their last 10 games, currently hold the sixth seed in the East. Tune in on Comcast Network at 8:00pm to watch a potential prefix to the first round of the NBA playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks’.

March 7, 2010: Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics (8:00PM, TD Garden, ESPN)

2010-03-07T08:31:00.001-08:00

After recovering from last Saturday’s motivating loss to the league worse Nets, the Celtics bounced back to their first three game win streak since their West Coast trip after the All-Star break. The Celtics enter tonight’s game in search of their 40th win of the season. At 39-21, the Cs are locked in a tight battle for the third seed in the East with a slight edge to Atlanta in winning percentage.

The Washington Wizards come to the Garden losing four out of their last five games. At 21-38, the Wizards hopes for a playoff appearance are slowly slipping through their fingers. Without Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Josh Howard, or Brendan Haywood, the Wizards are a much different team than the Celtics beat 99-88 on February 1st.

Tonight appears to be the Celtics debut for newly acquired, 15 year veteran, Michael Finley. The 37 year-old, two time All-Star has scored over 17,000 points in his career and played in over 1,000 games. “We don’t know where we’re going to fit him in, but adding a veteran can never hurt,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. Finley will likely play the small forward position behind Captain Paul Peirce and Marquis Daniels.

Since becoming a starter after the departure of Atwan Jamison, Andray Blatche has played above average basketball for the Wizards. In nine games, Blatche is averaging 24.1 points per game and controlled the paint for Washington. He will have his hands full tonight as he squares off with Kevin Garnett. Garnett, who put up 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in Friday night's win over the 76ers, is showing no signs of letting up down the stretch.

Tune in tonight at 8:00pm on ESPN to watch the Celtics capture their 40^th win against the Wizards.

Son’s List:

1) The Celts must come ready to play and get out to a fast start
2) Work the offense and do not turn the ball over
3) Let the Celtics big men dominate the low post, especially Perkins

Key Matchup: Power Forward

Kevin Garnett: 14.5 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, 0.9 blocks per game
Andray Blatche: 11.3 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, 1 block per game

Prediction: Celtics Capture 40^th Win

1) Perkins dominates the low post with 10 points and 10 rebounds
2) Look for the Celtics bench to continue to dominate the second quarter
3) The Celtics defensive continues to play well and shut down the Wizards

Rondo Posts Double-Double, Celtics by 10, 96-86

2010-03-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

With last night’s ten point defensive victory of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics regain the best road record in the NBA at 22-10. On a night where Paul Pierce struggled finding his shot shooting a dismal 1 from 9 from the floor, the Celts had to look elsewhere for production. "I kept looking at my hand wondering what was wrong," Pierce said. "I felt real good out there. But the shots weren't falling." At the start of the second half, Cs point guard Rajon Rondo decided it was time to take over. Rajon put up 14 of his 16 points in the third quarter alone, dazzling the 76ers with reverse layups and no look passes. It was evident Philadelphia’s defense had no intention on stopping the All-Star from driving to the hoop. Rondo finished the game posting double- double figures for the Celts with 16 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Ray Allen took control of the game early posting 11 of his 16 points in the first quarter. Allen took advantage of his size advantage at shooting guard with 6-1 Lou Williams. Williams could not find his way off the pick getting lost in the Celtics offensive schemes leaving Ray with better than perfect looks from the floor. Kevin Garnett is starting to look more and more like the unstoppable force of 2007-2008 and led the way for the Celtics with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. "We're a veteran team, we know how to play," Garnett said, "It's just (about) when we want to put our heads together, go out and execute and do the things we have worked on. I think the second half of the season is when you really get into what you do.”

The Celtics bench continued to play well highlighted by a solid performance from Mr. Big Baby. Davis provided once of his best performances of the season hitting on 5 of his 8 shots from the floor and finishing with 12 points and 6 rebounds in only 16 minutes. The Celtics finished with 9 offensive rebounds, three of which came from Davis and another three from Perkins, a stat the Cs would like to see more of.

The Celtics look to keep building momentum towards the playoffs as the take on the Washington Wizards at home on Sunday night.

Son's Top 10

2010-03-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (49-14): With the expected return of Zydrunus Ilgauskas, the loss of Shaq may not be as costly to the Cavs as one would think

2. Los Angeles Lakers (46-17): With Kobe Bryant’s ability to walk on water and wrap ESPN’s analysts around his “broken finger”, the Lakers will cruise to the top seed in the West.

3. Denver Nuggets (40-21): George Karl is a true inspiration to the NBA, I wish him the best of luck.

4. Orlando Magic (43-20): The only krptonite for “Superman” is the Magic’s capability to throw games away with their excessive amount of three’s.
5. Boston Celtics (39-21): The Celtics need to reestablish their dominance at home.
6. Dallas Mavericks (42-21): Dallas is 9-1 in their past 10 games and there is no sign of Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs to let up anytime soon.
7. Utah Jazz (39-22): The two Dukies, Deron William and Carlos Boozer, have their sights set on the second seed in the West.

8. Atlanta Hawks (40-21): Jamal Crawford is no doubt a lock for 6^th man of the year.

9. Phoenix Suns (39-25): The Suns mascot, “Go Gorilla”, has been named MVP every season since his début in 1980. Fortunately for Steve Nash’s electric season, MVP stands for “Most Valuable Primate”.
10. San Antonio Spurs (34-24): Do not count out Tim Dunkin and the Spurs, look for this veteran squad to make a strong late season push.

The Celts will continue to gain momentum down the stretch and be ready to play Celtic team basketball in the playoffs. Next Sunday, March 14, will be the biggest test for the Cs of all season. At 3:30pm, on the ABC Sunday Showcase, the Celtics visit the Quicken Loans Arena to face off with LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

March 5, 2010: Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers (7:00PM, Wachovia Center, Comcast Network)

2010-03-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

After a 24 point, Gino deserving slaughter of the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday night, the Celtics look to continue their road success at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. The Celtics, currently fourth in the Eastern Conference at 38-21, have been blessed with superb bench play the past few games, especially from newly acquired scorer Nate Robinson. “He’s our X-factor in a lot of ways,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I don’t know if we need him to play great to win, but I know when he plays great that it’s tough for us to lose.”

The 76ers have struggled at home posting a 10-18 record while losing their last four out of five games, dropping to 22-38. One would think the loss of Allen Iverson for the season due to family matters would have plagued the team, but replacement Louis Williams has dominated the floor. Since his return to the starting lineup, Williams is averaging 20.8 points per game and hit his first 10 shots against the Hawks Wednesday night. Unfortunately for the 76ers and Williams, he will be facing off with Ray Allen.

Rajon Rondo has been nothing but perfect throughout the second half of the season pushing his season averages to 14 points per game, 9.9 assists per game, and 2.5 steals per game. Rondo, who made his fist all star appearance of his career earlier in the year, has defined himself as one of the leagues premier point guards. Rondo’s ability to take over games when it counts has kept the Celts in numerous games this season.

Tune in tonight at 7:00pm on Comcast Network to watch the Celtics battle the 76ers in the Wachovia Center.

Son’s List:

1) Pierce needs to force Andre Iguodala to shoot the outside shot and not let him drive
2) Let Ray Allen take advantage of his matchup advantage at shooting guard
3) Garnett and Perkins need to crash the boards hard and limit the 76ers second chance opportunities

Key Matchup: Strong Forward

Paul Pierce: 17.9 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game
Andre Iguodala: 17.2 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 31.1% from the arch

Prediction: Celtics Win a Tough One on the Road

1) Ray Allen comes out firing to carry the Celts early in the game
2) Rasheed puts up 10 points in his home town
3) Nate Robinson and the Cs bench takes control in the second quarter

Michael Finley Agrees to Join the Celtics

2010-03-04T13:47:00.001-08:00

According to multiple league sources, Michael Finley has agreed to join the Celtics for the remainder of the season. The 37 year old, 15 year veteran was waived by the Spurs earlier in the week and is expected to join the Celts this weekend. Finley stands at 6-foot-7 and in 25 games this season has averaged 3.7 points per game. Over his career, Finley has put up good numbers averaging 15.9 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. As mentioned earlier this week, Finley reminds Celtics nation a lot of PJ Brown, the Cs veteran hero of the 2007-2008 Championship team.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge commented on the possibility of Michael Finley joining the Celtics earlier in the week. Ainge felt Finley would be another useful option for Cs coach Doc Rivers off the bench for Paul Pierce or Ray Allen. However, Ainge did not shy away from his opinion adding, “I don’t think he’ll make the difference in whether we raise another championship banner.”

The Return of the Gino, Celtics by 24, 104-80

2010-03-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

For the first time in over three months, the Garden erupted with the appearance of the American Banstand legend and Celtics victory dancer, Gino. "Gino had so much dust on him, I think everyone was sneezing," joked Kevin Garnett. "But it was definitely good to see some Gino highlights. We'll try to get a couple more, you know." The Celtics exploded from the three point line shooting 62.5 percent from the arch on 10 of 16 shots in a dominating effort against Michael Jordan's Bobcats.

The performance of the night came from Captain Paul Pierce. Pierce recorded one of his best games of the season with a game high 27 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds. "You don't just see teams turn it on once the playoffs start, the process is very important," Pierce said during a rare pregame conference with the media. "It's like when you go to a boxing match. You don't just step out there and fight. You have to build up and practice by sparring. That's what the regular season is, you have to get ready." The captain did just that, on 9 of 13 shooting, four of which were three-pointers, Pierce seemed to have found his rhythm.

My stat of the game came from the league's number one Celtics defense. Late in the first quarter, the Celts began a 16-0 run that held the Bobcats scoreless for five minutes and twenty five seconds. Nate Robinson was the prime offensive weapon throughout that stretch providing three clutch three pointers for the Cs. Robinson finished with 16 points off the bench and was able to enjoy his first viewing of the Celts victory performer.

Tune in Friday night as the Celtics head to the Wachovia Center for a showdown with the Philadelphia 76ers.