Game 67 Preview: Celtics at Rockets
by ak2themax on Mar 19, 2010 12:00 PM CDT
in Game Previews
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PrintOh, goodness. The Rockets have won four in a row. Crazy. The Celtics come into town riding a two game winning streak, picking up two quality homes wins against the Knicks and Pistons. The Rockets, on the other hand, have won two big games in a row, and as it has been for the last week and for the rest of the season, this is a must-win.
The Celtics are 43-24, but don't let that fool you. This team is not a championship contender anymore. Danny Ainge sold this team's soul to get Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and the team is paying for it now. Injuries, especially to KG, have hurt them this season.But, they're perfectly healthy again and ready for the Rockets.
The last time these teams met, the Rockets won a thriller in Boston, and really propelled themselves out of a dark place. The team had been slumping and needed a signature win early in the season. At this point, every game for the Rockets needs to be a signature win. This game is like the largest size available at Cold Stone Creamery: Gotta Have It.
Matchups:
PG: Aaron Brooks vs. Rajon Rondo:
Rondo may look like an alien, but he truly is a remarkable player. He's either the Celtics best player, or their most valuable. I can't make up my mind. He's a terrific passer and plays solid defense. He averages 14/10/4 and over 2 steals per game. He's also underrated in mind. His one weakness is his jump shot: it's uglier than Sarah Jessica Parker.
Brooks isn't the point guard Rondo is, but he's a much better scorer. He can also, you know, hit a jump shot. Or three pointer. Or seven. This should be a fun matchup.
Advantage: Even
SG: Kevin Martin vs. Ray Allen:
Jesus Shuttlesworth has such a silky smooth three pointer that the dude could shoot from inside a phone booth and feel comfortable. That being said, all of his stats are down from last year. Truth is, he's getting old. But he can still shoot. I remember when he was with the Sonics with Rashard Lewis. They could beat you from the outside all day long, and you couldn't foul either one of them.
Martin just seems to disappear at times with the Rockets, but that doesn't make him any less great. As Xiane noted in his recap from the Grizzlies game, Kevin scored 18 of the most quiet points I've ever seen. He's really figured out his role with this team. Can't wait to see him with Yao.
Advantage: Rockets, slightly
SF: Trevor Ariza vs. Paul Pierce:
Advantage: Celtics
PF: Luis Scola vs. Kevin Garnett:
Ravaged by injuries, KG just doesn't look the same anymore. He still has the intensity and fire he's always had, but it's different. He's still getting his 14/7, but those numbers used to be more like 20/10. He's about 70% the player he used to be, according to those stats.
Once again, Scola=beast. Sorry, KG, but some things are impossible. Like beating Luis Scola right now.
Advantage: Rockets. Yeah, I said it.
C: Chuck Hayes vs. Kendrick Perkins:
Advantage: Even, maybe Celtics slightly
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Bench:
Celtics: They'll go 7 deep on the Celtics bench. Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace, Nate Robinson, Tony Allen, Marquis Daniels, Shelden Williams, and Michael Finley might all get time on the court.
Rockets: Sleepy's been relying on his bench less and less recently. Lowry limped around last game, though he's likely going to play. Shane has transitioned well so far, but Bud and Andersen are now X-factors. I don't know what they'll give us anymore, and that's partly Sleepy's fault and partly their own. Rookies hit walls. It happens. Oh, and Jordan Hill is giving us gorilla dunks that may one day get Dave to forget that Joey Dorsey fellow.
Advantage: Celtics, but it's close
Injuries:
Celtics: None, of course, since they're playing us
Rockets: Besides Yao?
Prediction: Rockets gotta have it, so I'll say they win by 5. Worked out last time.
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Don't underestimate KG playing post D on Scola.
In the past games against the c’s, KG has completely owned scola in the defensive post. He uses his long arms to harass him and he knows scola is always going to go right (funny how nobody else knows).
Rockets>>>>>>Jazz
Texans>>>>>>>Titans
Super Mario>>>>>>>Vince Young
by Rockets 4 Life on Mar 19, 2010 12:39 PM CDT reply actions
Rajon Rondo...
is overrated in my opinion. Remember that playoff game against the magic where they rolled the ball in bounds to him near the end of the game to save time? Then around half court, Rafer or somebody dove for it? That was priceless.
Let's be real here
Brooks is a better scorer, but Rondo is better overall. The guy gets everyone involved. And the Celtics have the advantage in the front court. Perkins and Davis are better than Hayes and Anderson, they just are. And KG is still a great defender. Lost a step, but he has played Scola very well in the past. If the Rockets wanna win, they’ll have to run a lot. And the bench will need to be huge.
I see what you're saying
But you’re thinking about the Celtics as they were, not as they are. Yes, they’re all “healthy”, but the only players at 100% are Rondo and Perkins. So it’s a lot more even than you think.
This game will be
one of the toughest ones they’ve had in a while. If the Rockets win, it could send them thru the roof with confidence.
Sadly, nothing is uglier than Sarah Jessica Parker.
J'aime manger de grandes quantités de cire de bougie. Vraiment? Omelette du fromage monsieur!
Way to underestimate
Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson off the bench can be the single most notable reason we might lose this game
by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Mar 19, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions
dont sleep on the rockets and
jordan hill i think could be a serious factor on KG. Hill has shown good defense and can finish around the rim. His quickness i think is underrated and this is one of those games when i could come out of his shell and hit for a double double. Remember the game Von Wafer had last year against the Cetics? Jordan Hill Could have an even better game taking advantage of and old and banged up KG.
Rajon Rondo - the spiritual and "alien appearance" heir to Sam Cassell.
Significant gravitas shortfall expected in 2010.
the .548 true shooting would imply otherwise.
Seriously, folks, where is this “Rondo is overrated” shit coming from? He’s a fantastic defender, rebounder, and passer, and his only real issue is that he lacks a consistent jumpshot. But when he can finish at the rim as well as most big men, that doesn’t really matter much.
Yeah, that's all fine for setting up the offense
But it’s nice when you basically don’t have to guard someone
This is all I have to say:
"I am from one of the top 15 cities in the world. Buffalo, New York." - TrentEdwardsHoF2018
I'll be at the game tonight
I’m hoping for a win, if not, then I’ll go 1-7 in games I’ve attended this year.
I swear, next year i’m only buying tickets for Nets games ;)
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
I know
that’s what I get for buying tickets to LA/Denver/Orlando/Hawks games etc. The only game i’ve been to that we’ve won was that Cleveland game.
"What is a Laker anyway? A sub-aquatic Quaker? It doesn't make sense."
by ressaliance_00 on Mar 19, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
should be a good game
Hopefully the rockets can pull out a win. I also would like to wish my Northern Iowa Panthers good luck against Kansas tomorrow,I think they can at least keep it close.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
I think I’ll write something about the panthers here tomorrow after I’m done celebrating.
Rondo
is not at all overrated. He is very, very good. AK, I think you could go as far as to say he’s probably their best and most valuable player, the guy’s been a stud this year.
you way over estimated scola and brooks
And underestimated how solid Perkins is. That was indicated by tonight’s game. Rondo is a fantastic player.
Wafer . . . again. (Marv Albert, HOU v. CLE Feb 2009)
-one of the FEW at Toyota Center who has the Wafer jersey
by olivarezq1 on Mar 20, 2010 1:32 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I knew Rondo was good
That’s why he got the advantage.
And Scola didn’t play terribly bad.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
Well
not the advantage, but I thought AB coming off a big game would play better. He disappointed me. It’s tough to distinguish a matchup advantage when one player has played better than the other one all season (Rondo) but the other one (Brooks) has been playing better as of late.
How many Biletnikoffs does he have? NOT TWO!
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