The game is played at Boston (ESPN, NBA TV).
The result marks as the only losing streak for the Celtics, so far. Their next game (Jan.16) against the Trail Blazers will not be easy either.
Celtics' offence continue to struggle, shooting an overall 0.419 FG (0.43 till half-time) and 0.250 in 3P. Rondo's absence, especially in 4th quarter (bad back/hamstring), has taken their offence away as well. They manages just 6 points in the final 6 plus minutes, 4 on free throws and the other 2 on a third-chance tip-in.
While Rondo sits, Tony Allen and Eddie House combine for 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and no turnover.
As Wizards coach Eddie Jordan offered, "A lot of teams miss a key piece and they have to adjust to win. You lose a 3-point shooter, you plug in another 3-point shooter. That's not a problem. But with Rondo, a pure, push-it type of point guard, they can't duplicate that. It's like a shock to the system when you lose someone key and don't have anyone to duplicate what he does."
Celtics' defence is still decent although not consistent, forcing Wizards to make only 0.386 FG, but failing to stop the opponent scoring off the glass in the last 2 plus minutes.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Celtics-Wizards Game (Round 2) Highlight
The game is played at Washington D.C. (ESPN, NBA TV).
Neither team has recovered from playing the night before, and is reflected in the stats. Celtics manage to make 0.413 FG but committed 21 turnovers, whereas Wizards has made only 0.368 FG and committed 20 turnovers.
Wizards' stronger play in the 4th quarter determine the outcome, with their rebound edge (49 to 30) and accurate FT shooting (made 27 of 30).
Rajon Rondo misses game (sore lower back). Tony Allen starts in his place and finished with 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 turnovers and no assist.
Neither team has recovered from playing the night before, and is reflected in the stats. Celtics manage to make 0.413 FG but committed 21 turnovers, whereas Wizards has made only 0.368 FG and committed 20 turnovers.
Wizards' stronger play in the 4th quarter determine the outcome, with their rebound edge (49 to 30) and accurate FT shooting (made 27 of 30).
Rajon Rondo misses game (sore lower back). Tony Allen starts in his place and finished with 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 turnovers and no assist.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Celtics-Bobcats Game (Round 2) Highlight
Last time the Celtics play Bobcats, they won it at the buzzer by 1 point (dump play by Bobcats' Jason Richardson).
It's payback time for Jason (NBA TV, ESPN). He has 34 points from 14 field goals, including several come as the shot clock is about to expire
On a night of bad-shooting (only made 4 of 20 3-pointers), the Celtics really miss the presence of Ray Allen, who misses game due to pinched nerve. Everyone has a sub-par game, even Doc Rivers is unable to address issues. But also credit to the Bobcats, they keep attacting the baskets (scored 48 in the paints) and out-rebound the opponents.
It's payback time for Jason (NBA TV, ESPN). He has 34 points from 14 field goals, including several come as the shot clock is about to expire
On a night of bad-shooting (only made 4 of 20 3-pointers), the Celtics really miss the presence of Ray Allen, who misses game due to pinched nerve. Everyone has a sub-par game, even Doc Rivers is unable to address issues. But also credit to the Bobcats, they keep attacting the baskets (scored 48 in the paints) and out-rebound the opponents.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Celtics being banged-up
The opposing teams are now playing very physical against the Celtics.
Garnett has 4 stitches over his eye from the Lakers game last week. Posey has 4 stitches in his arm from the Grizzles game (although this one looks more like an accident), and Rondo has stitches over his eye from the Pistons game over the weekend.
Fortunately, Ray Allen wasn't hurt when he was tackled by Lakers' Odom. Lamar is consequently suspended one game for committing the flagrant foul.
Garnett has 4 stitches over his eye from the Lakers game last week. Posey has 4 stitches in his arm from the Grizzles game (although this one looks more like an accident), and Rondo has stitches over his eye from the Pistons game over the weekend.
Fortunately, Ray Allen wasn't hurt when he was tackled by Lakers' Odom. Lamar is consequently suspended one game for committing the flagrant foul.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Celtics-Pistons Game (Round 2) Highlights
The game is played at Auburn Hills (ESPN, NBA TV).
Both teams have played the night before, so it evens thing out in terms of fatigue factor.
Introducing Glen "Big Baby" Davis (NBA TV). The Pistons have done their best to defend the Big Threes, and they have left the rookie open on several plays and paying the prize. On the other hand, both Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton have uncharacteristic missed free-flows towards the end.
Rajon Rondo continues to struggle against Billups, which prompts Doc Rivers to play Tony Allen instead for 22 minutes.
Both teams have played the night before, so it evens thing out in terms of fatigue factor.
Introducing Glen "Big Baby" Davis (NBA TV). The Pistons have done their best to defend the Big Threes, and they have left the rookie open on several plays and paying the prize. On the other hand, both Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton have uncharacteristic missed free-flows towards the end.
Rajon Rondo continues to struggle against Billups, which prompts Doc Rivers to play Tony Allen instead for 22 minutes.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Celtics-Lakers Game Highlights
Here is the game highlights from NBA TV and ESPN, including those sexy Lakers' shorts. Had they wear tight jerseys as well, they will be looked more like the Aussie Rule Football (AFL) team.
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Celtics-Pistons Game Highlight and After-thought
If you do not have ESPN TV, like me, here is the highlight (ESPN), and more.
As expected, the game is competitive and intense as both teams treat it as a self-measuring stick for the best team in the East.
As Chris Sheridan summarises, "experience, savvy and depth" to be the deciding factors for the outcome. Early in the fourth quarter with a 4 points lead, when Doc Rivers gives Rajon Rondo (who has an impressive first-half) a rest and hands over the ballhandling to Eddie House, he could barely get the ball over the halfcourt line against the suffocating defense of Lindsey Hunter. A 9-2 run put the Pistons ahead 70-67 before Rondo returns, and Detroit never trails again.
Next crucial moment, on their final possession, it looks like the play is drawn for Paul Pierce even though he already has a tentative shooting night (instead of going to the hot-hands). I can understand this from Doc Rivers perspective and i know he is willing to live with the decision. Pierce nevertheless has missed his 15-foot fadeaway attempt from the corner, but more importantly, he shoots it too early, leaving too much time on the clock for Pistons.
Coming out from the last time-out for the final shot, when Pistons' Tayshaun Prince notices that Tony Allen has checked back in as defender, he has told Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton (knowing one of them would get the inbound) to give Tony Allen a pump fake because Tony was just coming in off the bench cold. So Doc Rivers sub pattern and defence strategy has been exposed by the experience of Pistons.
The next meeting between the two will be Jan. 6, at Detroit.
As expected, the game is competitive and intense as both teams treat it as a self-measuring stick for the best team in the East.
As Chris Sheridan summarises, "experience, savvy and depth" to be the deciding factors for the outcome. Early in the fourth quarter with a 4 points lead, when Doc Rivers gives Rajon Rondo (who has an impressive first-half) a rest and hands over the ballhandling to Eddie House, he could barely get the ball over the halfcourt line against the suffocating defense of Lindsey Hunter. A 9-2 run put the Pistons ahead 70-67 before Rondo returns, and Detroit never trails again.
Next crucial moment, on their final possession, it looks like the play is drawn for Paul Pierce even though he already has a tentative shooting night (instead of going to the hot-hands). I can understand this from Doc Rivers perspective and i know he is willing to live with the decision. Pierce nevertheless has missed his 15-foot fadeaway attempt from the corner, but more importantly, he shoots it too early, leaving too much time on the clock for Pistons.
Coming out from the last time-out for the final shot, when Pistons' Tayshaun Prince notices that Tony Allen has checked back in as defender, he has told Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton (knowing one of them would get the inbound) to give Tony Allen a pump fake because Tony was just coming in off the bench cold. So Doc Rivers sub pattern and defence strategy has been exposed by the experience of Pistons.
The next meeting between the two will be Jan. 6, at Detroit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
