Triple P. Celts are gonna be primed, poised and pissed when entering 8 mile tonight. Let's face it, the Celts status as an organization changed when they aquired RA and KG and amalgamated what is called the big 3 2 years ago. 82 reg season games and 4 playoff series later the Boston Celtics were born again. Since that that ring, it has been a somewhat rocky road. Nevertheless, last year they gave us one of the best playoff matches I have ever seen against Chi Town. And I am certain that with KG healthy last year Boston would have been back searching for a ring rather then ousted in the 2nd round. Since the new born Celtics I doubt they have ever had a more embarrassing loss then the one they had against the Nets. Combined with the 20 point loss to the Cavs, this team is going to treat this as a must win in Detroit. A team that holds as much pride as the Celts do, calling a game against a 21 win team a must win...spells a victory for sure. No Perkins due to the flu does scare me. However, it give Sheed an opportunity to finally step up. Big Baby will administer some hurt against some soft 4 men for Detroit. Paul Pierce will be back and although he is struggling mightily recently I suspect a big game from him. KG is the leader of the pack, the pride and embarrassment will lead him to lock down the paint and be a dominant defensive presence. I don't like Stucky and believe that Rondo can easily do what he wants against him. Today the key to the game is the bench play of Nate, Daniels and Tony Allen. If they can contribute some offense in what I suspect to be a very defensive game, then Boston will have no problem winning this one. I think Nate, Paul and Ray and Rondo all go for double digits tonight and KG and Sheed do the rest. Boston temporarily redeems themselves with a win over the Pistons
BOSTON ML
There was a lot of controversy, discussion and argument when it cam to Paul Westphal's distribution of minutes. The roster rotation was way to generous for consistent success. Everyone on the team was getting plahying time...this ain't public school baskebtal coach, this is the NBA. He had to find a proper rotation. This team had enough talent and grit, all it needed was direction. I personally love his choice. Now Tyreke is a 2 guard. I think he is perfect for that spot. He is not a PG. He plays better on the wing and can still distribute the ball as a SG. Beno Udrih is a talented pure PG. He fits well in the starting 1 role and give Reke much needed space. Omri Caspi is very underrated. He has raw talent and a basketball IQ that cannot be taught. He is a long, lanky SF who can rebound as well. His defense is decent and length will allow him to have some success guarding KD. Carl Landy is a piece. They love him in Sac and traded away a top 10 scorer for him. He is a 4 man who is although small for his position, huge in heart and persistence. He is a fine tuned offensive post player and should easily back down Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka at will. Spencer Hawes was at the forefront of controversy. He complained about playing time, instead of coach suspending him for conduct detrimental to the team, he said here you go whitey let's see what you got. Spencer did not disappoint going for 31 points 7 assists, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks in the past 2 Sac Town wins. He is a perfect mesh with Landry and completes a solid big man combo. Bench play will not be too key as I suspect starters to log heavy minutes for both teams. OKC has a nice bench consisting of 3 players basically. Collison, Obaka and Maynor. Sac has talented big wings in Garcia, Nocioni, Ukoka and Green. Matchup wise the Kings are not too shabby compared to the Thunder and I really think that 11 is just too much here. Kings cover on the road.
SAC +11
BOSTON ML
There was a lot of controversy, discussion and argument when it cam to Paul Westphal's distribution of minutes. The roster rotation was way to generous for consistent success. Everyone on the team was getting plahying time...this ain't public school baskebtal coach, this is the NBA. He had to find a proper rotation. This team had enough talent and grit, all it needed was direction. I personally love his choice. Now Tyreke is a 2 guard. I think he is perfect for that spot. He is not a PG. He plays better on the wing and can still distribute the ball as a SG. Beno Udrih is a talented pure PG. He fits well in the starting 1 role and give Reke much needed space. Omri Caspi is very underrated. He has raw talent and a basketball IQ that cannot be taught. He is a long, lanky SF who can rebound as well. His defense is decent and length will allow him to have some success guarding KD. Carl Landy is a piece. They love him in Sac and traded away a top 10 scorer for him. He is a 4 man who is although small for his position, huge in heart and persistence. He is a fine tuned offensive post player and should easily back down Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka at will. Spencer Hawes was at the forefront of controversy. He complained about playing time, instead of coach suspending him for conduct detrimental to the team, he said here you go whitey let's see what you got. Spencer did not disappoint going for 31 points 7 assists, 21 rebounds and 3 blocks in the past 2 Sac Town wins. He is a perfect mesh with Landry and completes a solid big man combo. Bench play will not be too key as I suspect starters to log heavy minutes for both teams. OKC has a nice bench consisting of 3 players basically. Collison, Obaka and Maynor. Sac has talented big wings in Garcia, Nocioni, Ukoka and Green. Matchup wise the Kings are not too shabby compared to the Thunder and I really think that 11 is just too much here. Kings cover on the road.
SAC +11