ClutchCity.net Game Thread: Celtics @ Rockets 1/13/2003

I think we should at least watch some Celtics games before make any prediction. It's called know you opponent.

Does anyone know that Pierce leads the league in FT attempts? This guy goes to the basket hard and often. With the sorry on ball defense the Rockets have at 3, I can see Yao and EG get into foul trouble quickly when challenge Pierce's shots.

All in all, this is a hard game to predict. The Celtics don't have a strong inside presence, but their outside shooting can go crazy. If the Rockets can attack the inside with EG and Yao early and often, put Walker into foul trouble, then Pierce alone cannot win the ball game for the Celtics.

 

Right, and Acie Earl is at least on the same level as Yao

Delk may be out, but look out for J.R. Bremer. He does everything you can ask out of a rookie point-guard: he can hit the open three on the elbows, knows when to penetrate and finish (Shammond Williams on the other hand...) won't get beat of the drive and take charges. He has a future in the league, unlike Omar Cook.

Kedrick Brown blocked one of Tim Duncan's shots last night, and came up with two loose balls when the Celtics badly needed another look. Look to see him get 20-25 minutes and provide huge energy off the bench.

Pierce has been struggling with his shot for most of the season (but is still playing the best basketball of his career in my opinion, especially when it comes to finding the open man) His release was off for the first half of last nights game, but got it back. However on the drive he has been trying to shoot on the way down which shows fatigue. Shouldn't have gone to the worlds. At least he doesn't flail his arms like Kobe Bryant. He is finally getting respect from the officials (at least when he has the ball,) which is a good thing.

Walker needs to use his triple-threat moves more in the low-post (to create space for himself and free his shooting hand) instead of forcing it in a defenders face (and so should Vin Baker I might add.) A few weeks ago he was blocked on two straight possessions by Lorenzen Wright. Also, when he comes up with a turnover, Walker needs to look up. Pierce is always thirty feet ahead of the pressure. Walker + McCarty can outrun anyone in the Rocket's frontcourt, so look to see lots of points in transition.

I'm curious as to hearing what Heinsohn has to say about Yao

 

keys to winning 1. contain their points guards. williams and delk are playing well and both can shoot the three. this team lives and dies by the three so kep them in check. 2. someone said earlier they are afraid of walker lighting it up. i don't care if he does.what makes walker a good player is his ability to get his teammates involved. if he's loking for his own shot tonight he could take 25 shots maybe even 10 being three's. very seldom does he have a good shooting night. 3. put some drugs in pierce's gatorade.

 

I could be mistaken, but I believe DishTV/NBA is having free previews this week and the Boston Rockets game is on.;

 

There is a free preview of NBA League on direct Tv Tonight

 

I remember the last time we played the Celtics. It was during that transition time when Griff and Thomas were trying to start at the same time.

Jeeze times have changed. Kenny is on another team, and Griff is trying to state his case for why he should be starting over Mo.

 

I think he meant Tony "Petite" Battie.

 

If Tmo's taking EG's place, and MoTay is out, who's gonna back up the 4 spot? Will this be Hawkins, while Boki backs up the 3 spot?

Is it too late for the Celtics game to take Collier off the IL to have him back up the 5, so Cato can back up the 4?

Or, since the Celts don't really have much size anyway, will we stick with Hawkins as the reserve 4? Am I forgetting someone here?

 

Yahoo is listing the score as Rockets 2 Boston 0 even though the game doesn't even start for another 7 minutes! Do they know something we don't?

Yahoooooo!!

 

That's one helluva tape delay!

 

Tom Heinsohn seems to like Yao Ming very much.

 

As much as everybody wants to see Nachbar play (I for one wouldn't mind seeing him play a few minutes, not more than 8 though, depending on the game) I doubt he'll see any time. With TMo being the backup 4 or perhaps even the starting 4, Posey will most likely start at the 3, with Pierce as his defensive assignment. Hawkins most likely will be his backup. This allows for two defensive minded players on Pierce (and this guy is O like crazy as well as great in drawing fouls). Our O will have to rely on Yao, Francis and Mobley. Probably even more on Francis and Mobley since Yao will probly not play as much or as hard to avoid further injury. The 4 spot though has me slightly mystified, who is going to be TMo's backup? Will Hawkins or Posey backup the 4 spot as well as play the 3 spot? Will Cato come in as a 4? Maybe we'll finally see the long awaited experiment of Cato and Yao. But I don't really want to see Cato at the 4.. he seems to be racking up fouls in the little time that he plays and he needs to be available and fresh as Yao's backup. He'll get more minutes than he's gotten lately today. If EG is starting, most of these q's will be moot.

 

Ok I just heard that Rice was placed on the injured list...so does anyone know the extent of his injury? Was he placed on the IL for the min number of games to just rest his shoulder or is it something more serious?

 

is yao still in the starting lineup?

 

does anyone notice Celts away have 2 -3 guys on Yao?

 

Posey is playing..wow.. but please get yao involved so he can show battie whose the boss

 

It should be obvious to the league now, that Yao doesn't get the ball when he's fronted. Way to go Rox.

At least we are playing great! Go Posey and Griff!

 

This Game will be forever remembered as the grape juice and Beam game. That is what happens when you run out of coke, absolutely terrible. I should have gone straight. Hopefully the game will keep me in good spirits.

 

You know until Hawkins just got in the game i forgot he was on the team. The first couple of possesions the celts did a good job of deny Yao the ball.

 

wow ,yao 've got 3 blocks