Author Topic: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14  (Read 36514 times)

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Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« on: February 11, 2014, 09:28:56 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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at
San Antonio Spurs (37-15) at Boston Celtics (19-34)
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #54 Home Game #28
TV: CSN-NE, FSSW, NBA-LP 755(DTV)/756(Xfinity)
Radio: WBZ, WOAI
TD Garden




PGSGSFPFC
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Gerald Wallace
SF: Jeff Green
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Jared Sullinger

Celtics Reserves

Kelly Olynyk
Jerryd Bayless
Joel Anthony
Chris Johnson
Kris Humphries

Injuries
Keith Bogans (personal) out
Vitor Faverani (knee) day to day
Avery Bradley (ankle) day to day
Brandon Bass (eye)  day to day




Probable Starters
PGSGSFPFC
PG: Nando DeColo
SG: Marco Belinelli
SF: Danny Green
PF: Tim Duncan
C: Boris Diaw

Spurs Reserves
Matt Bonner
Jeff Ayres
Cory Joseph
Aron Baynes

Injuries
Tiago Splitter (shin) out
Manu Ginobili (hamstring) out
Kawhi Leonard  (hand)  out
Tony Parker (back) out
Patrick Mills  (ankle) questionable

Game Notes

The Spurs visit the Celtics for their second and final meeting this season and their final game before the All Star break.  The Spurs won their first meeting 104-93 in Boston and the Celtics will be looking for some payback in this one. 

The Spurs have won 5 straight against the Celtics.  Both teams are 5-5 in their last 10 games.  The Celtics are 11-16 at home while the Spurs are 19-7 on the road.   

The Spurs are coming off a loss to the Pistons and have won 4 of their last 6 games.  The Celtics, after winning just 3 out of 19 games, have won 4 of their last 5 games.  They are coming off a win over the Bucks.

The Spurs have been battling injury problems and come into this game short handed with 3 players out and 2 more questionable.  The Celtics may be a little short handed themselves with Bass and Bradley both day to day  Rondo is expected back in the lineup after missing the last game for precautionary reasons because the games were back to back.

It appears that Parker will sit this one out and looking at their depth chart, I'm going to guess that they will start DeColo and Bellinelli in the back court.   

Key Matchups
vs
Brandon Bass vs Tim Duncan
If Brandon Bass can play in this game, he will have his hands full in this matchup. Duncan still brings a lot to the table, especially defensively. Duncan is averaging 15.4 points 10.0 rebounds and 2.08 blocks per game.  He is great at getting position for rebounds and tip ins and Bass and the other Celtics bigs need to concentrate on keeping him away from the basket.

vs
Jared Sullinger vs Boris Diaw
With so many out for the Spurs, it's hard to tell who will be starting where.  Regardless of who starts for the Spurs, though, Jared Sullinger is going to be key for the Celtics no matter who he is matched up with.

Keys to the Game
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics tend to have periods in the game where they can't make snots, let up on defense and turn the ball over.  They have to find a way to be more consistent and play strong for all 48 minutes. 

Rebound - Much of rebounding is effort and desire. The Celtics need to do both if they hope to beat a tough Spurs team and they will need to crash the boards to prevent second chance and fast break points from the Spurs.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be aggressive in going after loose balls, taking the ball to the hoop and playing in your face defense. When they get lazy and allow teams to beat them to loose balls and rebounds and when they settle for jumpers and don't go to the basket, they are very beatable. They have to be the more aggressive team from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

Run, Run, Run - The Celtics are not a great half court team. They have to run in order to get easy opportunities before the defenses set up, especially against a good defensive team like the Spurs. They need to run on every possession and take advantage of the Spurs age and injuries.

X-Factors
Injuries and Looking Ahead
Once again, injuries and who is not on the court could affect the outcome of this game.  Also, with the All Star break after this game, they may get caught looking ahead and not concentrating on this game.   
« Last Edit: February 12, 2014, 01:42:00 PM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2014, 10:02:10 PM »

Offline j804

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Rondo gets up for this game and we win by 10. Tankers cry.
"7ft PG. Rondo leaves and GUESS WHAT? We got a BIGGER point guard!"-Tommy on Olynyk


Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2014, 10:16:40 PM »

Offline Clench123

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I have a feeling we might pull off a win in this one but I'm hoping NOT.

I always said when I left the Celtics, I could not go to heaven, because that would
 be a step down. I am pure 100 percent Celtic. I think if you slashed my wrists, my
 blood would’ve been green.  -  Bill "Greatest of All Time" Russell

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2014, 11:19:23 PM »

Offline Fafnir

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Spurs have been running over bad teams all season, so I'm not optimistic about this game.

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2014, 12:04:51 AM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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I think we have a decent chance to will win a game here we really shouldn't. .


I think they will overlook the lowly Celtics and get beat.

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2014, 12:19:57 AM »

Online SparzWizard

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Spurs tear the Celtics apart. Tankers rejoice!


#JTJB (Just Trade Jaylen Brown)
#JFJM (Just Fire Joe Mazzulla)

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2014, 12:45:47 AM »

Offline D.o.s.

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Per the NBA tv ticker during the Blazers/Thunder game, Tony Parker's sitting out this one.
At least a goldfish with a Lincoln Log on its back goin' across your floor to your sock drawer has a miraculous connotation to it.

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2014, 11:31:14 AM »

Offline LatterDayCelticsfan

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As for My BOLD PREDICTIONS. Jared Sullinger grabs his 1st triple double. Jeff Green gets 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 blocks, while Brad Stevens gets a beer from Greg Poppovitch
Banner 18 please 😍

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2014, 07:13:33 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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We are doomed to lose this game without Brandon Bass

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2014, 07:21:35 PM »

Offline ImShakHeIsShaq

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We are doomed to lose this game without Brandon Bass

Bass is out?
It takes me 3hrs to get to Miami and 1hr to get to Orlando... but I *SPIT* on their NBA teams! "Bless God and bless the (Celts)"-Lady GaGa (she said gays but she really meant Celts)

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2014, 07:27:26 PM »

Offline Nerf DPOY

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Anybody else hear Tommy in the pre-game say something to the effect of  "All these people sitting in their living rooms talking about trading guys like they're playing Monopoly....and then our friends in the media drumming up these trades to get people to call in their crappy talk shows....Jeff Green is a good player!!...."

I didn't get it word for word but it was my favorite pre-game moment in recent memory.

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2014, 07:28:31 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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We are doomed to lose this game without Brandon Bass

Bass is out?

Thought I read that somewhere ...?

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2014, 07:33:46 PM »

Offline ImShakHeIsShaq

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Anybody else hear Tommy in the pre-game say something to the effect of  "All these people sitting in their living rooms talking about trading guys like they're playing Monopoly....and then our friends in the media drumming up these trades to get people to call in their crappy talk shows....Jeff Green is a good player!!...."

I didn't get it word for word but it was my favorite pre-game moment in recent memory.

No but I feel Tommy on that.
It takes me 3hrs to get to Miami and 1hr to get to Orlando... but I *SPIT* on their NBA teams! "Bless God and bless the (Celts)"-Lady GaGa (she said gays but she really meant Celts)

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2014, 07:42:33 PM »

Offline SCeltic34

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Bass gets abused twice in a row by Diaw.

Re: Spurs (37-15) at Celtics (19-34) Game #54 2/12/14
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2014, 07:43:54 PM »

Online hwangjini_1

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looks like a good game to watch "the kids develop."  ;D

regardless..... goooooo celtics!!!
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