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Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« on: February 07, 2009, 08:51:50 PM »

Online FLCeltsFan

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San Antonio Spurs (33-15) at Boston Celtics (42-10)
Sunday, February 8
1:00 PM ET
Game #53, Home Game #28
TV:   ABC 
TD Banknorth Garden




Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.6
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222


Probable Starters

PG:  Rajon Rondo PPG 11.2 RPG 5.00 APG 8.0 EFF + 18.34 
SG:  Ray Allen   PPG 18.0 RPG 3.40 APG 2.8 EFF + 17.06   
SF: Paul Pierce  PPG 18.8 RPG 5.70 APG 3.8 EFF + 18.55
PF:  Kevin Garnett   PPG 16.2 RPG 9.00 APG 2.7 EFF + 21.80   
C:    Kendrick Perkins  PPG 8.3 RPG 7.90 APG 1.1 EFF + 13.73 


Reserves

Tony Allen
Glen Davis
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell 
 
Injuries:
Brian Scalabrine (Concussion)  day to day




Coach: Gregg Popovich
Average Age: 29.6
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 217


Probable Starters

PG: Tony Parker  PPG 20.7 RPG 2.80 APG 6.6 EFF + 19.08
SG:  Roger Mason  PPG 11.9 RPG 3.20 APG 1.9 EFF + 10.58
SF:  Michael Finley  PPG 9.5 RPG 3.50 APG 1.5 EFF + 9.47
PF: Tim Duncan  PPG 20.6 RPG 10.40 APG 3.7 EFF + 25.38
C: Matt Bonner  PPG 8.0 RPG 4.70 APG 1.2 EFF + 11.36

Reserves
Fabricio Oberto
Malik Hairston
Ime Udoka
Jacques Vaughn
Kurt Thomas
Bruce Bowen
George Hill
Manu Ginobili
Ian Mahinmi

Injuries
Ian Mahinmi (Ankle) out

Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Tony Parker
Rondo has been compared to Parker by several writers but Parker has much more experience to draw on than Rondo does at this point in their careers.  Still, when Rondo is aggressive and focused, he can pretty much take on any point guard in the league, including Parker. 

vs
Kevin Garnett vs Tim Duncan
This is a matchup of the two best power forwards in the league.  This should be a real battle inside and will be exciting to watch. 

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen vs Roger Mason
This is a matchup between two of the top 3 point shooters in the NBA this season.  Roger Mason will be competing in the 3 point shooting contest on All Star weekend and his shooting 45% from beyond the arc.  Ray Allen is one of the best all time shooters from beyond the arc. 

TeamConnections

Doc Rivers played for the Spurs from '94-96
Kurt Thomas and Eddie House were teammates on the Suns
Jacques Vaughn and Brian Scalabrine were teammates in New Jersey
Jacques Vaughn played for Doc in Orlando
Tim Duncan was the prize in the 1997 draft and the Celtics had the best chance of landing him but ended up with the 3rd and 6th picks instead.

Game Notes

This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.  Last season the Celtics swept the Spurs for the first time since the 1988-89 season. 

Until March 17, 2007, the Celtics had an 18 game losing streak against the Spurs.  Until that Celtic victory, Paul Pierce had never beaten the Spurs and Tim Duncan had never lost to the Celtics. 

The Spurs hold a 38-34 edge in all times wins between the two teams but the Celtics have a 21-15 edge on their home court. 

The Spurs have been one of the hottest teams in the league in the new year.  They went 12-3 in January.  This will be the 3rd game of their 8 game annual rodeo trip that will span from Feb 2 through Feb 21. 

They lost their last game to the Nuggets, but in a curious move, Duncan, Finley, Parker and Ginobili all sat out the game.  The Spurs have been resting since Tuesday while the Celtics are coming off 2 tough games. 

Keys to the Game
Defense - The Spurs are a tough team both inside and out, and the Celtics will need to play tough team defense. 
Ball Movement - The Celtics have let their offense get stagnant at times and let the ball stop moving.  They will need to move the ball and find the open man.  They also need to get the ball up the court quickly instead of walking it up. 
Rebound The Celtics need to be aggressive on the boards to prevent second chance points by the Spurs.  They also need to work the offensive boards so as not to be one shot and done. 
Focus The Celtics need to focus for 48 minutes. They can't let the Spurs get out to a quick lead as it is tough to dig out of a hole against a team like the Spurs.  They also have to play hard until the end of the game and not let up as the Spurs will take advantage of any let up on the Celtics part. 

X-Factor
Rust vs Rest
The Spurs have been off since Tuesday and even in that game the Spurs rested their stars.  In the meantime, the Celtics have been playing some tough games in spite of being slowed by the flu and minor injuries.  The Spurs could be well rested or they could be rusty.  The Celtics need to jump out quickly to take advantage of any rust they may have at the beginning of the game. 

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2009, 09:37:57 PM »

Offline ManUp

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Rondo's going to be REALLY overrated after this game.

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2009, 09:40:12 PM »

Offline Edgar

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Rondo's going to be REALLY overrated after this game.
lol...

wow early game maybe I will have to hit a restaurant to watch it
thanks god is on ABC

Thanks fl
tp as always
great job.

nice rings too..........
Once a CrotorNat always a CROTORNAT  2 times CB draft Champion 2009-2012

Nice to be back!

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2009, 09:40:49 PM »

Offline adam8

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I am excited about this game and I hope it ends well so we can watch the Cavs and Fakers beat up on eachother. With a win the Cavs Fakers game will be fun to watch.

Go celts!

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2009, 09:46:41 PM »

Offline Scalablob990

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At this point i'm surprised TD and the rest of the spurs don't need scooters to get around on the court...that is an old team alright.
True Celtic = Leon Powe

Bring back the show!!!!

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2009, 10:38:32 PM »

Offline BigAlTheFuture

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Rondo's going to be REALLY overrated after this game.

I think Rondo would be motivated to play against Parker.
PHX Suns: Russell Westbrook, Chris Bosh, Tristan Thompson, Trevor Ariza, Tony Allen, Trey Lyles, Corey Brewer, Larry Nance Jr., Trey Burke, Troy Daniels, Joffrey Lauvergne, Justin Holiday, Mike Muscala, 14.6

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2009, 09:41:06 AM »

Online celticinorlando

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i think the spurs' style plays into boston's hands....if boston can get out and run then I think they will be fine

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2009, 09:46:22 AM »

Offline TatteredOnMySleeve

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All star break cant get here soon enough..
tony parker is a scorer, rondo does everything else better.
When you got it going, you got it going. I just keep my focus down the stretch. That's when I want the ball. I'm just not afraid to fail."-PaulPierce

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2009, 09:53:27 AM »

Offline ACF

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Tommy Point.
Again a matinee game which to me
is simply the best  :) GO C'S!!!

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2009, 10:09:49 AM »

Offline AustrianCeltic

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Nice post and pics as always, FL!

But I have a question regarding the C´s championship ring: maybe I´m having a blackout right now, but what does the numer "66" on it signify???

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2009, 10:37:35 AM »

Offline TatteredOnMySleeve

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Nice post and pics as always, FL!

But I have a question regarding the C´s championship ring: maybe I´m having a blackout right now, but what does the numer "66" on it signify???


66 regular season wins
When you got it going, you got it going. I just keep my focus down the stretch. That's when I want the ball. I'm just not afraid to fail."-PaulPierce

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2009, 10:40:28 AM »

Offline Mogreen17

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and 16 would signify our losses from last season.

TP?

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2009, 12:29:37 PM »

Offline greenwise

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Great game!

It will be the last home game in quite some time, so let's try to beat the Spurs :)

I will focusing on the matchup Parker-Rondo and Duncan-KG

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2009, 12:30:41 PM »

Offline RebusRankin

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This is a game where an early lead is vital. SA doesn't play well from behind.

Re: Spurs (33-15) at Celtics (42-10) 2/8
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2009, 12:55:16 PM »

Offline xmuscularghandix

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i love Bruce Bowen.