Author Topic: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18  (Read 25023 times)

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Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« on: February 03, 2018, 09:50:40 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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at
Portland Trailblazers (29-23) at Boston Celtics (38-15)
Sunday, February 4, 2018
12:00 PM ET
Game #53, Home Game #29
TV: NBCSB, NBCSNW, NBA-LP 751(DTV);  751(Xfinity)
Radio: WZLX 100.7,  Rip City Radio 620AM
TD Garden



Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard

vs
Terry Rozier vs Damian Lillard

Shooting Guard

vs
Jaylen Brown vs CJ McCollum

Small Forward
vs
Jayson Tatum vs Evan Turner

Power Forward
vs
Al Horford vs Al-Farouq Aminu

Center
vs
Aron Baynes vs Jusef Nurkic


Celtics Reserves
Abdel Nader
Semi Ojeleye
Daniel Theis
Guerschon Yabusele
Terry Rozier
Marcus Morris
Jarell Eddie
Kadeem Allen

Injuries
Gordon Hayward (ankle)  out
Marcus Smart (hand)  out
Shane Larkin (knee) out
Kyrie Irving (quad)  out
Marcus Morris (hip) out

Two Way Players

Jabari Bird
Kadeem Allen

Head Coach
Brad Stevens




Trailblazers Reserves
Wade Baldwin IV
Zach Collins
Pat Connaughton
Ed Davis
Maurice Harkless
Jake Layman
Meyers Leonard
Shabazz Napier
Caleb Swanigan
Noah Vonleh
CJ Wilcox

Injuries
Evan Turner (calf) probable
Shabazz Napier (toe) questionable
CJ Wilcox (knee)  out

Head Coach
Terry Stotts

Game Notes
The Celtics host the Trailblazers for the first of two games this season.  They will play one more time on Portland on March 23.  These two teams split the series last season 1-1 with each team winning on the road. 

The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have won 3 straight.  They are 20-8 at home and 14-5 vs Western Conference teams.   The Blazers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are coming off a loss.  They are 14-13 on the road and 13-9 vs Eastern Conference teams. 

The Celtics remain very short handed with Gordon Hayward (ankle), Kyrie Irving (quad), Shane Larkin (knee), Marcus Morris (hip),  and Marcus Smart (hand)  all out.  Greg Monroe may very well make his debut in this game for the Celtics.

For the Trailblazers, CJ Wilcox is out with a knee injury.  Evan Turner is probable with a calf injury.  Shabazz Napier is questionable with a toe injury.


Key Matchups

vs
Terry Rozier vs Damian Lillard
Terry Rozier will have his hands full guarding Damien Lillard who is averaging 25.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.  Lillard averaged 28 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in two games vs the Celtics last season.  Terry Rozier has had 2 big games in his first two starts.  He needs to continue to play well for the Celtics to have a chance in this one. 

vs
Jaylen Brown vs CJ McCollum
While Rozier is working to guard Lillard, Brown will have a challenge of his own trying to stay with CJ McCollum, who is averaging 21.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Last season McCollum averaged 27.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in two games vs the Celtics last season.   The Celtics will need to play tough defense to try to control Portland's high scoring back court duo. 

Keys to the Game
Defense -  Defense is a key to winning every game.  The Celtics have to continue to play tough defense in order to get a win,  especially playing short handed. 

Rebound - The Celtics must make an extra effort to grab rebounds in order to give themselves extra possessions as well as to keep the Blazers from cashing in with second chance points.   The Celtics simply must work harder on the boards if they want to win this one.   

Be Aggressive -  The Celtics have to be the team that works harder and wants the win more.  They have to dive for loose balls, go for every rebound and just hustle on every play.  They have to be aggressive in getting to the basket as well and not settle for outside shots, especially if they aren't falling.   They need to outwork the Blazers who should be feeling the effects of travel.

X-Factors
Next Man Up - The Celtics have played short handed two games in a row and players have stepped up to fill in the blanks left by injured teammates.  They need to continue to step up and play harder if they want to get a win. 

Home Game
- The Celtics are finishing up a 3 game home stand while the Trailblazers are starting a 2 game road trip.  The Celtics should get a boost from the home crowd. 


Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2018, 09:52:17 PM »

Offline KGs Knee

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Go C's!!!

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2018, 09:52:58 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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TP to KGs Knee for being the first to post in the game thread!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Celtics!!! 

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2018, 09:53:11 PM »

Offline RockinRyA

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please win this

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2018, 09:53:37 PM »

Offline jpotter33

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Irving and Morris haven't conclusively been ruled out yet, have they? Last I remember reading they were listed as questionable.

And as always, TP!

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2018, 09:55:15 PM »

Offline KGs Knee

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TP to KGs Knee for being the first to post in the game thread!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Celtics!!! 

LOL...apparently I'm on a roll.  Three times in like the last 4-5 games.

I think I might be spending too much time here.

TP FL for the game thread!

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2018, 09:58:05 PM »

Offline esel1000

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Irving and Morris haven't conclusively been ruled out yet, have they? Last I remember reading they were listed as questionable.

And as always, TP!

I think they have... any chance Moose is a go?

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2018, 10:03:28 PM »

Offline apc

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Can Rozier do it again?

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2018, 10:37:35 PM »

Online SparzWizard

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WIN TOMORROW BOSTON SPORTS TEAMS.


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Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2018, 10:38:23 PM »

Offline hodgy03038

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Go Celts & Go Patriots!!

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2018, 10:38:59 PM »

Offline liam

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Go Celtics. More of the young guys playing big!

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2018, 10:57:48 PM »

Offline cltc5

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Gym, Celtics, sleep, eat, super bowl.  Whatta day!

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2018, 11:13:10 PM »

Offline Phantom255x

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If a Celtics loss means a guaranteed Patriots win tomorrow night, then sorry guys, I have to make the sacrifice  :P
"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Re: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2018, 11:41:05 PM »

Offline ImShakHeIsShaq

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If a Celtics loss means a guaranteed Patriots win tomorrow night, then sorry guys, I have to make the sacrifice  :P


glad it doesn't work like that! screw the pats.
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: Trailblazers (29-23) at Celtics (38-15) Game #53 2/4/18
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2018, 11:48:33 PM »

Offline mr. dee

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When will Monroe suit up?