Bobcats (28-30) at Celtics (37-21) 3/3

[Mr October]

I'm hoping our "fast starts" will become "dominating starts" as the team gets healthier, and they start to trust the health of their teammates -- being able to execute the plays and defense without having to compensate for the injuries of their teammates. 

EDIT:  fewer lackadaisical plays would help too.   

Agreed. They're looking good so far!

[Jon]

While Ray's obviously come out because of the two fouls, this would be the ideal time to take him out anyway most games.  In games that Ray didn't have two fouls, he could come back in with 2 minutes left to give PP a blow, avoiding the need for TA altogether.  

[RJ87]

keep noticing over the past 2 games that KG is being REALLY mindful landing on the left leg and avoiding his right knee... I'm not saying that its hurt, but it doesn't exactly make me confident.

[liam]

Felton walked!

[Jon]

And here again, is where (at least in the playoffs) Ray could come back in after a 3 minute blow on the bench for PP, cutting TA out of the picture altogether.  

[Who]

Bobcats keep hanging around. Just like the Pistons.

Going to be another one of those games.

At least the Bobcats aren't playing too well. That bodes well for Boston.

[fairweatherfan]

And here again, is where (at least in the playoffs) Ray could come back in after a 3 minute blow on the bench for PP, cutting TA out of the picture altogether.  

Agree, but with 2 fouls against a team with a couple of elite wings, I wouldn't.  Don't mind it here but I'd like to see it going ahead.

[liam]

And here again, is where (at least in the playoffs) Ray could come back in after a 3 minute blow on the bench for PP, cutting TA out of the picture altogether.  

If we sign Finley no more TA.

[barefacedmonk]

keep noticing over the past 2 games that KG is being REALLY mindful landing on the left leg and avoiding his right knee... I'm not saying that its hurt, but it doesn't exactly make me confident.

Maybe he is just being cautious. We finally have our team at full strength...don't want another injury.

[liam]

Travel!

[ManUp]

Wow, Thomas was building a fort down there.

[Who]

Garnett has not been looking good on those pick and rolls defensively recently. Stationary.

[Jon]

And here again, is where (at least in the playoffs) Ray could come back in after a 3 minute blow on the bench for PP, cutting TA out of the picture altogether.  

Agree, but with 2 fouls against a team with a couple of elite wings, I wouldn't.  Don't mind it here but I'd like to see it going ahead.

Absolutely.  Wasn't suggesting tonight.  But in the playoffs, minimizing the need for TA would be nice.  Plus, the fewer minutes TA gets at the 2, the more minutes we can play with the Rondo/Nate combo on the floor at the same time.  Ideally, unless there's foul trouble or a particular reason why Nate/Rondo really can't play the 2, I'd really like to see pretty much all the 1-3 backup minutes played by Nate and Marquis.  

[PLamb]

What's been bugging me about the C's over the last two months is the lack of sustained runs

You just don't see them going on sustained 10-12-14 point runs and then not IMMEDIATELY giving it back

Just like tonight the C's play well, go on a 5-7-9 point run and then IMMEDIATELY give back 6-8-20 points for a net sum of +1,0 or -1 or worse

They just can't seem to get on that extended run to get this up into the 15-20 point lead that I think would be important mentally for this team to get and try to hold

[barefacedmonk]

Wow, Thomas was building a fort down there.

Dick Bavetta is officiating...unfortunately for us, he always lives up to his name