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Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« on: February 16, 2009, 04:38:52 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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  at 
Boston Celtics (44-11) at Utah Jazz (31-23)
Thursday, February 19
10:30 PM ET
Game #56, Road Game #28
TV:  TNT, CSN HD
Energy Solutions Arena

Few teams in the NBA can say that they have had the same amount of success as the Utah Jazz have had at Energy Solution Arena. Since the team’s move to this arena more than 15 years ago, the Jazz have had only one losing season. After the Jazz moved from New Orleans after the 1978-79 season they began playing at the Salt Palace. For just over a decade they played at the 12,0000 seat arena. As the 1990s approached, a new modern arena with more seats was needed for the Jazz. Owner of the team, Larry Miller, funded the $93 million cost to construct a new arena. 
Construction began in May 1990 and was completed in record time, 17 months later. Originally known as the Delta Center, the Jazz played their first game at the arena on October 4, 1991. Located on the western part of downtown Salt Lake City, the arena has a seating capacity of 19,911 that includes 668 club seats and 56 luxury suites. In August 1999, the roof was significantly damaged by a tornado, causing $3.75 million in damage. Energy Solutions bought the naming rights to the arena in November 2006, thus it is known as Energy Solutions Arena. The Utah Jazz have been one of the best teams in the NBA while playing at Energy Solutions Arena, appearing in the playoffs 13 times in 16 years.




Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222


Probable Starters

PG:   Rajon Rondo  PPG 11.2 RPG 5.40 APG 8.5 EFF + 18.85
SG:   Ray Allen  PPG 17.9 RPG 3.30 APG 2.8 EFF + 16.65
SF:    Paul Pierce PPG 19.9 RPG 5.70 APG 3.8 EFF + 19.42
PF:    Kevin Garnett PPG 16.4 RPG 8.90 APG 2.7 EFF + 21.90
C:     Kendrick Perkins PPG 8.0 RPG 7.90 APG 1.1 EFF + 13.71

Reserves
Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Bill Walker
JR Giddens

Injuries:
Brian Scalabrine (concussion) will play
Tony Allen (thumb)  Out




Coach: Jerry Sloan
Average Age: 25.6
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 233

 

PG   Deron Williams  PPG 19.2 RPG 2.90 APG 10.0 EFF + 21.31
SG:  Ronnie Brewer  PPG 13.3 RPG 3.50 APG 2.2 EFF + 12.94
SF    CJ Miles   PPG 9.9 RPG 2.50 APG 1.6 EFF + 9.19
PF    Paul Millsap  PPG 14.7 RPG 9.20 APG 2.2 EFF + 20.00
C     Mehmet Okur  PPG 17.8 RPG 8.40 APG 1.8 EFF + 20.13

Reserves
Andrei Kirilenko
Kyle Korver
Matt Harpring
Brevin Knight
Kosta Koufos
Ronnie Price
Carlos Boozer
Jarron Collins
Kyrylo Fesenko
Morris Almond

Injuries
Carlos Boozer (knee)  out
Andrei Kirilenko (ankle)  Will play
Brevin Knight (quad)  out
Mehmet Okur (flu like symptoms) probable

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Deron Williams
Rondo has yet another tough matchup with one of the top young PG's in the league.  Last season, Williams averaged 27 points and 9.5 assists in the two games against the Celtics.   In the first game between these two PGs Rondo came out on top with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists  while Williams finished with 15 points and 7 assists. Williams is strong and quick and Rondo will need to be aggressive on both ends to get the better of this matchup on the road.

  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Mehmet Okur
Okur is one of those centers who could give Perk a hard time since he can stop outside the arc and hit the shot rather than taking it inside.  Okur is shooting 42% from 3 point range and we may see KG covering him on the perimeter.   Okur missed Tuesday night's win over Memphis with flu like symptoms but is expected to play in this game.   

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Paul Millsap
In the last meeting between these two teams, Millsap had a career night with 32 points and 10 rebounds.  The combination of Perk and KG will need to defend him better in this game. 

Connections
Matt Harpring played for Doc in Orlando
Danny Ainge was a former BYU star
The Celtics and Jazz share the Flash as their D-League team

Game Notes
These two teams split the series last season with the Celtics winning in Utah and the Jazz winning in Boston.  The Jazz snapped a 10 game win streak for the Celtics and they were the first Western team to beat the Celtics at home. 

The Jazz are tough to beat in their building and are 21-6 at home while the Celtics are 20-7 on the road.  The Jazz are 9-12 against Eastern Conference teams while the Celtics are 14-7 against the West.  The Jazz are 5-5 in their last 10 games while the Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10.  The Jazz beat the Lakers in their last game before the break.   

X-Factor
Rust vs Rest
The Jazz get back into action on Tuesday while this Thursday game will be the first for the Celtics since before the break.  The Celtics will have a chance to practice in Utah on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The Celtics are 13-0 when playing after at least 2 days off.  They should be well rested and ready to take on the Jazz, hopefully without any rust from the All Star break.   
« Last Edit: February 19, 2009, 06:36:12 PM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (30-23) 2/19
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2009, 05:24:56 PM »

Offline RAcker

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Glad to see the next game talked about so early.  I didn't know what I'd do for 3 days.  Although every game in this stretch is winnable (as all of our games are IMO), they are also dangerous for us coming off of our biggest break (rest) of the season.  We have to remember that Utah just beat the Lakers at home prior to the All Star break.  Despite their injuries, the Jazz are playing well with Williams back in the saddle.

Phoenix and Denver are always going to be tough, especially in a back to back, but at least we have some practice days at this point (we get two more after Thursday).  We may need them even more if Danny brings in any fresh bodies.  Let's just hope the boys are chilling in Orem or the surrounding area with the D-Leaguers (Giddens) and getting some work done starting tomorrow.

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2009, 10:20:44 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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This game is a little worrisome.  The Celtics haven't played in a week and the Jazz played on Tuesday.  On the other hand, the Celtics are well rested.   

There may be a bit of a distraction depending on what happens at the trade deadline today.  Will the Celtics be short handed because Danny traded a couple of players?  With Danny saying that there is nothing going on, it makes me think he has something going on.  When he traded for Wally, he was on CSN a couple hours before saying that there was absolutely nothing in the works and two hours later the trade was announced.  So Danny saying there is nothing going on means nothing.  Today is going to be an anxious one for me. 

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2009, 10:23:15 AM »

Offline ACF

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Tommy Point.

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2009, 10:49:57 AM »

Offline xmuscularghandix

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TP FL

also hope that we still have all our guys, and sign Joe Smith soon.

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2009, 11:19:21 AM »

Offline RAcker

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TP FL

also hope that we still have all our guys, and sign Joe Smith soon.
Even POB?

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2009, 11:21:01 AM »

Offline wdleehi

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I hate these late games. 


By the time it starts, I will have been up 18 hours today.

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2009, 11:24:52 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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I hate these late games. 


By the time it starts, I will have been up 18 hours today.

Yeah, I hate the late games too.  I have to get up at 5 to get the kids off to school and I don't do well on less than 5 hours sleep.  Going to be a tough one. 

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2009, 11:29:23 AM »

Offline Redz

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TP to FL for the NBA "Stool Sample" (sorry, that was a bad one by me  :-[ )

Always look forward to the oddball logo item part of the breakdown ;)
Yup

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2009, 11:32:20 AM »

Offline Redz

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I hate these late games. 


By the time it starts, I will have been up 18 hours today.

Yeah, I hate the late games too.  I have to get up at 5 to get the kids off to school and I don't do well on less than 5 hours sleep.  Going to be a tough one. 

I usually make it til halftime then go to bed.  AT which point I end lying there wondering why I can't fall asleep.  Then I realize it's because the game is going on and I'm missing it, so I drag myself out of bed and watch the 4th quarter (which can be really aggravating when the team plays like it did in Golden State or make me really glad I got out of bed like in Dallas last week)
Yup

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2009, 12:00:30 PM »

Offline BudweiserCeltic

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With TA's injury and Cassell being traded, is Giddens still on the D-League or has he been called up? I assume he's still down there since I haven't heard anything.

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2009, 12:03:55 PM »

Offline cordobes

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With TA's injury and Cassell being traded, is Giddens still on the D-League or has he been called up? I assume he's still down there since I haven't heard anything.

He's still there and Ainge said he's not planning to call him up. Very telling, btw...

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2009, 12:41:02 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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TP to FL for the NBA "Stool Sample" (sorry, that was a bad one by me  :-[ )

Always look forward to the oddball logo item part of the breakdown ;)

Redz... TP for the laugh....  I am sitting here anxiously reading all the trade updates and was very tense over the Shaq to Cleveland rumors and with that one comment, you made my day!    Thanks and a TP for you!

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2009, 12:41:41 PM »

Offline crownsy

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if im lucky, i might see the first half of this game before i have to turn in.

Screw you utah.
“I will hurt you for this. A day will come when you think you’re safe and happy and your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth. And you will know the debt is paid.” – Tyrion

Re: Celtics (44-11) at Jazz (31-23) 2/19
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2009, 04:45:13 PM »

Offline Celtic

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I love the late games, especially the late night wins... like tonight.