Blazers (26-17) at Celtics (27-13) 1/22

[gar]

Not to worry, cavalry is on the horizon. Portland is always a tough team to measure; however am less concerned about recent losses than about mileage on Paul and Ray as the season goes on.

Would be nice to have a win.

However, would be nicer to have every one healthy and rested. Not sure we want first place or second place - Maybe third is better. Depends on match-ups and I would rather face Orlando than Atlanta in the first round. So is totally up in the air at this point. Main thing is getting healthy, being rested and not panicking.

Ray needs to lighten up. He seems to pride himself on the number of minutes he plays and on his conditioning. This is where Doc needs to show some leadership.

[celticinorlando]

not to be a downer but this is a game boston should and needs to win: no outlaw, oden, roy, prisbylla.....KG back AT HOME after an bad loss.

[jadams5214]

KG is back --- at least we hope so.

Winning or losing this game tonight is of little importance.  The C's recent play has taken them back to the drawing board, and hopefully the return of KG will help get the team back to playing solid basketball.

If the Celtics win it doesn't mean things are magically cured and all the past problems have suddenly disappeared.  It is quite likely that the Celtics will play well tonight, with the home crowd and KG returning providing a huge lift.  Keep in mind that it's common when a player comes back from injury, there is a big trade, or a new coach is hired that teams tend to play well initially.  

If the Celtics lose it also doesn't mean KG returning is of no help.  The C's will need time to readjust to his presence and get back to playing championship level basketball.

However just a look at the Blazers should put into perspective the injuries the C's have had.  Tonight the Blazers will be without their top TWO centers in Oden and Pryzbilla, and their top scorer and leader in Brandon Roy.  Add to that Batum being out and a top reserve in Travis Outlaw and it's easy to see what a team truly depleted by injuries looks like.  Not to mention Steve Blake and Rudy Fernandez also missing time this season.

Despite having an incredible number of injuries to key players in relation to the Celtics, Portland is only a couple of games behind them in record.  This team should serve as a good example of overcoming monumental injuries to play well instead of using them as excuses.

Tonight starts a new chapter for this season.  Hopefully KG will be healthy and help the Celtics change the course of their recent lackluster play.

The season begins anew TONIGHT...

[jadams5214]

not to be a downer but this is a game boston should and needs to win: no outlaw, oden, roy, prisbylla.....KG back AT HOME after an bad loss.

They should be able to beat a Portland team decimated by injuries at home with or without KG.  However that's what we said about beating Chicago at home and Detroit the other night and look how that turned out.

[Drucci]

Doc just confirmed KG will start tonight! Now I can be truly relieved.

Edit : Doc said there won't be any minutes restriction for KG.

[celticinorlando]

first good news in some time....lets go Cs

[jadams5214]

No matter that the Celtics SHOULD be playing better basketball at home, SHOULD easily beat the bottom teams of the league and SHOULD play better in the second halves of games, it simply hasn't happened.

Whether it's a justifiable reason or not, most of the C's struggles has been blamed on the absence of KG.  This team has been unable to overcome his injury and appears incapable of playing solid basketball without him for anything longer than one half of games.

All of the excuses for the C's poor play are gone except for not having KG.  Here's hoping he returns healthy, fired up and ready to lead the Celtics back to playing championship level basketball because if not this season has little chance of turning out to be a successful one...

GO CELTICS

[Drucci]

KG back, Tommy and Mike back on the League Pass... I predict a good night.

[celticinorlando]

KG back, Tommy and Mike back on the League Pass... I predict a good night.

yessir....good to hear the Cs announcers

[Kiorrik]

I'll be watching from the couch. Had a night out and feel like couch-riding this one out.

Also, got a couple of friends staying over that are still out in town (I live 1 minute away from the bar they're at) and when they're "done" they'll drop in so I'll have to stay awake.

Blabla, in short: LETS GO CELTICS!!!1

[BASS_THUMPER]

sheed needs to come off the bench strong..

[celticinorlando]

i am ready for some good celtics ball

[Donoghus]

Just a last second reminder before tip-off about conduct in the game thread.  I hope people have had time to take a look at this and we don't have any problems.  Thanks.

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=34423.msg659424#msg659424

[Donoghus]

I wonder what KG's rust level will be. 

[jdpapa3]

Ah, I have seen the light to our bad home play recently. Our new intro is horrendous. Bring back the "requiem" theme song. The new one is crap. I went to a game recently and it didn't even pump me up. And this Ozzy crap must not get the players going. Lebron seems like he can hand pick the songs his arena plays.

I'm all for whatever the players want.