Celtics (19-4) at Knicks (16-9) 12/15

[vinnie]

I have never jumped on the Semih bandwagon. I continue to feel that he needs to play in the NBDL for a season, but know I am in the minority. He does not know how to rebound and when he and Davis are on the court together, it is a disaster waiting to happen.

[NoraG1]

If those shots keep going in for the Knicks no amount of defense will help. It's called being on fire and some good luck

Eight offensive rebounds for the Knicks. That's about it.

Celtic do have things to clean up that being one of the main ones

[vinnie]

Rondo with one of the laziest, dumbest halves of basketball i've seen from him since his second year.

He has his reasons (p.f.' hammy etc) but I would say that he seems at times to play bored if not feeling the challenge.

I don't think his hamstrong had anything to do with passing up three wide open layups. Just dumb, that's all.

[mahonedog88]

Paiging Glen Davis:  It is time to get a rebound.  Just 1.  Something.

Semih is awful.  Man, I really wish the Celtics had Shaq for this game!

Agreed, Shaq would've made a big difference in this game I think.  With this style of play, the Knicks make a lot of shots, but they also miss alot of shots.  Shaq would've been key to not giving up 8 offensive rebounds in this half.

[vinnie]

Good to hear that JO says he is feeling good and will likely start practicing with the team on Friday. We need the O'Neals -- at least one of them playing every game.

[Change]

+/- differential

Garnett -11
Ray -10
Pierce -9
Rondo -9
Davis -2

Semih 0
Daniels +2
Nate +4

[vinnie]

+/- differential

Garnett -11
Ray -10
Pierce -9
Rondo -9
Davis -2

Semih 0
Daniels +2
Nate +4

Semih played the least minutes in the half besides Nate, so of course his plus minus would be better than the starters. I really think plus minus is a bogus statistic in basketball.

[jimmehx]

Amare can't get any hotter. We'll be fine!

[LooseCannon]

With Shaq, the Celtics could give some hard fouls to Stoudimire to knock him off his game.  Semih should take some lessons on how to give hard shots.

[kozlodoev]

+/- differential

Garnett -11
Ray -10
Pierce -9
Rondo -9
Davis -2

Semih 0
Daniels +2
Nate +4

This strongly correlates with the fact that the Knicks' bench played awful.

[Megatron]

We have no legit centers on this team right now. Our record right now is a tribute to how much talent we have on this team, when we are fully healthy I dont know one team that stands a chance.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

A player with a sore hamstring doesn't go hard for layups....Semih needs this seasoning, it is the best way to becoem an nba player, once sent to the minor league, no one EVER comes UP from there......Besides, think about playing him NOW, in case we need himlater in the year..remember last years mistakes...!

[vinnie]

We have no legit centers on this team right now. Our record right now is a tribute to how much talent we have on this team, when we are fully healthy I dont know one team that stands a chance.

The above is the TRUTH. Semih would not even be on the roster if our centers were not injured.

[LooseCannon]

The Celtics do seem to have problems with athletic teams that can nail a lot of threes.

Dear Lebron,

In the event of a Boston-Miami playoff series, your best hope is to start jacking up a lot of threes.

[vinnie]

A player with a sore hamstring doesn't go hard for layups....Semih needs this seasoning, it is the best way to becoem an nba player, once sent to the minor league, no one EVER comes UP from there......Besides, think about playing him NOW, in case we need himlater in the year..remember last years mistakes...!

Please don't make excuses for Rondo. Three times he was standing all alone at the rim and refused to lay the ball up. It was ridiculous.