at
Philadelphia 76ers (6-4, 2-2) at Boston Celtics (6-4,2-2)
Monday, May 21, 2012
7:00 PM ET
Playoff Game #11, Home Game #6
TV: TNT
Radio: WEEI, 97.5 The Fanatic
TD GardenProbable Starters PG: Rajon Rondo ......................................
SG: Avery Bradley
C: Kevin Garnett
SF: Paul Pierce .......................................
PF: Brandon Bass
Coach: Doc Rivers
Celtics ReservesGreg Stiemsma
JaJuan Johnson
E'Twaun Moore
Marquis Daniels
Sasha Pavlovic
Ray Allen
Keyon Dooling
Ryan Hollins
Mickael Pietrus
InjuredPaul Pierce (knee) probable
Mickael Pietrus (hamstring) probable
Avery Bradley (shoulder) probable (but game time decision)
Ray Allen (ankle) probable
Greg Stiemsma (feet) probable
Probable Starters PG: Jrue Holiday ....................................
SG: Evan Turner
C: Spencer Hawes
SF: Andre Iguodala ......................................
PF: Elton Brand
Sixers Reserves Thaddeus Young
Sam Young
Nikola Vucevic
Lou Williams
Tony Battie
Craig Brackins
Lavoy Allen
Jodie Meeks
Craig Brackens
Injuries None
Key Matchups vs
Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala
Both of these players have been up and down in the series. It seems that when Iguodala has a big game, Pierce struggles and when Pierce has a big game the Iguodala struggles. The Celtics need a big game out of their Captain if they want to win this game.
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jrue Holiday
As has been the case so many times, as Rondo goes, so go the Celtics. When Rondo is aggressive the Celtics seem to click on all cylinders. When he is passive, they struggle to score and seem to lapse into trying to do too much as individuals instead of playing team balls. They will need him to be aggressive and to set the pace for the game. Holiday has been playing very well for the Sixers and so Rondo will need to defend well, along with running the offense effectively.
Honorable Mention Kevin Garnett vs Spencer Hawes
KG has been on another level in these playoffs but struggled in the last game. Whether it was fatigue or just an off game, the Celtics need KG to be aggressive on both ends of the court. KG's defense and rebounding are huge for the Celtics.
Key Off the Bench Ray Allen has been playing through pain and has struggled on both ends of the court. With Avery Bradley also struggling with a shoulder injury, the Celtics need Ray to somehow contribute more.
Michael Pietrus has been hitting some big shots as well as playing great defense. Hopefully he can continue to contribute and give the Celtics quality minutes off the bench so Doc can rest his starters.
Lou Williams gives the Sixers a boost off the bench scoring almost 13 points per game. He came up really big for the Sixers in their come back win in game 4. Williams can give the Sixers a big boost, or he can shoot them out of the game.
Lavoy Allen has been designated as the KG stopper for the Sixers and he has done a good job of it. He has also hit some big shots for them and the Celtics need to go at Allen early to try to get him into foul trouble.
Keys to the Game Defense - As always, defense is key to winning. Period. The Celtics must play tough in your face defense from start to finish. They can't let themselves get caught up in a shoot out and must concentrate on getting stops. The offense feeds off the defense and so tough defense is absolutely the key to a win and the series. The Celtics let their defense slip in game 4, which allowed the Sixers to make a big run to win the game.
Rebound - The Sixers are a good rebounding team The Celtics can be a good rebounding team when they decide to put out the effort to do so. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics have got to crash the boards as a team. The team that wins the rebounding battle will more than likely will win the war.
Take Care of the Ball - The Celtics tend to turn the ball over way too much. The Celtics need to keep their focus and make smart passes and avoide the costly turnovers that almost always lead to a score for the Sixers. In game 4, they turned the ball over 17 times and those turnovers were a big reason for the Sixers being able to make the run to win the game.
Bench Play - The Celtics need to get quality minutes from their bench. With the injuries and fatigue becoming a factor as they move further into the playoffs, They have to find a way to rest their starters without giving up a lead or digging a hole. The Celtics bench was outscored 44-12 in game 4. The reserves need to contribute more.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to stay aggressive. They have to be more aggressive going to the hoop and not settling for outside shots. They have to be aggressive on defense, in going after loose balls, and in going after rebounds. They seem to lapse into being passive and allowing the Sixers to be the aggressors and the more aggressive team is more than likely going to get the win.
Game Notes The Celtics have to be kicking themselves for giving up an 18 point lead in game 4. This could be the close out game and they could be looking forward to getting some rest before the next series, especially with the Heat series now also tied at 2. The Celtics are now in for a fight to win the next 2 out of 3.
The Celtics can't blame anyone except themselves for that loss. They got complacent and eased up on their defense. They also allowed the Sixers to crash the boards and get second chance points. They got sloppy with the ball and turned it over, allowing the Sixers to get fast break points.
The Celtics must come out focused and stay focused throughout the game. They have to avoid the let downs that have plagued them so far in this series and play team ball from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Most of all, they can't let up on defense.
Nagging injuries to Pierce, Allen, Bradley, Stiemsma, and Pietrus have slowed them down. The most troubling is Bradley who has a recurring shoulder injury that is limiting his ability to score. He is still effective on defense but hasn't been able to hit his shots or cut to the basket, which made him so effective before the injury. Paul Pierce seems to be playing well in spite of the injury and hopefully that will continue in this game. Ray Allen seems to struggle the most, even missing free throws, which usually are automatic for him.
The Celtics should be dominating this series but they aren't mostly because they have not been playing good basketball. In the one game they actually played hard and seemed focused, they got a blow out win. Let's hope that same focused team comes out in this one.
X-FactorFocus, Officiating, and Home Court
The Celtics need to stay focused and not let up in this game. Whether we like it or not, officiating does have an effect on the games. If the officiating is bad, the Celtics must play through it and not allow it to take them out of the game. And finally, the Celtics have home court and hopefully they will get a boost from the home crowd. Be very loud Celtics fans!!!