SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Raj Prashad

Celtics vs. Hawks preview: Boston eyes statement game in Atlanta

2013-01-05T13:01:37Z

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers flipped around the lineup Friday, inserting Brandon Bass and sending 7-foot veteran Jason Collins to the bench.

And it worked like magic, as the Celtics looked more like the team that took the Miami Heat to seven games in last year's Eastern Conference Finals and much less like the team that had lost the last four-consecutive games and eight of their last 10.

Boston will be faced with a much tougher task Saturday, though, when they travel to match up with the No. 3 seeded Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks, who lost Friday to the Detroit Pistons, are following a lose-win-lose pattern after being blown out by the Houston Rockets and running past the New Orleans Hornets.

This Atlanta squad looks drastically different than the one that fell to the Celtics in six games last season. After trading Joe Johnson over the offseason and acquiring Kyle Korver, the Hawks are a more uniform team, with complimentary pieces that make the core of Josh Smith, Al Horford and Jeff Teague that much more cohesive.

Smith is averaging 16.9 points per game to lead the revamped Hawks. Horford, in his first full season back after missing much of 2011-12, is averaging 16 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as well.

Boston will be hard-pressed to match up with the towering duo as they field Kevin Garnett and Bass.

The Celtics will have the advantage at the small forward and point guard positions, though. Paul Pierce (19.8 points per game) and Rajon Rondo (11.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game) will play across the line from Teague and Korver in a highly competitive contest from the Highlight Factory in Atlanta at 7:00 pm ET, Saturday night.

Next Game

Boston Celtics
@ Atlanta Hawks

Saturday, Jan 5, 2013, 7:00 PM EST
Philips Arena

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For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, Celtics Blog.

Celtics vs. Pacers final score: Boston runs through Indy to snap skid, 94-75

2013-01-05T03:29:06Z

Rajon Rondo had 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds as the Boston Celtics snapped a four-game losing streak, beating the Indiana Pacers, 94-75, Friday from TD Garden in Boston, MA.

Boston head coach Doc Rivers needed to do something to shake up the slumping Celtics.

So he went back to what got them to the NBA Playoffs last season, a starting lineup including Brandon Bass, not Jason Collins.

Bass responded by grabbing four rebounds and blocking two shots in the first quarter, as the Celtics trailed Indiana 16-15 after one.

Led by Rondo, the Celtics used a 17-3 run to blow through the second quarter and take a huge 13-point lead. Throughout the quarter, tight defense, crisp rotations and on-ball tenacity held Indiana in check and allowed the Celtics to take a 47-35 lead into the half.

Rondo had 10 in the second alone, as he was aggressive from the opening tip and Courtney Lee was possibly the most surprising Celtic in the quarter. Lee didn't show much on the stat sheet, but he played great defense and was a solid pairing with Avery Bradley while on the floor.

Other than a Jeff Green layup and a Jason Terry free throw, every point scored in the third quarter was from one of the core four– Paul Pierce, Bradley, Rondo or Kevin Garnett– as the Celtics pushed their lead even further, closing out the third leading 69-51.

For the second-straight quarter, Boston would extend their lead to over 20, while forcing turnovers on defense and sprinting to the ball as it changed hands.

At the five minute mark, with the game well out of hand, the Celtics were able to pull most of their starters and enjoy Gino Time.

Pierce scored 13 and grabbed six rebounds, while Garnett notched 18 points to tie Rondo for a team-high on the evening. Lee scored 13 points off the bench and chipped in five rebounds over 22 minutes.

Hansbrough scored 19 points off the bench to lead the Pacers.

Indiana shot just 31 percent from the field, as the Celtics connected on 44 percent of their attempts.

Garnett was ejected in the fourth quarter for a questionable flagrant two, when he slapped Tyler Hansbrough in the face in an attempt to swipe the ball from him.

Boston will travel to Philips Arena Saturday to match up with Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks at 7:00 pm ET.

FINAL 01.04.2012	1	2	3	4	Total
Indiana Pacers	16	19	16	24	75
Boston Celtics	15	32	22	25	94

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Celtics vs. Pacers preview: Boston looks to end losing streak Friday

2013-01-04T15:40:10Z

It was clear Wednesday, in the Boston Celtics' loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, that Avery Bradley's return wouldn't fix everything that is wrong with the currently constructed team.

While there was some good, like Bradley's stout on-ball defense and backdoor cuts for an easy two points, there was also so much bad. The team defense didn't pick up like many expected them to and a hobbled Rajon Rondo means a slumping offense.

Rondo is still plagued by a hip pointer, which has left him struggling up and down the court over the past week. And Friday, they'll face off against the red-hot Indiana Pacers, who have won nine of their last 11 games, all without star forward, Danny Granger.

Granger hasn't seen the NBA floor this season, but that hasn't stopped the Pacers from surging to No. 4 in the Eastern Conference standings.

David West, who many will remember was near a deal with the Celtics before bolting to Indiana last offseason, is averaging a team-high 17 points per game, while Roy Hibbert is averaging eight rebounds a night for the Pacers.

As a team, Indiana is averaging 91 points a game, and allowing just 90 points per night. Their home record has carried them this season, while their road record of 8-10 continues to plague them.

Paul Pierce is leading the Celtics with 19 points per game, and Kevin Garnett is grabbing seven rebounds a night for Boston.

The Celtics, on the other hand, have lost four-consecutive games and will be looking to get back on track from the friendly confines of the TD Garden. Boston is allowing 97 points per game, while scored 95 points a night.

Boston is expected to start Jason Terry as they attempt to ease Bradley back into game shape.

Next Game

Indiana Pacers
@ Boston Celtics

Friday, Jan 4, 2013, 8:00 PM EST
TD Garden

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For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, Celtics Blog.

Celtics vs. Grizzlies final score: Boston falls again, 93-83

2013-01-03T03:01:09Z

Paul Pierce had 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists as the Boston Celtics (14-17) dropped another one, this time to the Memphis Grizzlies (20-9), 93-83, Wednesday night from TD Garden in Boston, MA.

It was clear from tip off that Avery Bradley's return to floor would mean more than just his individual defense, at least early on.

Throughout the first half, Bradley's energy and significant defensive efforts allowed his teammates to focus on their specific assignments and control the paint.

With Bradley stabilizing the starters, the bench unit came in midway through the first quarter and maintained their effort as a team on the defensive end, while taking a 26-25 lead to close the first quarter.

But in the second quarter, as Boston's defense dropped from shooting over 60 percent in the first quarter to a pedestrian 47 percent for the first half, the Grizzlies maintained their sharp outside shooting, while scoring more than half of their points in the pant (28). Memphis shot 61 percent for the half and led 50-41.

For the Celtics, their night only got progressively worse through the second half.

Boston offense relied primarily on Paul Pierce and his ability to do just about everything on offense, while Memphis was able to rely consistently throughout it's rotation. Pierce scored just two of Boston's 18 third-quarter points and the offense sputtered. Memphis, however, scored 25 points for the third consecutive quarter to maintain their strong output, as they locked down the Celtics and took a 16-point lead into the fourth.

Boston used a 17-4 run to climb back into the game and trailed the Grizzlies by five with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Memphis clamped down on the defensive end, and got to the free throw line, to extend their lead back to a sustainable 10 points with just over a minute to go as they closed out the night.

Mike Conley had 23 points and nine assists to lead the Grizzlies. Memphis shot 47 percent from the field and out rebounded the Celtics 39-27, while snagging eight offensive boards.

Jeff Green was the only Boston bench guy to score in double digits, notching 10 points in 14 minutes. As a team, the Celtics shot 45 percent from the field, while the hobbled Rajon Rondo scored 11 points and dished out 10 assists.

The Celtics will try to get back on track against Roy Hibbert and the Indiana Pacers, Friday from TD Garden at 8:00 pm ET.

Final - 1.2.2013	1	2	3	4	Total
Memphis Grizzlies	25	25	25	18	93
Boston Celtics	26	15	18	24	83

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Celtics vs. Grizzlies preview: Avery Bradley's returns for Boston against Memphis

2013-01-02T14:38:13Z

For the Boston Celtics, shooting guard Avery Bradley's return couldn't come at a better time.

After losing their last three games by a combined 69 points, Boston will get their defensive stopper when the Memphis Grizzlies come to town Wednesday night from TD Garden.

The Celtics will be thrilled to be off their West Coast road trip, where the team as a whole struggled shooting the ball and Rajon Rondo suffered a hip/thigh injury that left the speedy point guard hobbled and unable to keep up his blazing pace.

Despite his struggles on the road trip, Paul Pierce is still averaging a team high 19.9 points per game. But Pierces's scoring, nor Bradley's defense at the two-guard spot will stop Memphis' towering duo of bigs.

Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are averaging 14 and 17 points per game, respectively. Randolph leads the team with 12 rebounds per game, while Gasol averages nearly two blocks per game/

The Grizzlies have suffered some of the same struggles Boston has over their last three games, as they were unable to score over 90 points in any of the last three contests. The only difference was that Grizzlies were able to keep up their defensive intensity and keep all three games close, while winning one of them.

Memphis' expected starting lineup is: Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

Boston's expected starting lineup is: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Collins.

Rondo is listed as day-to-day and head coach Doc Rivers could start Courtney Lee, while easing Bradley off the bench.

Next Game

Memphis Grizzlies
@ Boston Celtics

Wednesday, Jan 2, 2013, 7:30 PM EST
TD Garden

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For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, Celtics Blog.

Celtics vs. Kings final score: Boston drops third-straight road game, 118-96

2012-12-31T04:36:45Z

Kevin Garnett scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Boston Celtics (14-16) dropped their third-straight game, as they lost to the Sacramento Kings (11-19), 118-96, Sunday from Sleepy Train Arena in Sacramento, CA.

After dropping the first two games of their West Coast, Boston looked to get back on track against the struggling Kings.

Sacramento jumped out to a 16-7 lead early, scoring all of their points within the painted area. Boston settled for jump shots through most of the first quarter and it didn't matter who the Celtics big men were as Sacramento scored at will.

The Celtics found their rhythm, though, as they began attacking the basket behind a hobbled Rajon Rondo and the Boston second unit. Thanks to 14 points from Jeff Green and Jason Terry, the Celtics only trailed by five, 54-49, at halftime against the Kings.

Boston would fall apart, yet again, in the second half as the Kings used transition scores and free throw shots to extend their lead to a game-high 11 points in the third quarter. Boston's offense slumped in the fourth as the Kings extended their lead, and the Celtics' losing streak to three.

Terry and Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20 points. Green and Jared Sullinger also notched 16 and 10 points, respectively, off the bench. Boston hit 41 percent of their shots on the night.

Isiah Thomas scored a game-high 27 points, while John Salmons and Jason Thompson were the only other starters to score 20 or more points. DeMarcus Cousins showed exactly what he's worth against a team who is reportedly very interested in his services, notching 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Sacramento hit 53 percent of their shots, scored 56 points in the paint and out rebounded Boston 45-35.

The Celtics will start off the New Year against Memphis Grizzlies from TD Garden, Wednesday at 7:30 pm ET.

Final - 12.30.2012	1	2	3	4	Total
Boston Celtics	18	31	24	23	96
Sacramento Kings	24	30	30	34	118

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Celtics vs. Kings preview: Boston aims to get back on track in Sacramento

2012-12-30T13:01:38Z

The Boston Celtics expect Rajon Rondo and Leandro Barbosa to return to their rotation Sunday as they face the Sacramento Kings on the second night of a back-to-back and the last game of a three-game West Coast road trip at 9:00 pm ET.

The Celtics, who have lost two-consecutive games by 29 and 18, respectively, will look to get back on track when they square off against the struggling Kings.

Boston will also get a firsthand preview of a potential trade target when it's undersized front court matches up against the extremely talented Sacramento center, DeMarcus Cousins.

After serving a one-game suspension, Cousins returned to action Friday against the New York Knicks by dropping 15 points and 10 rebounds in the one-point victory.

As trade speculation swirls, Cousins and the Kings will be met with an exhausted Celtics squad who desperately need to get back on track.

With the loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics have lost 10 of their last 15 including seven of their last eight games on the road.

Paul Pierce scored 13 points on 20 attempts Saturday night, meaning after scoring over 30 points in two-straight games, Pierce has registered a combined 33 points over the previous three games.

The Boston faithful got a taste of what the Celtics look like without Rondo behind the wheel, who missed the game Saturday thanks to a bruised hip and thigh. The Celtics, as a team, dished out 18 assists in the blowout loss without Rondo, who is averaging just over 11 assists per game. That led to a dreadful 36 percent shooting performance as a team and a frustrating night for the group of Boston veterans.

Next Game

Boston Celtics
@ Sacramento Kings

Sunday, Dec 30, 2012, 9:00 PM EST
Sleep Train Arena

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For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page, Celtics Blog.

Celtics vs. Warriors preview: Boston looks to even up West Coast road trip in Oakland

2012-12-29T14:20:26Z

The Boston Celtics will continue their West Coast road trip, Saturday, when they travel to Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA to face off against the Golden State Warriors, 10:30 pm ET.

Boston has lost five of it's last six road games, as the Celtics continue to struggle to find their identity as a team.

Just days after allowing 106 points, and 42 points in the paint, to the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston will meet up with the sharp-shooting Warriors, who are averaging just over 100 points per game.

Golden State has won three of their last four games, with back-to-back wins over the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers.

David Lee is having arguably the best season of his career, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds per game in an average 37 minutes a night for the Warriors.

As the Celtics prepare for Avery Bradley's return, who is expected to rejoin the team in January, they will look to fix their defensive woes by stopping Golden State's duo of Lee and point guard Stephen Curry led by veterans Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo.

Garnett is averaging 15 points and seven rebounds, while Rondo has notched 13 points, 11 assists and five boards per game.

Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 20 points per game, but hasn't recorded more than 12 points in each of the last two games.

Leandro Barbosa will return to the Celtics following their road trip.

For the Warriors, Klay Thompson, who is averaging 15 points per game, is listed as day-to-day, but is expected to play.

Next Game

Boston Celtics
@ Golden State Warriors

Saturday, Dec 29, 2012, 10:30 PM EST
ORACLE Arena

Complete Coverage >

For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, Celtics Blog.