1.28.2010

Celtics to Test "Flip the Switch" Mentality against Magic, Hawks, and Lakers

In tonight's TNT matchup, the Boston Celtics face-off against the Orlando Magic, in what promises to be the first of three games in less than four nights against three of the five best teams in the NBA.

Tonight's game, like tomorrow night's game against Atlanta, will be played on the road, while the Lakers game will be played at the Gahden. The Celtics and Magic have beaten each other once this year, with both victories coming on the opponent's home court. The Hawks, meanwhile, will be going for a series sweep against the Celtics on Friday, Atlanta having one the three previous meetings this season. Speaking of sweeps, the Lakers swept the Celtics last season, and we'll find out Sunday if the Celtics are able to get up off the mat and inflict some punishment of their own.

Orlando's favored by 2.5.

I'm excited to see how the team does. The Celtics could easily lose all three. Pundits around the league have pointed out that Team Green plays like a team that believes they can "turn it on" for good teams, while sleepwalking through the rest of the season. They wouldn't be the first Celtics team to play out a regular season in this manner. It says here we win 1 and drop 2 of the next three, thereby proving the suspect nature of the "flip-the-switch" mentality.

Gameday Matchup

W-L PF PA HOME ROAD STK L10
BOS 29-13 99.7 93.7 13-7 16-6 W2 5-5
ORL 29-16 101.1 96.3 16-4 13-12 L1 5-5
Injury Report
BOSTON
· J.R. Giddens SG - Jan 26: Day-to-Day
· Brian Scalabrine PF - Jan 26: OUT
ORLANDO
· Vince Carter SG - Jan 26: Day-to-Day
· Fantasy Injury News
· View NBA injury report
Last 5 Games
BOSTON (ET) ORLANDO (ET)
Jan 25 LAC Win 95-89
Jan 22 POR Win 98-95
Jan 20 @DET Loss 92-86
Jan 18 DAL Loss 99-90
Jan 14 CHI Loss 96-83
Jan 25 @MEM Loss 99-94
Jan 23 @CHA Win 106-95
Jan 22 SAC Win 100-84
Jan 20 IND Win 109-98
Jan 18 @LAL Loss 98-92
· Complete Schedule: Boston | Orlando
Depth Chart
POSBOSTON (PPG)ORLANDO (PPG)
PG R. Rondo 14.2J. Nelson 11.8
SG R. Allen 15.9V. Carter 16.4
SF P. Pierce 18.9M. Barnes 8.7
PF R. Wallace 10.3R. Lewis 14.7
C K. Perkins 12.0D. Howard 17.4
· View full depth chart
· Team rosters: Boston | Orlando
Team Stat Leaders

BOSTONORLANDO
PointsP. Pierce 18.9D. Howard 17.4
ReboundsK. Perkins 8.5D. Howard 13.3
AssistsR. Rondo 9.7J. Nelson 4.8
StealsR. Rondo 2.5D. Howard 1.2
BlocksK. Perkins 2.1D. Howard 2.6
· Team stats: Boston | Orlando

2 comments:

FLCeltsFan said...

It all comes down to focus. We beat them on Christmas without Pierce because the team was focused on defense. With both Pierce and KG in the lineup, if they focus on team play and defense, we should win all 3 games coming up. No heroics and one player trying to do too much. They have to get back to team play and most importantly team defense.

Lex said...

Focus is certainly important. But if you lose enough big games, it suggests that the team doesn't have what it takes to put down the hammer when it matters.