Celtics Reloaded: The Story of the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics

[rjsuperfly66]

Michael Felger: Welcome back to Felger and Massarotti here on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Its 3:20, and it is Monday, so as promised now and every Monday for the rest of the season, we have Celtics coach Doc Rivers on the line. Doc, how are you man?

Doc Rivers: Mike and Tony, I'm doing alright, things could be a lot worse.

Tony Massarotti: You say things could be "worse." What exactly do you mean by that?

Doc: Well, thankfully for you we aren't playing too well, or else you would not have much to talk about now would you?

Felger: Well Doc, you seem to know the Boston media to well. You had a slightly better week last week, going 2-2, with one of those losses coming in overtime. Do you think you're team is turning the corner?

Doc: Well, every day after practice I think we are turning the corner. We started the season 0-4, with the fourth loss slipping through our grasp in Houston in an overtime game we could have won. Then we dominated two good teams in back to back games. I felt as though we were really turning things around, and then last night happened. However, I'm going to attribute that as just a bad game for our guys. We got in some foul trouble with Perk only able to play 13 minutes, and it change the complexion of the game for us.

Massaroti: It seems as though defense has been a problem this year. What do you attribute to that?

Doc: Well right now, we are in the bottom 10 in team defense, and as a coaching staff, we expect to be among the league leaders. However, when we are winning or at least playing well, people aren't talking about the defense. Unfortunately, we are third worst in the league in point differential. We only average 89.6 points per game. That is unacceptable when giving up 97.1 points per game. Unfortunately, much of that is because we have been blown out a few times this season, in which our starting group has not played in much of the fourth quarter. It is a slightly deceiving stat, but still something to look at.

Felger: Do you think your troubles start with your bench play?

Doc: Defensively, chemistry is hurting us. With a bunch of new guys learning to play together, they just are having a tough time rotating and playing help defense. However, offensively, our bench is averaging over 20 points per game. I would say more of our problems start with the starters.

Tony: Why would you say that Doc?

Doc: Unfortunately for us, we are not playing with balance. When we have won, look at the box score. Everyone is contributing. Then look at last night. Kevin doesn't score much. Perkins, who we rely on for his post and pick and roll defense, is out almost all game in foul trouble. So when two of your five starters cannot fulfill their roles, it is going to be difficult to win, and unfortunately we could not overcome it.

Felger: When you look at the record of 2-5, are you nervous your team could be playing themselves into an early season hole?

Doc: A hole? No. I say that because right now, the eighth place team, Cleveland, is only 3-4. Technically, we are only one game out of a playoff spot. As a team, you don't want to look ahead at standings, but one game is nothing in the NBA. I'd be significantly more concerned if we were already three or so games out. Being close in the playoff picture, it just means it will be easier for us to push and climb the conference ranks when we get hot.

Tony: Doc, you have a busy week this week, playing Toronto tonight, Atlanta Wednesday, Denver on Friday, and Milwaukee on Saturday. How do you prepare for all of these games?

Doc: I just have to make sure I keep the team focused. Tonight for example, they might be looking ahead to a matchup against a very good Atlanta team. I have to make sure they focus and want to send Toronto back to Canada with a loss. Same goes for Wednesday night. Denver is a great team out west, but I have to make sure we focus on each night, one game at a time, one win at a time. That is the only way we can improve as a team.

Felger: Well Doc, we know you are a busy man. We will let you go and prepare for tonight. Best of luck.

Doc: Thanks guys. Talk to you next week.

[rjsuperfly66]

Celtics (2-5) vs. Raptors(1-5)
November 10th, 2009
TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts

Starters
Rajon Rondo Point Guards Jose Calderon

Ray Allen Shooting Guards Demar DeRozan

Paul Pierce Small Forwards Hedo Turkoglu

Kevin Garnett Power Forwards Pops Mensah-Bonsu

Kendrick Perkins Center Andrea Bargnani

Celtics Extinguish Raptors
Bob Ryan

Rasheed Wallace had 28 Points to Lead the Celtics tonight

Many players have had big games so far this year, but none may have been bigger than Rasheed Wallace's 28 point, 5 assist, and 3 rebound effort to help the Celtics build a lead and hold on against the Raptors, 110-105 at home Monday night. Chris Bosh may have been out with a broken hand, but every win is important, and the Celtics made sure to get the big win tonight.

The Bosh-less Raptors would be a much tougher challenge early on than the Celtics would anticipate. Grabbing an early lead, they charged ahead to a 17-11 advantage with 6:43 remaining in the first when Boston used a timeout to regroup. The Celtics would struggle to tighten the gap, until they would use a late 4-0 run to tie the game up at 29 at the end of the quarter.

The Celtics would grab their first lead of the game with 8:01 left in the second quarter, 34-33, on a Ray Allen three point play. They would not look back from the point, using several open looks to open up a 56-47 lead at halftime. This was mainly because of the offensive balance of four players, Pierce (11), Allen (10), Garnett (10), and Rasheed Wallace (10).

The teams would play even for much of the third quarter, except that this favored the Celtics because they already held a rather large lead. With 3:42 remaining, the Raptors used their first timeout of the quarter, trailing the Celtics 75-64. However, the Raptors would chip into the lead at this point, going on a run that would have them trailing only 83-77 entering the fourth quarter.

With 6:34 left in the fourth, that is where Toronto would make their run to cut the lead. Two Demar DeRozan free throws cut the Celtics lead to 91-89 with 6:34 remaining in the game. Back and forth the teams would go, but a Rasheed Wallace three with 4:19 left would give the Celtics a 96-91 lead. That would be the sparkplug which would ignite the Celtics for the remainder of the game, a game they would end up winning 110-105.

This may have been the first time all season that the Celtics were able to execute offensively in a game which was close for most of the way through. Usually in close games, it is the offense which does not come through leaving the defense left out to dry, but tonight the offense clicked and the defense was able to provide stretches were it was solid enough to lead the team to victory.

Andrea Bargnani lead the Raptors with 24 Points and 7 Rebounds, but was only 3-10 from behind the arc.

Rasheed Wallace led the Celtics with 28 points, with Pierce (26), and Allen (20), also having big game for the Celtics, who return to the court Wednesday night at home against the Atlanta Hawks.

Box Score For Starters

Celtics

Rondo - 4 Points (2/6), 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists
R. Allen - 20 points (7/15), 2 Rebounds, 1 Assist
Pierce - 26 Points (7/14), 3 Assists, 2 Rebounds
Garnett - 13 Points (4/7), 10 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Perkins - 5 Points (2/2), 6 Rebounds, 3 Blocks

Raptors

Calderon - 14 Points (4/7), 6 Assists, 1 Rebound
DeRozan - 19 Points (5/8), 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Turkoglu - 10 Points (3/9), 6 Assists, 5 Rebounds
Mensah-Bonsu - 15 Points (7/10), 6 Rebounds, 4 Blocks
Bargnani - 24 Points (9/19), 7 Rebounds, 2 Assists

[Buckeye]

Huge Win!

[rjsuperfly66]

Quote: Originally Posted by DeathCrossMS

Im a huge Celtics lover and i love KG and Shuttlesworth. Im glad that the record is 2-4 now. And im following

THANKS

[rjsuperfly66]

Hawks Look to Assert Themselves as Eastern Conference Power Against Celtics
Mike Lipka
Wednesday, November 12th, 2009
Yahoo! Sports

Although Atlanta has only started the season 3-3, they believe they are one of the best teams in the East, but there’s one feat they’ve yet to achieve that would help them further assert themselves as an Eastern Conference power.

The Hawks will get another chance at their first win in Boston since the Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen as the teams meet for the first time this season Wednesday night.

The Celtics (3-5) have won all seven regular-season meetings with Atlanta since the start of the 2007-08 season, and even though the Hawks pushed top-seeded Boston to seven games in the teams’ first-round playoff series in 2008, their four lopsided road losses in that series are among their nine straight defeats at the TD Garden.

Atlanta (3-3) nearly won in Boston last season, with the Celtics needing Paul Pierce last-second jumper to win 103-102 on Nov. 12, 2008, but Boston earned a more comfortable 104-92 victory in the most recent meeting April 3.

“We don’t play the same way we do at home,” Hawks forward Josh Smith said after that game. “We get away from the things we do at home and don’t do it on the road.”

After they went 1-4 on the road in last season’s playoffs and got swept in the second round by Cleveland, the Hawks are hoping things have changed. Although they have started this season 1-3 on the road, they feel like they have changed the mentality surrounding the team over the past few seasons, but believe last night's dominating performance turned the corner for them.

Last night, they won 110-95 at Chicago on Monday night, shooting 47.2 percent from the field to open this brief two-game trip.

“We’ve grown,” coach Mike Woodson said. “The last two years we’ve been in some tough games. We’ve won some tough ones and we’ve lost. You know this team hasn’t quit these last two years and it’s a sign of the guys in that locker room. We’re all fighting for something. We’re trying to be better than a year ago.”

Atlanta used a balanced effort to surge past the Bulls, with five players scoring at least 10 points and four scoring at least 15, led by Jamal Crawford's thirty points.

Boston employed a similar formula in its 110-105 home win over Tornoto, with four players scoring in double figures. Rasheed Wallace led the way with 28 points, while Paul Pierce added 26 and Ray Allen added 20.

Celtics fans have grown used to a stifling defense, but this year it has not been the case, as they are among the worst in the league, giving up on average 98.1 points per game.

Meanwhile, Atlanta's offense, expected to be one of the most efficient in the league, has struggled this season and is only averaging 96 points per game for a team expected to explode on offense this season with offensive threats present in Smith and Bibby, and the addition of sharpshooter Jamal Crawford.

The Hawks haven’t experienced that sort of success against Boston in recent meetings, but tonight could be a different story.

In the seven regular-season losses to the Celtics since the start of 2007-08, Atlanta has averaged 90.3 points. Hawks leading scorer and former Celtics first-round draft pick Joe Johnson has shot 37.3 percent from the field in those games.

[rjsuperfly66]

Celtics (3-5) vs. Hawks (3-3)
November 12th, 2009
TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts

Starters
Rajon Rondo Point Guards Joe Johnson (Bibby Out)

Ray Allen Shooting Guards Jamal Crawford

Paul Pierce Small Forwards Marvin Williams

Kevin Garnett Power Forwards Josh Smith

Kendrick Perkins Center Al Horford

Celtics Torch Hawks in Convincing Fashion
Bob Ryan

This shot was 2 of Pierce's 28 on the night

The Celtics haven't had too many games go right from start to finish for them this season, but this 103-73 thrashing of the Atlanta Hawks was dominant all the way through.

This game would start out like the thriller that many expected it to be. Both teams played close early, with the Celtics holding a slim lead. Up 16-11 with 7:31 remaining, the Celtics would suffer a big blow to their defense as Kendrick Perkins would leave the game with a knee injury. However, that would not slow down the Celtics, as they would continue to dominate the Hawks on both sides of the court, and forced Atlanta into a timeout up 27-18 with 3:28 remaining in the quarter. That seemed to be what they needed to turn this one around, as Atlanta closed the quarter on a 10-4 run to cut the Celtics lead to 31-28. Jamal Crawford was huge for the Hawks, scoring 17 points in the quarter. Paul Pierce was nearly as impressive, scoring 15 points of his own.

Despite the rough end to the first quarter, the Celtics showed no fear. They went on a 7-1 in the first 3:42 of the quarter to open their lead back to 38-29. It was at this point when Kendrick Perkins reentered the game for the Celtics to provide his strong defense, and helped lead the Celtics to a 49-38 lead at halftime. Although it was a poor half for both teams, it was the Celtics defense which held Crawford to 1 point in the second quarter, while Joe Johnson had 0 points and 3 turnovers in the half.

The Celtics kept their intensity high in the second half, not allowed Atlanta to make a run, although both teams played about even. With 4:21 remaining in the third quarter, Boston used a timeout, but led 61-48. It was from that point that the Celtics outscored Atlanta 14-8 to end the quarter, putting them ahead 75-56, and seemingly putting this game out of reach.

The Celtics kept their intensity through the fourth quarter, outscoring the Hawks 28-17 in the period, on way to a 103-73 dominant victory over Atlanta.

This easily was Boston's most dominant performance of the season. The offense clicked, the defense created offense, and the whole team played with intensity throughout.

Kendrick Perkins was taken for an MRI after the game, but the extent of the injury is unknown. Despite the injury, Perkins turned in one of his best performances of the season, with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Jamal Crawford led the Hawks with 26 points, but was held to just 9 points after the first quarter.

For the Celtics, Paul Pierce led them with 28 points and Ray Allen added 22 of his own. The Celtics return to the home court on Friday when they take on the Denver Nuggets.

Box Score For Starters

Celtics

Rondo - 8 Points (4/7), 6 Rebounds, 6 Assists
R. Allen - 22 points (8/20), 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Pierce - 28 Points (6/8, 13/14 FT), 5 Assists, 2 Rebounds
Garnett - 14 Points (5/12), 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists
Perkins - 13 Points (4/5), 5 Rebounds, 2 Blocks

Hawks

Johnson - 2 Points (1/9), 5 Assists, 1 Rebound
Crawford - 26 Points (7/12), 3 Assists, 2 Rebounds
Williams - 0 Points (0/2), 2 Rebounds, 1 Steal
Smith - 9 Points (4/9), 3 Assists, 2 Rebounds
Horford - 13 Points (5/9), 9 Rebounds, 1 Assist

[rjsuperfly66]

Perkins Out 1 to 2 Weeks
ESPN News Feed
November 13th, 2009

The Boston Celtics have announced that starting center Kendrick Perkins will likely miss 1 to 2 weeks with a strained MCL. The injury occurred early in the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks last night, a game the Celtics won 103-73.

Despite the injury, Perkins played 30 minutes, having his most productive offensive game of the season, scoring 13 points. "It felt alright during the game, but after it began to bother me," said Perkins. "The staff decided that it would be best for me to get an MRI which we did."

Coach Doc Rivers announced that although the injury to Perkins will take 1 to 2 weeks to heal, the staff will monitor him on a day-to-day basis.

"Perk is a tough guy, and doctor's have said he could play whenever he feels up to it. However, it is early in the season, so the last thing we want to do is rush him back to fast," said Rivers.

Perkins was averaging 3.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Although his stats are not overly impressive, it is his interior defense that the Celtics will miss over the next few weeks.

[rjsuperfly66]

Celtics (4-5) vs. Nuggets (7-1)
November 14th, 2009
TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts

Starters
Rajon Rondo Point Guards Chauncey Billups

Ray Allen Shooting Guards J.R. Smith

Paul Pierce Small Forwards Carmelo Anthony

Kevin Garnett Power Forwards Kenyon Martin

Rasheed Wallace (Perkins Out) Center Nene

Nuggets to 8-1, Smash Celtics
Bob Ryan

Billups led the charge for Denver against the Celtics tonight


The energy Boston had during the Atlanta game diminished with the injury to Kendrick Perkins, and the Celtics fell victim to fatigue and fell to the Denver Nuggets, 96-84, on Friday night.

This team started early as a battle between two preseason championship contenders. Denver jumped out 3-0, but by the 7:12 timeout in the first, the Celtics grasped onto a 7-6 lead. Back and forth the teams would go, tough stop after tough stop, and Denver was forced to use a timeout with 3:59 remaining, still stuck at 6 points, but trailing only 10-6. The offense would pick up the last few minutes of the half, and Boston would lead after one, 21-20. Paul Pierce had carried the slack for Boston in the quarter, scoring 14 points.

The two teams would again play very tightly early on in the second quarter, and at the 7:44 timeout, Denver would hold the slim lead, 27-26. However, from that point forward, Denver would dominate the second quarter, opening up a 48-34 lead at halftime, as the lack of depth seemed to hurt the Celtics late in the quarter.

The Nuggets would push their lead to 18 early in the second half and hold the margin around there, with the score being 65-47 with 3:58 remaining in the quarter. Denver would extend their lead to as large as 22, but Boston would cut the lead to 74-57 at the end of the quarter.

The Celtics would never get close the rest of the way, but would end up losing by only 12, 96-84.

Much of the problem in the game tonight was the lack of depth on the Celtics bench. With the loss of Perkins, guys like Marquis Daniels needed to step up, but unfortunately were rusty and did not get the job done against a team as good as Denver.

Chauncey Billups was the answer for the Nuggets, as he had 19 points and 12 assists.

On the other side, Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 26 points and 7 rebounds. The Celtics will play again tomorrow at Milwaukee, whom they beat in their last matchup, 115-97, at the Garden.

Box Score For Starters

Celtics

Rondo - 6 Points (2/4), 5 Assists, 1 Rebound
R. Allen - 10 points (4/11), 3 Rebounds, 2 Steals
Pierce - 26 Points (9/15), 7 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Garnett - 21 Points (6/13), 7 Assists, 3 Rebounds
Wallace - 2 Points (0/10), 9 Rebounds, 2 Blocks

Nuggets

Billups - 19 Points (5/10), 12 Assists, 2 Rebounds
Smith - 14 Points (5/11), 7 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Anthony - 16 Points (5/9), 6 Rebounds, 2 Steals
Martin - 13 Points (6/8), 4 Rebounds, 3 Blocks
Nene - 8 Points (4/8), 4 Rebounds, 2 Blocks