Game 72 Preview: Celtics at Raptors

Via the Canadian Press

The Celtics (23-48) have a chance to player spoiler tonight.

With their victory Wednesday night in Boston, the Raptors (40-31) have a clinch to clinch a playoff berth tonight.

The C's will look to hold off any celebrations for their divisional foe for at least a few days.

Toronto snapped an 11-game losing streak in Boston on Wednesday. 

Boston will look to split the season series with the Raptors tonight.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Raptors:
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Terrence Ross
Amir Johnson
Jonas Valanciunas

Keys to the game:

1. Contain the starting five: As I highlighted in Wednesday's game recap, Toronto's starting lineup scored 92 of their 99 points. Toronto's starting five ranks seventh in the league in scoring. Boston cannot let three of Toronto's starters to score over 20 points like they did on Wednesday.

2. One chance, and one chance only: It's easy for a team whose starting center is only 6'9'' to give up a lot of rebounds, points in the paint and second chance points. That's why the Celtics need all hands on deck to make life difficult for Toronto on the glass. The Raptors doubled up the Celtics on points in the paint, 14-7, on Wednesday and out-rebounded the C's, 40-28. Toronto cannot get whatever they want. The C's must put a little pressure down low on the Raptors.

Final: Raptors 99, Celtics 90

The Celtics (23-48) dropped their second straight game tonight as they fell to the Raptors (40-31), 99-90.

The C's trailed virtually all night long, and they trailed by as many as 15 points.

Toronto was led by their starting five, which combined for 92 of the team's 99 points.

Boston barely shot 40% from the floor, and they were unable to find a rhythm on offense all night.

The good:

* He scored only 7 points in the first three quarters, but Jared Sullinger sure did finish strong. Sullinger finished with a game-high 26 points on the night to go along with 8 rebounds off the bench. Once not known for his shooting, Sullinger hit four of his six three-point attempts, including three in a row in the fourth quarter.

* Boston's bench was solid tonight. From Phil Pressey's 12 points to Kelly Olynyk's 7 point, 5 rebound effort, the bench kept the C's in the game.

* Boston had a season-low 9 turnovers tonight.

The bad:

* While Boston's bench performed well, the starters didn't hold up their end of the bargain. They shot 36% from the floor.


Boston concludes its home-and-home with Toronto on Friday night at the Air Canada Centre. Tipoff is 7 pm.

Game 71 Preview: Raptors at Celtics

Via Boston Herald

The Celtics (23-47) begin the first of a home-and-home with the Toronto Raptors (39-31) tonight at the TD Garden.

The Raptors, who lead the Atlantic Division by a game and a half over the Brooklyn Nets, have been a pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference. They sit a half game behind the Chicago Bulls for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto has dropped four of its last six, including a tough loss last night to the Cleveland Cavaliers by the final of 102-100.

The Celtics are back in action for the first time since they fell to the Nets last Friday, 114-98.

Projected lineups:

Raptors:
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Terrence Ross
Amir Johnson
Jonas Valanciunas

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Keys to the game:

1. Lowry vs. Rondo: Rajon Rondo needs to own this matchup with Kyle Lowry. Lowry is having a terrific season. He is averaging 17.6 points, 7.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 70 games this season. Rondo is continuing to regain his explosiveness, and he is going to need every ounce of it to stop Lowry tonight.

2. The three: Nearly a quarter of Toronto's offense comes from three-point land. The Celtics have been very good all season at defending the three, boasting the fourth best three-point defense in the NBA. They're going to need to step up defensively and limit Toronto's effectiveness from long distance.

Game 66 Preview: Suns at Celtics

Via Getty Images

Their last matchup in Phoenix was quite entertaining, but the luck wasn't with the Irish that night.

Tonight, the Celtics (22-43) look to extract revenge from the Suns (36-28).

The Suns have lost four of their last five games and have fallen out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

They received good news on Wednesday night when guard Eric Bledsoe returned to action after a 10-week absence while rehabbing from right knee surgery.

The Celtics may get Avery Bradley back tonight. He is a game-time decision.

Projected lineups:

Suns:
Goran Dragic
Eric Bledsoe
Channing Frye
Marcus Morris
Miles Plumlee

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Jerryd Bayless
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Keys to the game:

1. Capitalize on the poor defense: Over their last ten games, the Suns' defense has been nothing short of pathetic. They've given up 112 points per game, with the lowest amount given up being 104. With Rajon Rondo expected back, the C's need to be on the prowl and ready to attack an unstable Phoenix defense.

2. Keep feeding Hump: Kris Humphries has been on a tear of late. He's averaging 12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field. He's been a catalyst on both the offensive and defensive ends. His highlight-reel block on a Tim Hardaway layup on Wednesday was a testament to how he's played: hard. Hump needs to bring that energy again to give the C's a chance to win.

Game 64 Preview: Celtics at Pacers

Via Getty Images

Kris Humphries and company need all hands on deck to battle Indy's bigs.

In my last game preview, the Pacers (46-17) visited the Celtics (22-41).

Tonight, the C's visit the Eastern Conference's best team.

This is the fourth and final meeting between these two teams. The Pacers have gone 3-0 thus far.

Although they have already clinched a playoff berth, the Pacers are slumping. They've lost four straight games by an average of 15.3 points.

Help is on the way for the struggling Pacers. Andrew Bynum, who signed with Indy on February 1, will make his Pacer debut tonight. It was a strategic move to have Bynum sit out in order to strengthen his knees and get in better shape.

On the other side, the Celtics have won two in a row, with their latest victory coming Sunday night over the Detroit Pistons.

Tonight marks the first of a back-to-back for the Celtics, and head coach Brad Stevens has already ruled Rajon Rondo out for tomorrow's game.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Jerryd Bayless
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Pacers:
George Hill
Lance Stephenson
Paul George
David West
Roy Hibbert

Keys to the game:

1. Attack: Boston is playing an Indiana team that's in a funk right now. They've given up 108.7 points on 49.4% shooting over their last three games. The Celtics need to maintain their offensive rhythm they've had over their last three games, a stretch in which they've shot 47% from the floor.

2. Take someone away: Indy has four guys in their starting five averaging more than 6.5 rebounds per game. The Celtics have one. The C's need to limit Indy's effectiveness on the glass by taking away one of their gargantuan players. Whether it be David West, Lance Stephenson or Roy Hibbert -- watch out for Bynum, too -- not everyone can get what they want on the block.

Celtics unveil new St. Patrick's Day unis

Via celticsstore.com

The Celtics revealed their brand new 2014 St. Patrick's Day jersey Monday.

The team will sport the jerseys three times next week: March 14 vs. the Phoenix Suns, March 16 vs. the New Orleans Pelicans and March 17 vs. the Dallas Mavericks.

The color scheme remains the same as the old St. Patrick's day jersey, with the solid green jersey with gold lettering. The only difference being these jerseys have sleeves.

The jerseys are an homage to the 1947-1947 Celtics, who wore sleeved jerseys in their inaugural season.

Below is a picture of that team

Via celticslife.com

Celtics re-sign Babb

The Celtics have signed guard Chris Babb to a second ten-day contract.

The 24-year-old rookie has appeared in four games with the C's, averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in about 13 minutes.

The move will keep Babb with the team for at least the next six games.

Game 59 Preview: Pacers at Celtics

Via AP Photos

Paul George and the Pacers will sure give the Celtics all they can handle.

The Celtics (20-39) snapped their five-game losing streak Wednesday night and will look to start a winning streak tonight against the Indiana Pacers (44-13).

This is the third meeting this season between these two teams. Indiana has won the first two by an average of 21 points.

Indiana has won three in a row, with their most recent victory coming Thursday night over the NBA's worst team, the Milwaukee Bucks.

Indiana owns the best record in the NBA and the best defense. They're holding opponents to a league-low 91.1 points and 41.4% from the field.

They will be without starting point guard George Hill, as he is nursing a bruised left shoulder.

The Celtics hope to get Jared Sullinger back from a concussion. Kelly Olynyk (toe) is likely to play as well. Avery Bradley remains out with an ankle injury.

Projected lineups:

Pacers:
C.J. Watson
Lance Stephenson
Paul George
David West
Roy Hibbert

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Jerryd Bayless
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Jared Sullinger

Keys to the game:

1. Get out and run: Indiana is usually very good at defending the fast break. However, they've hit a bit of a rough patch. They're allowing 15.1 fast break points per game over their last three games. With Indiana big down low, the Celtics need to capitalize on every opportunity in transition.

2. Big game from Rondo: If the C's want to win tonight, Rajon Rondo needs to play well. I mean, really well. With George Hill out, it's imperative for Rondo to take advantage of C.J. Watson and the Pacer backcourt.