So we are going into this game running nearly on empty, I mean yesterday we had Trenton Hassell play 46 minutes. Rafer Alston played 40. Brook Lopez played 44. According to the Nets game notes, CDR is still out. His Twitter page confirms:
To weak to stand up in the shower. Guess I’ll be taking a bath. Turning on the jacuzzi jets.
Also, those game notes still have Courtney Lee starting. He is listed day-to-day. If he doesn’t play I would imagine that Terrence Williams would be starting at the 2, because the only other actives are Josh Boone and Sean Williams. Look for multiple 48 minutes played on the boxscore. As if we are piling on, this is the second night of a away/home back-to-back, which takes its toll on players. The Celtics are coming off their first loss of the season, and they could be angry. Oh and all of their starters are healthy (Big Baby is out, but the C’s haven’t really missed him). The Celtics are a very good defensive team, 2nd in Defensive Efficiency with 91.2 points allowed per 100 possessions.
The one good thing the Nets got going for themselves? The Celtics are an old team and they themselves are coming off a home/away back-to-back stretch. That should keep the Cs from beating the Nets by 30.
This is your open thread tonight guys. I will be around to chat with you guys.
Nets Starting Lineup
- PG – Rafer Alston
- SG – Courtney Lee
- SF – Trenton Hassell
- PF – Eduardo Najera
- C – Brook Lopez
Celtics Starting Lineup
- PG – Rajon Rondo
- SG – Ray Allen
- SF – Paul Pierce
- PF – Kevin Garnett
- C – Kendrick Perkins
Their Mismatches
Paul Pierce vs. Terrence Williams/Trenton Hassell – I realistically could have put a number of different match-ups here. But I am going with the one glaring hole. If Courtney Lee does in fact play, Williams will be logging a ton of minutes. He is big enough to defend threes, but Paul Pierce is a man. Trenton Hassell used to be a great defender, but age is starting to take his toll. I see Pierce getting 25 easily.
Nets bench vs. Celtics bench – If Courtney Lee doesn’t play (I got my money on that since the Nets have 3 days off after this game, so why risk Lee getting hurt), the Nets are only going to have two guys coming off the bench. Josh Boone and Sean Williams. Remember that wildcat lineup we were talking about? Well, we could try the reverse tonight. Imagine Sean Williams playing the three. The Celtics have guys like Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, and Sheldon Williams coming off the bench.
Our Mismatches
Brook Lopez vs. Kendrick Perkins – Perkins is a physical big, but Brook Lopez has the post moves to get him in foul trouble. If that happens, they don’t really have a back-up center who can defend Brook.
Matchup Of The Night
Rafer Alston vs. Eddie House – I know…I know…I am reaching here. But check out this video:
If these two go at it again, it can bring some excitement to a crowd that will probably watching a Celtics blowout win.
Keys To Victory
Make Shots – You saw it a bit yesterday. The Nets were hitting shots when Brook passed out of the doubles, and that gave him some room to operate. He responded with a good night offensively.
Keep It Close – The Celtics can’t let the Nets blow them out early. If they can hang around, you don’t know what can happen.
Stay Healthy – This one should be obvious, but the Nets don’t seem to know. You can play a game without getting hurt. Let’s try it tonight.
Prediction
Current Prediction Record: 3-3
7 guys or 8 guys, it doesn’t really matter. The Celtics will run the Nets out of the building. It could be a 30/40 point loss if the Celtics want it to be.
