Boston lost to the New York tonight 118-110, but the final score does not reflect the dominating performance from the Knicks.

New York shot lights out the entire night, shooting 57% from the field and also going 19-32 behind the arc.  The Celtics shooting was not too shabby either, but the Knicks had a fire under them that Boston could not just overcome.

The biggest difference in the game were the two benches.  The Celtics got just two points from their reserves, while the Knicks got 25 points each from JR Smith and Steve Novak.

Paul Pierce was Boston’s leading scorer, but his season-high 43 points were not enough to pull out a victory for Boston.

» Continue reading “Celtics Can’t Overcome Knicks Offensive Outpouring”

It appears spring has sprung, and with spring comes the end of the NBA regular season and the push toward the playoffs for many teams.

The Celtics currently sit at seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, one and a half games behind Atlanta and two and a half games above New York.  Milwaukee is just half a game behind the Knicks for the final playoff spot, which will make it a tight race come the end of the season.

Boston has two more games left of their current road trip, but it will not be an easy finish.  They end with a back-to-back, starting in Milwaukee tomorrow night and playing Philadelphia Friday.

These two last games will show a lot of what this Celtics team is made of.  They are not very successful playing two games in as many nights, but that will have to change this week.

» Continue reading “Boston Celtics: Eastern Conference Playoff Race Heats Up”

Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Tip-Off: 1:00 P.M.

Projected Starters:

Boston (18-17): Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass

New York (18-18): Jeremy Lin, Landry Fields, Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler

Keys to the Game:

• Can the Celtics get four straight?  They played great team basketball in a dominating win over the New Jersey Nets Friday night.  Almost every player on the active roster got involved in some way, and Boston always seems to play better hen it is not one guy doing all the work.  Boston is 3-0 since returning from the All-Star break, and a win over the Knicks would be a great way to continue their push for the playoffs.
• How will the Celtics handle Linsanity?  Boston and New York have not played since Linsanity blew up.  Rondo and Avery Bradley have a tough assignment defensively.  Lin provides a spark for his teammates, so the Celtics need to contain him and make sure they Knicks do not go on any kind of run.

Prediction:

Celtics 94, Knicks 88.  Boston has played very well since returning from the break, and they will get their fourth straight win this afternoon against New York.

The Celtics had an off day today after defeating the New Jersey Nets last night.  They take on the New York Knicks tomorrow afternoon.

Here are your Saturday news and notes:

• After missing last night’s game, Ray Allen is probable for the Knicks game tomorrow.
• Mickael Pietrus made a bold statement today, claiming the Celtics will win the NBA Championship this year.
• Jermaine O’Neal is still suffering from an injured wrist.  The Celtics center is considering all of his options, including surgery.
• With the trade deadline approaching, take a look at some of the moves available for Boston to make.

Linsanity is sweeing the nation– scratch that, the world.  His surprising success with the New York Knicks has the sports world going linsane.

The media can’t get enough of the Linderella story.  He went from an undrafted Harvard alum, to sleeping on his brother’s couch, to a worldwide craze in just a matter of a few games.

But how would you feel about Jeremy Lin in a Celtics uniform?  Well, it almost happened.  Twice.

The Boston Herald reported:

According to a source, the Celtics were poised to claim the Knicks sensation off waivers when he was cut by Golden State prior to the start of the season, but Houston chose ahead of them in the waiver order.

When Houston later released him, the Celtics were ready to make a move again, only for the Knicks to take Lin off the wire.

» Continue reading “LINteresting Story Coming Out Of Boston”

The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks last night, and Rajon Rondo finally returned to the court after missing eight games due to a wrist injury.

Here are some news and notes on this Saturday:

• Check out the recap of the game here.
• No Celtics players were selected as starters in the All-Star Game.
• Jermaine O’Neal missed practice today, but could play tomorrow.
• Doc Rivers wishes he could have more practice time, but the shortened season makes it difficult with back-to-back games or little rest between outings.

The Celtics take on the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow afternoon.

UPDATE: Rajon Rondo to start tonight.

Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Tip-Off: 8:00 P.M.

Projected Lineups:

Boston (11-10): Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal

New York (8-14): Iman Shumpert, Landry Fields, Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler

» Continue reading “Celtics Hope To Have Rondo Back Against Knicks”

Merry Christmas, Boston Celtics fans!

Today is the day; the first game of the 2011-2012 season.  The Celtics and the New York Knicks kick off the long-awaited season, and what better way to celebrate your holiday than with a little NBA basketball.

I hope Santa was good to everyone, and as Luck of the Irish‘s gift to all of you, here is today’s game preview:

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City

Tip-Off: 12:00

Update: Injury Report: Paul Pierce is OUT with a bruised right heel.

Projected Lineups:

Celtics – Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Sasha Pavlovic

Knicks – Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Landry Fields

Keys to the Game:

• The Celtics are most likely without Paul Pierce, and even if he plays, Doc Rivers said his numbers will be limited.  Pierce provides much of the Celtics’ scoring, so players other than the usual big scorers have to shoot well on the day to pick of the slack from Pierce’s absence.
• The Celtics’ bigs must defend well against Stoudemire and Chandler.  In last season’s playoff series, where the Celtics swept the Knicks, Stoudemire’s injury caused him to miss time.  The Celtics were able to take advantage, but today they will need to play strong offensively and defensively against New York’s front court.  Garnett and O’Neal need to give solid minutes, and new additions Brandon Bass and Chris Wilcox have to provide solid depth.
• The second unit must provide support throughout the game.  Rivers applauded them so far, saying defensively they are much better than last year.  Last season’s second unit gave up a lot of leads and could not keep up the energy of the starters, so it is important to keep the pressure going against the Knicks for 48 minutes.

Prediction:

Celtics 90, Knicks 85.  If the Celtics play as a collective unit, with the starters giving good minutes and the bench providing depth, Boston should be able to hold off New York’s own big three in Stoudemire, Anthony, and Billups.  Those three will get their shots and their points, but if the Celtics do everything right, they should start the season on top.

Day 149: The NBA owners and players reached a tentative agreement to end the lockout.

The two sides met for more than 15 hours Friday, and after coming to terms, all that is left is for the owner and players to cross the i’s and dot the t’s.  If everything goes according to plan, the season begins on Dec. 25.

In the past few years, the NBA turned Christmas day into a spectacle, scheduling the top matchups between famed teams and players.  After long and grueling negotiations that predicted no season at all, what better way to bring holiday spirit than with the season opener of the 2011-2012 season.

The Boston Celtics open in Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks on Christmas, but there is plenty of work to be done in the 31 days prior to the game.

The Celtics have six players under contract: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, and Avery Bradley.  They also have three unsigned rookies: JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore, and Gilbert Brown (they have no rights).

The biggest challenge for the Celtics in the short off-season is going to be who they decide to re-sign and who they let go to look for better options elsewhere.  Jeff Green is a restricted free agent and has expressed great interest in remaining with the Celtics, and the front office should keep him around and give him another opportunity to showcase what he has to offer.

Then there is Glen Davis, Delonte West, Nenad Krstic, Troy Murphy, Sasha Pavlovic, and Carlos Arroyo, who are all are unrestricted free agents.

The Celtics should look for a better option than Davis, whose play is inconsistent at best.  West should be resigned to come off the bench and provide support to Rondo and the other players in the backcourt.

Krstic signed with a team in Moscow and is not expected to be back in Boston.  Murphy, Pavlovic, and Arroyo probably will not return, and the Celtics can find much better players to fill their sport.

Hold on tight because this training camp period is going to go by very quickly, so stay tuned to see who goes and who stays as we anxiously await Dec. 25.