He is as I suspected the first one of the big 3 to fall subject to the injury bug this season. He has not and continues to not be in the best of physical condition as far as avoiding injuries goes. It would not surprise me to see them lose him for an extended period this year.

Regarding Paul Pierce, this was from a year ago almost to the day

He is playing a lot of minutes again and things like a stress reaction can lead to all kinds of complications for a NBA player over 30 who is playing heavy minutes. Pierce actually missed over 30 games last year.

ESPN - Celtics add Pierce to growing injury list - NBA

KG is healthy and of course he is their key, but I think that we can definitely beat them in a seven game series if they only have 2 out of the big 3.

The only negative vibe about this game is that it is on ESPN, so far we are 0-3 this season on the all Boston-NY network. Not sure if our guys are trying to hold back something or not, but we seem to be tight on these nationally televised games and the free flowing hitting on all cylinders offense disappears.

Although the defense tries its best to keep us in the game, Rip tries to much, tay doesn't try enough and Sheed gets in foul trouble. To top if off, Flip shrinks to a 8 man rotation and by the time the 4th quarter rolls around we don't have the energy to pull it out and Flip continues with the cold guys instead of putting in an x factor off the bench.

I just hope I am wrong here with what I stated above.

If Tay gets 12+ points and the bench gets at least 25-30, we should win this one, but it will be close and no blow outs from either team unless the Pistons get KG in foul trouble. (If Stern allows it of course)

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"Once you go Barack, you never go Bak" Mario Cantone 2008

Good observation. It could be a lingering hangover from the media garbage that we had to put up with in the Cavs series.

I would not expect the bench to play much in this one unless there is foul trouble. 2 days rest going in against the best team in the East, it will be like playoff basketball and here I give the Pistons the advantage. If you are looking for player development this probably won't be the game.

We will see. You know KG will get his calls so perhaps Amir will get a shot and save the day. Never know whats going to happen in a game like this. Both teams do not have a history here with the current players so the refs should let them play - I hope. Too many of these East matchups are mucked up by the zebra's but that should not come into play here.


Its the game everyone in the East has been waiting for.

Next year this game will be on X-mas day instead of the usual Kobe/Shaq Santa facial mugs we have been forced to endure the last six years

I believe Max, Hayes and Afflalo will see some time. IMO, their contribution could be the difference in a win or loss.

Afflalo better get some serious burn on Ray Ray. I also think Max will play a big role. He needs to get their shotblockers (KG, Perkins) in foul trouble. Obviously the main guys need to show up. Especially Tay and Sheed. Tay can't get smoked by Pierce like he did by T-Mac.

It's always good when I'm being pessimistic.

I see a letdown. We usually lose games like this. It's frustrating yes but I'd rather lose now than in the playoffs.

I might be biased but I think we can still beat the Celtics and any East or West team for this season's championship.

Flip will go all out with the starters playing them near 40 minutes, with JMax, Hunter, Hayes, and AA off the bench. Good luck for us seeing Amir in this one.

Anyway, hoping I'm wrong again.

Herrmann time tonight? We shall see.

Coach changed Celtics' fortunes

i think a lot of people are forgetting this game is tomorrow, not today

this is a lot bigger game for boston than it is for us. whether we win or not doesn't say much, while if boston wins they'll see it as validation to their status in the east.

unlike the other televised games we've lost to chicago, i think the pistons actually get up for this game and play well.