Celtics (43-32) @ Warriors (68-7)

[Parliament10]

on ESPN, CSNE, CSBA

@ ORACLE Arena, Oakland, California – (Boston Celtics, 6th in Eastern Conference)






Warriors prank Festus Ezeli by making him believe he was cut from the team
Andre Iguodala got Warriors players and coaches involved to pull this off.
By Brett Pollakoff | Mar 31, 2016

http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/golden-state-warriors-prank-festus-ezeli-cut-from-team-iguodala-curry-video-033116

Festus Ezeli has missed the last 29 games for the Warriors after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery back in January, but he's been participating in practices and could return to the lineup as early as next week.

That made the timing of this prank from Andre Iguodala and several of Ezeli's teammates especially cruel.

In a video promoting Lyft and the company's "prank mode" (which will allow for some April Fool's Day shenanigans in select cities through the use of their app), Iguodala is seen orchestrating a prank on Ezeli where he's made to believe he's been cut from the team.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/festus/status/715629126036496384[/tweet]





Golden State Warriors Roster, 2015-16
http://www.foxsports.com./nba/golden-state-warriors-team-roster



Updates (up to Gametime):
[tweet]https://twitter.com/celtics/status/715992844247416832[/tweet]







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Victory Cigar
(14) Isaiah Thomas
(7) Avery Bradley
(6) Evan Turner
(4) Jae Crowder
(3) Stevens/Team
(2) Kelly Olynyk
(2) Marcus Smart
(2) Amir Johnson
(2) Jared Sullinger
(1) Tyler Zeller

Ties go to the Team.
___________________________________________________________________________________




(9) Evan Turner
(7) Jared Sullinger
(6) Jae Crowder
(5) Avery Bradley
(5) Kelly Olynyk
(4) Isaiah Thomas
(4) Marcus Smart
(2) Stevens/Team
(1) Amir Johnson

[Froob]

LOL I saw James Young to start and was like wtf is this April Fools and then

But yeah

Spoiler:

The City goes down tonight.

Spoiler:

[Parliament10]

LOL I saw James Young to start and was like wtf is this April Fools and then

But yeah

Spoiler:

The City goes down tonight.

Spoiler:

Hahaha!!!

Figured we'd have a little fun.

[ConstableGeneva]

The Warriors rotation very rarely changes. I hope Stevens uses this to our "advantage." He usually plays IT for the whole of the 1st quarter, pulls Bradley early so he could play with the bench unit at the start of the 2nd quarter. Flip those two for tonight please!

Curry rests first six minutes of second quarter and first five minutes of 4th. Thereabouts. Bradley needs to be on the floor every second Curry is on the floor. IT still starts but has to spend more time against the Warriors second unit (no Ezeli, no Iggy) 'cos that's where the Celtics can make their run. Stagger starters so 2nd unit (start of 2nd/start of 4th) would be IT-Smart-Crowder-Jerebko-KO vs. Liv-Barbosa/Clark-Klay-Barnes-Speights. Always have ET or IT on the floor. Sorry but Smart can't run an effective offense yet.

We took them to OT last time but they didn't have Klay and Barnes (who has been negligible in March anyway). We didn't have Smart then and we were playing David Lee. They're missing Iguodala and Ezeli tonight while we have our full squad (assuming Crowder is a go). It would take an off night for one or both of the splash brothers and one of our better shooting performances for a chance at a win. We also need to get easy points off their turnovers and secure defensive boards like our life depended on it (KO, we need you!). I give us as much chance of winning this as Durant signing here in the offseason. So basically near-nil. But it doesn't mean we can't try. Just give the Warriors one hell of a fight on national TV. Let's go Celtics!!

[ConstableGeneva]

And for inspiration and motivation...

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Td5QRfzj4[/youtube]

These guys' home record is at stake tonight! Show some Celtic pride! Swedish Larry Bird IS walking through that door! Bradley IS Ainge. Hope KO goes all McHale on the Warriors. Marcus Smart is the new DJ. Amir is as old as The Chief. I'm grasping at straws here. BUT I DO WANT A WIN! LET'S GO CELTICS!!

The above video still gives me goosebumps btw, and I've seen it more than 10 times already.

[klemen4]

Nothing to lose, a lot to gain...hope Crowder plays, than we may have a chance...go Celts!

[Banks2Pierce]

Despite playing pretty well on b2bs the last two seasons, it's annoying that we're getting robbed on that front in such a showcase game. Would bet that Crowder plays. I've had that high ankle sprain before and it's not like it's going to get worse. Gotta go to Olynyk or Crowder at the 4 early and often.

[old rem]

If Crowder plays the Celtics can......put up a fight. I fully expect GSW runs the table at home. They have slacked and slopped in a few ROAD games. At home.. unbeaten and headed for a record. Give it an effort..and take notes. The Celtics ARE rising, they just ain't gonna win at the Oracle.

[DijonRondo]

[ConstableGeneva]

Good pre-game read on IT:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/IanThomsen/status/715905952088723456[/tweet]

"I was really sure that this was how it was going to happen," Thomas says. "It sounds crazy, but I always thought I was going to be an NBA player, always thought I was going to be an All-Star and one of the best to play. That was in my head since I was a little boy. Before I loved anything, I loved the game of basketball. Before I knew what love was."

Spoiler:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/715896746988146689[/tweet]He's also on pace to become the 3rd Celtic after Hondo and Bird to average at least 22 ppg and 6 apg in a season. The little guy!

Spoiler:

Reminder: acquired via a TPE

[Froob]

And 5'9 might be a bit of a stretch even. Maybe 5'7.

[Froob]

Uh where are the Cs (and the Hawks) in this promo?

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/715918421288943616[/tweet]

[ConstableGeneva]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/715926963664367616[/tweet]Give them hell, boys!

[FlatearthZorro]

We need this, but it wont be easy at all.. The Warriors are an offensive juggernaut.. If we play well on defense, we have a shot, if we don't, we might get blown out of the building.

[Bleeding Green]

Realistically the Celtics have like a 2 percent chance of winning this game. Warriors aren't losing at home without some fluky **** happening. But maybe Jerebko goes 7-7 from 3 and Curry has an off-game. Just keep it close and don't get injured is all I ask for.

[Smitty731]

The Celtics will battle these guys. It might not be enough, but they'll fight the whole way. Having a shot to win it at the end is all you can ask for in a matchup like this.

[old rem]

Realistically the Celtics have like a 2 percent chance of winning this game. Warriors aren't losing at home without some fluky **** happening. But maybe Jerebko goes 7-7 from 3 and Curry has an off-game. Just keep it close and don't get injured is all I ask for.

Good estimate. Odds no GSW guys shoot okay.. are slim. At HOME....they are a buffalo stampede.

They WILL be the first EVER to win EVERY home game. If Crowder's not there.. he's always a versatile Chemistry guy, a reason I see good futures for these Celtics. No Crowder.. chances go from slim to...whatever.

THIS ...can be a learning experience. The Celtics have a deep roster,do team effort. They are a STAR short of getting big wins but it's a PROCESS. Boston has picks and Cap $, and a great BASE. They can soon compete for Beast of the East.

So....Any hope to WIN this.. is betting on a donkey to win a Horse Race.....It CAN happen ( slim chances). What Celtics DO is LEARN, this will be vs a team going after "ALL TIME" historic. Boston is building on a similar format. Pay attention.

[Captain_Caveman]

Hate how success gives homer fans with zero basketball knowledge carte blanche to just say dumb stuff with authority. Rem, you spent 5 years telling everyone how great Andris Biedrins was, you might want to give it a rest with this no chance bullsh-t lol.

Cs obviously likely won't win but this same crew has taken the Dubs down to the wire in their last three games vs them. The Cs stellar perimeter defense and ability to match the Ws smallball lineup make us a pretty decent matchup for you.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Cs shoot 22/33 from 3.
Celts win 108-102.

April Fool's.

[rickrolled]

Alot of sig worthy ish from this troll, I might use it later..