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At the illustrious...


Starting Lineups



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With TJ Ford doubtful with back problems, Earl Watson is stepping into the starting role and taking on the daunting task of guarding the beastly Rajon Rondo. Rondo had a party in last year's playoffs nearly averaging a triple-double thoughout two rounds. Earl Watson has had good shooting games since becoming a Pacer, and with distribution being a weak point thus far in the season (more turnovers per game than assists), he's going to have to step up to kick-start this offense.

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Ray Allen makes shots. Brandon Rush still has to prove that he can. Ray Allen is a potent offensive player known to have great games against the Pacers, and Rush will guard Allen if Paul Pierce plays. Otherwise, he may be matched up against Marquis Daniels while Dahntay Jones guards Ray Allen. Rush needs to find some rhythm because if he can't establish himself as an offensive option, he's going to be hanging Granger and Hibbert out to dry.

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After just 6 games, Dahntay Jones has established himself as someone who can score in the NBA. He is currently the Pacers' #2 scorer. Paul Pierce will have a field day if Jones gets into foul trouble. Of course, that's if Pierce isn't being held out for a knee injury sustained yesterday against the Hawks. Pierce likes to use his strength to get inside, and make his opponents foul him. Jones is a savvy defender, and has made impressive plays on more than one occasion this season. The Pacers need him to continue to step up.

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With a healthy Kevin Garnett and a bruised Danny Granger, the matchup looks off-kilter. However, Granger proved that he can rebound against Golden State (against a small lineup) but he'll need to find a way to stop Garnett's post-up. Garnett will then need to find a way to guard Granger on the perimeter. Granger should look to penetrate to draw fouls and get to the line, and really be active on the boards this game.

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Roy Hibbert managed to do well against Brendan Haywood, but now faces a tough defensive force in Kendrick Perkins. Hibbert must try and stay out of foul trouble when Boston gets inside, which they do very well. He needs to keep swatting shots because when he gets his blocks, the Pacers are a bit better on defense, and every bit helps in this battle.

The Key Reserves



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The Pacers are still shorthanded, but Tyler Hansbrough has opened some eyes with his play (his remain the widest open, though). Former Pacer Marquis Daniels was a cheap acquisition for the Celtics, and Rasheed Wallace only added to their already potent frontline, with a rotation of Garnett, Perkins, Davis, and Rasheed. McRoberts may see minutes if things go south.

The Coaches



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Jim O'Brien has elected to go with a small lineup in lieu of Troy Murphy. Doc Rivers may be without Paul Pierce, which would deplete his swingman rotation. Jim O'Brien was a one-time coach of the Celtics and his knowledge of Paul Pierce will hopefully translate into a fight. The Pacers have allowed and scored the exact same number of points, but have a slight edge in FG%, which is what O'Brien's focus is on.

Injury Report



Pacers
Mike Dunleavy: Out (Knee)
Travis Diener: Game-time decision (Toe)
TJ ford: Doubtful (Back)
Jeff Foster: Out (Ankle)
Troy Murphy: Out (Back)

Celtics
Paul Pierce: Questionable (Knee)
Brian Scalabrine: Game-Time Decision (Toe)

Final Points



-Keep Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Perkins, Rasheed, Davis, Daniels, Walker, House, Giddens out of the paint, but let Scalabrine do whatever he wants to.
-Take care of the ball. The other two teams with more turnovers than assists are New Jersey (0-9) and Charlotte (3-5).
-Surprisingly Boston hasn't been rebounding well and the Pacers have been. Keep that up at all costs. Boards are the most important non-scoring aspect of the game.

Tradition








Doesn't stop there.






BEAT THE CELTICS!

This is our first real test since our last three opponents weren't exactly the cream of the crop. I think Granger on Garnett is going to be a tough matchup. Granger can't guard Garnett, but Garnett, even after the knee injury, can guard Granger.

My bad on not getting the Pacers Psychic Predictions up.

I was about 2 ask about prediction thread miller. All good bud. Most likely a celtic win anyways. Hopefully not though

I see the views. Don't be afraid to post every now and then, people.

I think that the Pacers are doing a good job of hanging with them, but when the bench takes the floor, it feels like we're slipping.

Wow. Dannys certainly firing from downtown tonight. I hope he stays hot in the second half

We suck tonight...how are we only down 5?

The Celtics might have more offensive rebounds than we have rebounds period.

DGrangeRx33 wrote:We suck tonight...how are we only down 5?

The Celtics might have more offensive rebounds than we have rebounds period.

TRUE. Pretty sad to see Hibbert STILL without a rebound 3 mins into the third quarter

I love Ford off the bench. He and Hansbrough would be great at giving this team a life when the starters come out. On top of that, Watson is a better passer and defender and fits in with our starters better. I hope they make this switch permanent.

Well M4E i dunno about you but id say the second unit just took care of business over that last 4-6 mins. KEEP IT UP BOYS

Your team has what they call "SWAG."

True. I like the way this game is going. Besides that stretch when the refs got whistle-happy, this 4th quarter is a good one.

Brandon Rush is the best defender on this team and I don't think it's close. Dahntay Jones is pretty good at bothering people and being a pest, but when it comes to straight up defense, Rush is amazing to watch. Sometimes I just get lost watching him off the ball. Now, his man-to-man is solid, as he had this brilliant play where he stripped Pierce which lead to an open lay-up, but his help defense is great too. He's rotated over numerous times to block shots tonight. Not to mention, getting his hands in the passing lanes and causing deflections. And I love how he goes after rebounds, always grabbing the ball at it's highest point. His 10 points so far is just the icing on top.

Long story short.... I'm in love with Brandon Rush.

Dahntay Jones and Tyler Hansbrough are making Larry Bird look like a genius in the face of all of the doubters, especially the ones who said that Dahntay was not worth the money and Tyler couldn't succeed in the NBA. Sure, Hansbourgh got blocked and stuff, but he's doing things that make this team a) fun to watch and b) win.

4 IN A ROW. LOVIN IT

wow jones and granger absolutely amazing!