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Would love to steal atleast one of the 2 games aganist them.

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This is on national television so regardless of being without Kyrie and Caris we have to put on a good showing. A huge game from Spencer and a win would propel him into All Star ballot conversations.

Similar to storming back to take the lead in a game, getting above .500 is often tougher than staying there. We’re getting big contributions from our PG and C, but not the ones we spent big money to sign this summer. We’ve weathered injuries and adjustments due to personnel, bounced back from frustrating losses and dug deep for thrilling victories. Now we face our toughest opponents of the season: OURSELVES! Truly, the Celtics are heavily comprised of players who could have been ours, if not for the well-meaning, ill-fated trade. Oh well, they’ve waxed and waned from our generosity, and we’ve rebuilt better than ever for the long-term. No letting go, no turning back. Boston have cooled after a red-hot start to the season, and are battling their own rash of injuries, but are charged up and want to knock their divisional “little brother” down a peg. Let’s get into it:

JARRETT ALLEN VS. DANIEL THEIS – Jarrett can boast a statistical advantage here, but Daniel has quietly been a rock-solid contributor. It’ll take more than highlight plays from our wunderkind C to win this matchup. I trust him to win those 50/50 balls and out-hustle his competitor.

TAUREAN PRINCE VS. JAYSON TATUM – Despite the disparity in talent, their games are similar. Both can heat up in a hurry, and suffer scoring droughts just as quickly. Jayson’s defense has been more solid than Prince’s, and the former Blue Devil’s ability to read a defense with passes is what sets him apart at his position. Taurean cannot outduel Tatum, but he needs to keep up with him and stay within his strengths.

JOE HARRIS VS. JAYLEN BROWN – Harris has stepped up his defense lately, a part of our game that frankly was holding us back at the start of the season. His shot is not falling right now, but I’m not worried; he’s shooting within the flow of the offense, with confidence. Make or miss, it still achieves the desired effect of gravitating a defense and freeing up our lesser role players. Let it fly, Joe! He generally struggles the most against elite athletes, and unfortunately, Jaylen is one. If Brown stays aggressive early, I could see foul trouble dogging Mr. Buckets all night.

GARRETT TEMPLE VS. MARCUS SMART – what a peculiar matchup. Boston may elect to stick Smart on his USA teammate / BFF Harris, or may even utilize him to cool down Spencer. Even without a big-time primary defensive assignment, Marcus has a huge impact on that end of the floor for the team in general. He calls out switches, take charges, and generates steals at a high rate without gambling in passing lanes. Garrett should continue to soak up PT, be a menace to opposing ball-handlers and be the kickout safety valve option from long range.

SPENCER DINWIDDIE VS. KEMBA WALKER – A concussion as was initially reported (or as the Celtics have mis-diagnosed updated, “neck strain”) is no joke. If he plays, this will be Kemba’s first game back since suffering friendly fire from Semi Ojeleye’s six-pack. Regardless of the game’s outcome, from a human perspective, I hope he’s alright. The C’s have a Warrior-like front office mentality for players to return from injury, and I’m not always sure it’s in the best long-term interest of the player. When he’s healthy, Kemba is one of the best playmakers in the league, and has fit in seamlessly with the rest of the squad. Spencer is coming out of the ashes of our early-season struggles, to play the best ball of his career. At this moment in time, he’s a top-20 player in the league. How long can he maintain that level of performance? That’s anyone’s guess, but I’m along for the ride. The tipping point in this duel might be footwork, and not necessarily from either of the guards. Will their bigmen set hard, alley-opening picks for their star playmakers? Or will the refs continue to tighten up on the league’s point of emphasis, and hand out illegal screen offensive fouls like Halloween candy?

We will have to hope that DJ is recovered, because Enes Kanter is something of a Nets-killer. Beyond that, they have efficient, young bruisers up and down the 2nd unit. We’re going to need to put on our hardhats in order not to let the game get out of hand. Unfortunately, I see it slipping away here. Shump has added a spark of toughness and tenacity, but are Nic and Dzanan ready for this smoke? He-who-shall-not-be-named had an OK-ish game against the Cavs running our offense, but this is a whole ‘nother level. Our bench has some potential, but we don’t work as a cohesive unit, and this season’s Celtics reserves feast on ill-disciplined backups.

Brad Stevens is a tactical savant. Our man Kenny is pretty crafty, and he’s the right man for the job here. Still, I see his counterpart serving Atkinson a heaping helping of humble pie for this pre-Thanksgiving clash.

PREDICTION: NETS 84, CELTICS 106

Sports media in full cringe mode covering Celtics/Kyrie recently.

The Boston fans didn't even wait until tipoff, let alone Kyrie's return, to go as low-class as possible:

https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kyrie-irving-coward-flyers-up-across-td-garden/

Now, I hope we find a way to win it in Beantown. I respect the heck out of the team itself, but the front office and the fanbase are cancelled.

ecuhus1981 wrote:The Boston fans didn't even wait until tipoff, let alone Kyrie's return, to go as low-class as possible:

https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-kyrie-irving-coward-flyers-up-across-td-garden/

Now, I hope we find a way to win it in Beantown. I respect the heck out of the team itself, but the front office and the fanbase are cancelled.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2019/11/27/kyrie-irving-celtics-nets

Celtics fans: "We're obsessed? Nahhh, we're doing so well and are totally not thinking about Kyrie more than our own team"

Celtics fan posting Kyrie posters saying coward are so pathetic.

As if Kyrie is missing 7 games on purpose so he doesn't have to play their stupid team. Complete lunatics.

He's been living in their heads all season rent free. They're literally crying cause they can't boo him.

Hello Brooklyn wrote:As if Kyrie is missing 7 games on purpose so he doesn't have to play their stupid team. Complete lunatics.

That was my impression too! It's an astounding level of self-centeredness. He's gonna miss two weeks' worth of games, just so that not playing in Boston will look more plausible? The entire universe must revolve around them too, in their minds!

By that logic, did Kemba run into his teammates stomach, just so he wouldn't have to face his hometown team? I hear X-Files theme music in the background...

I hope this team rallies around Kyrie same way Kenyon, RJ, and rest of that Nets team rallied around Kidd in that playoff series.

But the proper way to deal with this is to treat it as just another game.

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Why we not getting this game on Yes? If they'll put Reggie to do this game I'm going to be really pissed.

GTR11 wrote:Why we not getting this game on Yes? If they'll put Reggie to do this game I'm going to be really pissed.

Just what happens when games are televised nationally. I hate when I watch the Yanks and Joe Buck and/or John Smoltz are doing the game.

Wtf ESPN...

The game is on ESPN 2 right now.

The game is on ESPN 2

It's on ESPN 2.

Lol at Kyrie sucks chants and he’s not there.

Rent free.

I like how we match up against them

Btw, the Celtics have the best old school jerseys in the league. This New Jersey is absolutely terrible.

The Boston Hogwarts Celtics.

Great pick and roll by Jarrett!