Celtics vs. Nuggets 12/26

AI should be in the starting lineup for this one...

Can't wait to see this one, A.I and Mello in the same line-up. Carmello leads the leauge in points scored in the paint, and A.I can rack up the assists when he wants to, this could be a very scary team once Mello can adjust to the role of being a primary big man.

Melo won't be playing in this one....he's got 14 games left on his suspension at this point... He's a small forward too, so I wouldn't call him a "primary big man" but with AI there he will probably find himself around the bucket a bit more.

Yea but with Nene always struggling with injuries Mello has been the Nuggs primary big. They use him to post up alot and he leads the leauge in points scored in the paint. and he posts up as well as anyone. I wasnt sure if he appealed his suspension or began serving it now.

at
PEPSI CENTER (19,155)

DECEMBER 26, 2006
9:00 Eastern Time

Probable Starters
Boston Celtics

PG: Telfair - PPG 8.5 RPG 1.70 APG 4.2 EFF + 9.20
SG: Allen - PPG 8.4 RPG 3.00 APG 1.1 EFF + 8.17
C: Jefferson - PPG 12.8 RPG 9.20 APG 0.9 EFF + 16.89
PF: Gomes - PPG 11.3 RPG 6.10 APG 2.2 EFF + 14.35
SF: Green - PPG 6.0 RPG 2.00 APG 0.8 EFF + 5.79

Denver Nuggets

PG: Iverson - PPG 30.6 RPG 2.70 APG 7.4 EFF + 23.31
SG: Diawara - PPG 5.3 RPG 2.00 APG 1.1 EFF + 4.68
C: Nene - PPG 6.4 RPG 5.20 APG 1.1 EFF + 8.64
PF: Najera - PPG 7.2 RPG 4.00 APG 0.8 EFF + 10.42
SF: Kleiza - PPG 3.6 RPG 2.00 APG 0.4 EFF + 2.90

Players out:
Denver:
Carmelo Anthony - Suspended
JR Smith - Suspended
Kenyon Martin - Knee Surgery
Marcus Camby - Day to Day, fractured finger
Earl Boykins - Probable, Hamstring strain

Celtics
Theo Ratliff - back injury
Paul Pierce - Stress reaction
Kendrick Perkins - Day to Day, Plantar Fasciitis
Wally Szczerbiak - Day to Day, sprained ankle
Michael Olowokandi - Probable, muscle tear

Key Matchups:
vs
Look for Iverson to dominate this game. He is looking to prove that Philly made a bad move to trade him and will want to impress his new team. Telfair has to play defense or it will be a long night.
vs
Al will have to look for his offense with Pierce being out and he will also need to defend in the paint.

The key to this game is DEFENSE!! We need to get stops as without Pierce and Wally we won't outscore them.

We also need to take care of the ball as we have been turning it over way too much.

Wally and Perk may be back for Wednesday's game but I don't expect them to play against Denver. Kandi is a probable for the game.

Looks good FLCeltsFan

You put that together yourself? If so, you're more than welcome to take control of putting together the gameday threads if you want. If not, then you can just add those to the threads I start for each game like you did with this one. Let me know.

Yes, I put it together myself. I post the game thread on another forum and usually do it the day before the game. I had it all done last night and figured I would just add it here too. If you want I can post them here every game also. I try to make them a little different each time to keep it interesting.

Sounds good. You can just add it to the thread I make if it's all ready up, and if not, feel free to start the thread yourself.

I'd really like to see Al have a big game up against Nene. I think that's a matchup the C's should really take advantage of. Nene is overmatched here, lets bring out the beast in Al!

p.s. Lately am I the only one getting Al and AI confused in threads? There has been so much AI discussion on celtics boards lately that I have to look closely any time Al or AI is posted to make sure I see who is being talked about, the letters are too similar!

Update: Delonte will start tonight at the Point. I tried to find a way to edit my game thread but couldn't find one. So here is the update

PG: Delonte West PPG 8.6 RPG 2.40 APG 3.1 EFF + 8.62

FLCeltsFan wrote:Update: Delonte will start tonight at the Point. I tried to find a way to edit my game thread but couldn't find one.

There should be an edit button at the top right of your post...do you not have one for each of your posts?

FLCeltsFan wrote:Update: Delonte will start tonight at the Point. I tried to find a way to edit my game thread but couldn't find one. So here is the update

PG: Delonte West PPG 8.6 RPG 2.40 APG 3.1 EFF + 8.62

This is interesting...Why Delonte??

I say why not mix things up a bit...?

QuenteK25 wrote:I say why not mix things up a bit...?

I am not against mixing it up a bit ... okay a lot

Curious timing though. If Telfair is not hurt, the windows of possibility is certainly open

QuenteK25 wrote:

FLCeltsFan wrote:Update: Delonte will start tonight at the Point. I tried to find a way to edit my game thread but couldn't find one.

There should be an edit button at the top right of your post...do you not have one for each of your posts?

I have one now but I didn't when I made that post. Very curious. I swear sometimes my computer is possessed. Or maybe it is just AOL. Who knows.

Baloo wrote:
This is interesting...Why Delonte??

I believe it is for his defense. Telfair is quick enough to stay with Iverson, but doesn't seem to be able to stop anyone on defense. In the past, Delonte has played Iverson very well defensively. Rondo is actually our best defender but I think they want the experience that Delonte brings.

Yea well with about 40 seconds left until halftime Delonte literally almost smashed his face in on the backboard. This is a very physical game tonight and at the start our defense looked real good. I like the hard fouls and the physical play, but someone needs to take over and start shooting the ball. Id like to see Gerald get in a groove in the second half. A.I looks good runnin the point and is killing our PG's with his speed. Where in alot of foul trouble now at the Guard position so we'll need Big AL and Powe to position up and score some points in the paint, which should be an easier task with no Mello in there. If we keep it physical and fast like the 1st half, and someone can step up for us and start shooting, we can still win this one.

OH...AND I LOVE SEEING SCALABRINE DRIVIN TO THE HOOP...

Thanks for the update for those of us who can't watch the game.