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Game Preview: Celtics at Rockets (Preseason)
 |
vs. |  |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | Record | 0-0 |
| 95.7 | PPG | 0.0 |
| 90.9 | PPGA | 0.0 |
| 45.3 | FG% | 0.0 |
| 45.1 | Opp. FG% | 0.0 |
| 38.8 | Rebounds | 0.0 |
| 18.3 | Assists | 0.0 |
| 12.5 | Turnovers | 0.0 |
| 7.2 | Steals | 0.0 |
| 4.7 | Blocks | 0.0 |
| Point Guard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Aaron Brooks |
Rajon Rondo | ||
| Shooting Guard | |||
Trevor Ariza |
Ray Allen | ||
| Small Forward | |||
Chase Budinger |
Paul Pierce | ||
| Power Forward | |||
Luis Scola |
Kevin Garnett | ||
| Center | |||
Chuck Hayes |
Kendrick Perkins | ||
| Sixth Man | |||
Carl Landry |
Rasheed Wallace | ||
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Toyota Center, 8:30 p.m.
TV: CSN New England
RADIO: WEEI 850 AM
BOSTON -- The Celtics opened training camp last Tuesday in Newport, RI, and all they've seen since then is green. At 8:30 p.m. tonight in Houston, the Celtics will finally get to see another color -- red -- when they tip off their eight-game preseason schedule against the Houston Rockets in Hidalgo, TX.
Preseason basketball is about as unpredictable as it gets and is a far cry from an indicator of things to come. The rotation of players for each game is much longer than usual and no one outside of the locker room really knows what to expect as far as playing time. At the same time, performance varies drastically from what will eventually happen in the regular season, as playing time (or the lack thereof) will impact player statistics and team achievements.
Make no mistake about it, the preseason is still important. It allows players to get their game-speed timing back, gives them a chance to adjust to new systems and also to develop chemistry with new acquisitions. This is the time when teams gel and prepare themselves for the grueling 82-game regular season schedule that's right around the corner.
Here are a couple keys to look out for tonight.
KG's Comeback Starts Tonight
The Celtics will be welcoming back their emotional leader in Kevin Garnett, who hasn't played in an NBA game since March 25 of last season.
Garnett's injury damaged the Celtics' chances of repeating as NBA champions in 2009, but that disappointing postseason is now in the rearview mirror. His defensive prowess and offensive repertoire give Boston dimensions that no other team in the league can offer. If he can return to full strength as anticipated by team doctors, he'll be a driving force in putting the Celtics back in contention for the title. Although he'll most likely see limited action tonight, this is step one of that process.
New Arrivals
Tonight will also be game one of Rasheed Wallace's and Marquis Daniels' careers wearing Celtics green. The two key offseason acquisitions were brought in to give Boston the depth they lacked last season and should see a decent amount of playing time tonight. All signs are pointing toward Wallace being the first big man off the bench and Daniels being the main backup for both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Fans will be able to get their first taste of how these two will fit in with their new team against the stingy defensive unit Houston will put on the floor tonight.
On the other side of the ball, Rockets fans will have their second opportunity to watch their new additions in action. Trevor Ariza, who bolted from Los Angeles following the Lakers' championship run last season, was Houston's big-name acquisition this summer. He is a prime defensive stopper and signed with Houston so that he could be featured in their offense. He made only three of his nine shots last night but shouldn't shy away from putting up field goal attempts tonight.
Possibly the most underrated player of the 2009 NBA Draft was Chase Budinger, who was selected with the 44th overall pick by Detroit before he was shipped out to Houston. Budinger, who played college ball at Arizona, had flirted with the NBA Draft the past two years and finally took the plunge in 2009. He's an extremely athletic forward who stands 6-foot-7 and can shoot the ball from nearly anywhere on the court. He's often been given lofty comparisons to Larry Bird, which seems pop up as a result of their similar looks and playing style. Budinger has a long way to validate such comparisons, but certainly has potential. He scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting in his first live NBA game last night.
Timing and Chemistry
Boston is known for their chemistry at both ends of the court, but tonight they'll probably be behind the eight ball. Houston already has a game under their belt, a 99-85 win over San Antonio, and played very well at both ends of the court. The Rockets are looking to push the tempo of their offense this season with Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza on the wings and they were impressively efficient in doing so against a Spurs team that rested four of their top players.
The C's are entering their first game of the preseason so they should have a little bit of rust on their gears. It doesn't help that their attempt at a full-speed intrasquad scrimmage was cut short Saturday evening due to a wet floor in Newport. Still, with such a veteran-laden roster, Boston should be ready to play at a high level when the ball is tossed for tip off.
