By Joseph Landini
New England Sports Journal
October 17, 2013
http://www.newenglandsportsjournal.com/2013/10/boston-celtics/pierce-nets-edge-celtics-in-preseason-match-up/
BROOKLYN, N.Y. –Tuesday night the Boston Celtics took their preseason on the
road, heading south to Brooklyn. Since the regular season is swiftly
approaching, many of the Nets players sat this one out in preparation. However,
one familiar face took to the court against his former team for the first time
in the Nets’ 82-80 win over the C’s.
Long-time former Celtics forward Paul Pierce, suited up in white and black
for the first time in his career. Pierce scored just four points in his 27
minutes on the floor. He finished one of six, his only basket in the game a
layup with 6.2 seconds left in the second. Pierce did however, notch five
assists. Not only was it strange for Celtics fans to see Pierce in a Nets
jersey, but the 36-year-old was a little uneasy about it as well.
“It was a little weird looking over and seeing all the green uniforms,”
Pierce said. “I’m used to lining up in the green and white for so long.”
Pierce was the face of the Boston Celtics franchise for 15 years. In those
years Pierce registered 21.8 points, six rebounds, and 3.9 assists. The ten-time
NBA All Star, with a little help from Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, brought
Boston their first and only NBA Championship since the new millennium. In the
2008, Pierce was named MVP of the NBA Finals and will always be known to Celtics
fans for his heart, passion and countless clutch performances.
Another familiar face, former Celtics center/power forward Kevin Garnett, was
benched Tuesday night for a scheduled day off. The Nets have back-to-back games
and don’t want to tire out their vets in the preseason. Nets head coach
Jason Kidd said Garnett’s night off was a “reward” for his good work during the
preseason. Kidd did the same with Pierce earlier in the week during the Nets’
match-up against Philadelphia.
Courtney Lee led the Celtics with 14 points, but missed a key jumper at the
end of the game that would’ve tied things up.
Garnett, Pierce and Jason Terry were traded to Brooklyn on June 28 in
exchange for Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans, Kris
Joseph and future draft selections.
Mark your calendars: The official “return” of Pierce and Garnett to the TD
Garden is Jan. 26.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Pressey impresses, but Celtics fall late to Knicks
By Joseph Landini
New England Sports Journal
October 10, 2013
http://www.newenglandsportsjournal.com/2013/10/boston-celtics/pressey-impresses-but-celtics-fall-late-to-knicks/
Preseason Game 2: New York Knicks 103- Boston Celtics 102
Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.
Quick Game Notes:- Celtics Guard MarShon Brooks returned to his college home of Providence, where he led the Big East in scoring his senior year. Brooks finished the game with 8 points on 3-6 shooting.
- Celtics Guard Jordan Crawford did not make the trip due to a death in the family.
- Celtics trailed the Knicks 79-65 after the 3rd Quarter.
- Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, Gerald Wallace, Avery Bradley, and Courtney Lee were the starters. Kris Humphries and Jeff Green came off the bench after starting the first preseason game vs the Raptors.
Celtics MVP of game: Phil PresseyBeing given the chance by making the training camp roster, Pressey did not disappoint. Pressey put in a 13 point effort to go along with dishing out seven assists. Along with being efficient on offense, Pressey was putting in the work on the defensive side of the ball as well tallying two steals as well. With a log jam at the guard positions, Pressey is taking the right steps in order to make the Celtics.
What the Celtics did well: Resilience
Although this is a preseason game, the young Celtics looked hungry come the fourth quarter. After giving up 34 points in the third and being down 14 going into the final quarter, the Celtics rallied back. Boston scored 37 points in the final period, and even grabbing the lead with a Pressey layup with 22 seconds to go. Although coming up short, the Celtics showed a never say die attitude, which will likely carry over into the regular season.
What the Celtics can improve on: DefenseThe defensive side of the ball was a flaw. The Knicks were able to shoot the ball over 50% in their first game of the year, which is alarming because rust from no games should show. Knicks guards Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr were able to shoot a combined 13-17, 6-8 from beyond the arc. With the NBA becoming more of a scoring and shooting league, the Celtics will need to improve on this.
Who’s next?The Celtics will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, Oct. 11 The game will be played at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of Delaware University.
For full box score please visit: http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400491519
New England Sports Journal
October 10, 2013
http://www.newenglandsportsjournal.com/2013/10/boston-celtics/pressey-impresses-but-celtics-fall-late-to-knicks/
Preseason Game 2: New York Knicks 103- Boston Celtics 102
Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.
Quick Game Notes:- Celtics Guard MarShon Brooks returned to his college home of Providence, where he led the Big East in scoring his senior year. Brooks finished the game with 8 points on 3-6 shooting.
- Celtics Guard Jordan Crawford did not make the trip due to a death in the family.
- Celtics trailed the Knicks 79-65 after the 3rd Quarter.
- Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger, Gerald Wallace, Avery Bradley, and Courtney Lee were the starters. Kris Humphries and Jeff Green came off the bench after starting the first preseason game vs the Raptors.
Celtics MVP of game: Phil PresseyBeing given the chance by making the training camp roster, Pressey did not disappoint. Pressey put in a 13 point effort to go along with dishing out seven assists. Along with being efficient on offense, Pressey was putting in the work on the defensive side of the ball as well tallying two steals as well. With a log jam at the guard positions, Pressey is taking the right steps in order to make the Celtics.
What the Celtics did well: Resilience
Although this is a preseason game, the young Celtics looked hungry come the fourth quarter. After giving up 34 points in the third and being down 14 going into the final quarter, the Celtics rallied back. Boston scored 37 points in the final period, and even grabbing the lead with a Pressey layup with 22 seconds to go. Although coming up short, the Celtics showed a never say die attitude, which will likely carry over into the regular season.
What the Celtics can improve on: DefenseThe defensive side of the ball was a flaw. The Knicks were able to shoot the ball over 50% in their first game of the year, which is alarming because rust from no games should show. Knicks guards Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr were able to shoot a combined 13-17, 6-8 from beyond the arc. With the NBA becoming more of a scoring and shooting league, the Celtics will need to improve on this.
Who’s next?The Celtics will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, Oct. 11 The game will be played at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of Delaware University.
For full box score please visit: http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400491519
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