The Celtics have had a great preseason. They went 7-1, and won in impressive fashion, the best example being the final preseason game against the Nets, in which they won 107-92. Sounds like they had no trouble right? WRONG!!! They went down 12 in the first quarter, 27-15. The second quarter was close with the Celtics having a slight edge. During halftime, something must have clicked for the Celtics, for they stunned the Nets in their tracks. They outscored them by 20 points! The Celtics overcame the deficit, and the final score in the 3rd Quarter was 36-16! That's a whole lot of points in one quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics blew the game open, and never looked back. They won 107-92.
In the sixth preseason game, the Celtics played the New York Knicks, and defeated them by a solid score of 97-84. During the first 2 quarters, the score was relatively even. At halftime, the Celtics were trailing by 1 point. But the Celtics came out strong in the 3rd quarter, and took the lead. They extended and held that lead in the fourth quarter, and beat the Knicks for the second time this preseason.
On October 15, the Celtics challenged the Toronto Raptors, and defeated them in a shotout by the score of 117-112. The surging Celtics absolutly CRUSHED the Raptors in the 1st, 2ond, and 3rd quarters, defeating them 29-10 in the first, 31-23 in the second, and 41-30 in the third. The Raptors had no chance to defend themselves against the Celtics offense. They tried to come back in the fourth, and nearly did, but fell by 5 points. The Raptors annialated the Celtics defense in the fourth quarter, and thrashed them 39-16. But, look at the scoreboard, and you will see a win for the Celtics.
A couple days before defeating the Raptors, the Celtics marched into New York, hoping to get another win. The first quarter was very close, the Knicks edging the Celtics 26-25. In the second quarter, the Knicks extended their lead to 5, defeating the Celtics 30-26, and went into halftime with a five point lead. In the third quarter, the score was knotted 26-26, and the Knicks were still up by five. However, the Knicks pulled ahead in the 3rd quarter to take a ten point lead, before the Celtics reduced it to 5. In the fourth quarter, the Knicks opened the game up to take a 12 point lead. However, in 3 minutes, the Celtics tied the game with a 14-2 scoring run. Then, the game was tied going into the final minute. When the score was 101-102 Celtics, Paul Pierce finished the Knicks off with his famous fall-away. The Celtics got the win they wanted and beat the Knicks, 104-101.
On October 12, the day before the Celtics edged out the Knicks, the Celtics went to Philidelphia to try and defeat the 76ers. Here is the twist; the Celtics didn't play their starters! Philly took control in the first quarter, jumping out to a 5 point lead. But, heading into the locker room, the Celtics were ahead by one. The third quarter was close as well, but heading into the fourth quarter, the 76ers were up by 2. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics struggled. They let up a 10 run lead, and could claw back. They ended up losing, 103-92.
On the 10th of October, the Celtics hosted the new-look Raptors. The Celtics were facing the Raptors for the first time since Chris Bosh signed with the Heat. They led by a good seven points at the half. The Celtics stuggled in the third quarter, the Raptors even leading by a few. But, the Celtics took the lead back and were leading again by 3 points. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics maintained their lead, and ended up winning 91-87.
On October 7th, the Celtics challenged the Nets for the first time. The defense looked very ugly in the first quarter, and the offense sputtered. The Nets took the early first quarter lead 28-19. The Celtics bounced back in the second quarter, and scored an astounding 37 points! They led at halftime by a score of 56- 54. They took a 8 point lead after the third quarter, thanks to solid defense. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics held the Nets back, and ended up with the victory, 96-92.
In the first preseason game on October 6, the Celtics saw exactly what they wanted as they hosted the 76ers. The new team performed amazing in the first quarter. Well, their defense did, for they only held the 76ers to just 9 points. The 76ers didn't do badly, for they only allowed 19 points. The 9 points on offense for the 76ers is simply horrendous. In the second quarter, the defense only held the struggling 76ers to 13 points. The offense blew up for thirty points, and the Celtics took a commanding lead, 49-22 into the half. Never in my life have I ever seen or heard of a team only scoring 22 points in a half. I know it's preseason, but the Celtics D had a stranglehold on the 76ers in the first half. You just knew they were in control. In the third quarter, the Celtics kept the 76ers at bay, winning the quarter 21-18. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics just needed to protect a 30 point lead. Could they do it? Well if they couldn't it would be embarrasing. But, the Celtics held the 76ers back, and won easily 93-65. What a great way to start the preseason.
Injury Report after the Celtics defeat Nets:
Jermaine O'Neal- His back and wrist may not heal before the start of the season. He has probably lost his starting job. Coach Rivers said it himself," He has not had the preseason we have wanted him to have."
Shaquille O'Neal- Now, this looks like trouble, but the trainers are just being caustious (hopefully). Shaq has been having back problems, but unless we hear it gets more serious, you do not have to worry.
Marquis is back, Delonte will return to practice today (suspension for West), so there isn't much concern for the Celtics other then Jermaine O'Neal's status for opening day.
BRING ON THE HEAT!!!
for the record, this took me an hour!
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