Posted:
#1
Saw a lot of Boston backers in here and thought I should take a deeper look into today's matchup. No offense to Boston backers as I am a Boston fan and live there as well.
The last matchup between these two is something I had to ignore. Why? The reason being is that Rondo had 16 assists in that matchup and he is injured. So I decided to look at their matchup in February of 2012 to take a more realistic approach. Again this is just my opinion. I personally don't feel anyone can make up for his absense in this matchup. 16 assists accounts for 32 points and points in the paint will not be easy to come by without him against OKC interior defense. OKC leads Boston in virtually every category(ppg, FT's FG%) on offense plus holds the edge off the glass. While Boston may hold the edge on defense OKC defense is no fluke and their speed and athleticism may have them looking like the better defensive team tonight. I decided to look at the 2012 matchup because Rondo missed that game. While Ray Allen was with the team then I feel Green more than makes up for his absense. Ray had around 20 points in that matchup. Bradley also played and the Celtics lost 119-104 as 8.5 road dogs. Harden was also with the team. He scored 17 but I think the combination of Martin and Jackson make up for his absense as well. OKC biggest lead in that game was 27. They had 50 points in the paint to Boston's 36 and 27 fast break points to Boston's 21. Neither team was on a b2b in that matchup. The Celtics rank in the bottom 10 in rebounding(offense and defense) and 18th in ppg. I think OKC is the better 4th quarter team at home compared to Boston's 4th quarter play on the road regardless of their recent surge. The Celtics troubles come mostly against high octane offenses in the league on the road. The Thunder are laying 10.5 here for a reason. The speed of Westbrook will be a factor and Sefolosha and Durant should be able to slow down Green and Pierce. Terry may have a difficult time off the bench against someone as physical as Fisher. And I dont see Bradley and Lee having a bigger game than Westbrook and Martin.
OKC -10.5
Over 200.5
Bol.
The last matchup between these two is something I had to ignore. Why? The reason being is that Rondo had 16 assists in that matchup and he is injured. So I decided to look at their matchup in February of 2012 to take a more realistic approach. Again this is just my opinion. I personally don't feel anyone can make up for his absense in this matchup. 16 assists accounts for 32 points and points in the paint will not be easy to come by without him against OKC interior defense. OKC leads Boston in virtually every category(ppg, FT's FG%) on offense plus holds the edge off the glass. While Boston may hold the edge on defense OKC defense is no fluke and their speed and athleticism may have them looking like the better defensive team tonight. I decided to look at the 2012 matchup because Rondo missed that game. While Ray Allen was with the team then I feel Green more than makes up for his absense. Ray had around 20 points in that matchup. Bradley also played and the Celtics lost 119-104 as 8.5 road dogs. Harden was also with the team. He scored 17 but I think the combination of Martin and Jackson make up for his absense as well. OKC biggest lead in that game was 27. They had 50 points in the paint to Boston's 36 and 27 fast break points to Boston's 21. Neither team was on a b2b in that matchup. The Celtics rank in the bottom 10 in rebounding(offense and defense) and 18th in ppg. I think OKC is the better 4th quarter team at home compared to Boston's 4th quarter play on the road regardless of their recent surge. The Celtics troubles come mostly against high octane offenses in the league on the road. The Thunder are laying 10.5 here for a reason. The speed of Westbrook will be a factor and Sefolosha and Durant should be able to slow down Green and Pierce. Terry may have a difficult time off the bench against someone as physical as Fisher. And I dont see Bradley and Lee having a bigger game than Westbrook and Martin.
OKC -10.5
Over 200.5
Bol.
“A Fool And His Money Are Soon Parted” -Thomas Tusser 1557
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