NSS Week Two Recap | North Station Sports

NSS Week Two Recap
November 10, 2009 by Nick Gelso

The Celtics are 7-1

Week two presented the Celtics with their first challenge of this infant NBA season. Playing 5 games in 7 night, the C’s started off strong with big wins against the Hornets (87-97) and Sixers(105-74). The three games that followed offered fans their first chance to hold their breath. The first loss of the season came against Phoenix (110-103) at the Garden and was sandwiched by squeaker victories in Minnesota (92-90) and New Jersey (86-76).

Two Back to back sessions took their toll on the Celtics veteran legs forcing me to think Doc may definetaly have to adopt Spurs coach Popavich’s strategy of resting the vets on consecutive game nights.

The Big Three + Sheed played very inconsistent during this stretch. Alternating players succeeded in one outing and struggled in the next furthering my argument that back to back’s must be subject to Doc’s discretion regarding playing time. Of course, it’s WAY too early to think about resting players but it is a topic that must be addressed sooner then later.

There are some positives!

Our lone loss came to the surprising Phoenix Suns as they put on a shooting clinic at the Garden becoming the first team to challenge the C’s defensive dominance.

Rajon Rondo finally came to a deal with the C’s and will remain in green for, at least, 5 more years. Proving he is worth every bit of his new contract, Rondo has nearly averaged a double-double (10.6 ppg, 9 apg) and showed off his new look jumper on more then one occasion. His only (big) draw back has continued to be his free throw shooting– 37%(???).

Though, this week, the Celtics gave up over 80 points for the first time this season, they are still holding opponents to 42 percent from the field while dominating their opponents in every category.

All in all, though or record was 4-1, bench struggles, sloppy offense and lack of intensity in the final 3 games, made for a very frustrating week for Celtics fans.

Week Two Games:

Sunday, November 1st vs Hornets, W 87-97

Tuesday, November 3rd @ 76ers, W 105-74

Wednesday, November 4th @ Timberwolves, W 92-90

Friday, November 6th vs Phoenix, L 110-103

Saturday, November 7th @ Nets, W 86-76

What’s ahead in week three:

As week three begins, the Celtics are looking forward to playing only 3 games and having plenty of rest and recoop time in practice. Two of the three games are at home. This will be a good opportunity to get Boston’s offensive game back on track.

Wednesday, November 11th vs Jazz

Friday, November 13th vs Hawks

Saturday, November 14th@ Pacers

Take a look back at Week One.