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G9 @Boston – Preview
Posted by: KCJones on November 14th, 2012
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Rondo-monster & Co. tonight. The parquet floors at the Boston Garden, that smug little leprechaun and those green shamrocks. The former team of one Al Jefferson, where he spent his first three seasons after being drafted by them.
First and foremost is the threat of one Rajon Rondo. He’s got attitude and ego and a passing game to match. He’s averaging a league-best 12.9 assists per game. He’s at 31 straight games with 10 assists or more, closing in on John Stockton’s record of 37 straight games. For a long time his weakness has been his jump shooting, but he’s learned when to take that shot (when teams leave him wide open), and he’s great at penetrating to the hoop. So far this year he’s shooting 53%. PGs who can penetrate and pass are the Jazz Kryptonite ever since Al has set up camp in the Jazz’ painted area.
The next player to watch is the biggest punk player of the league: Kevin Garnett. This guy needs a Karl Malone knockout elbow to the noggin. He’s the type of player that only one team’s fans like–his own.
Jason Terry and Paul Pierce are two threats from the outside, a great complement to a penetrating/passing PG. Honestly, they scare me. Did you see how many wide open shots the Jazz let the Lakers and other teams shoot? The Lakers didn’t make em, but Terry and Pierce will knock those same looks down. We’ll need to stay on those guys.
Last of all, Doc Rivers is a great coach. He’ll be sure to exploit our weaknesses.
Similar to the Jazz this season, the Celtics offensive attack is very balanced, with all five of their starters averaging double figures. The Jazz haven’t fared well in Boston over the last three years, having lost each time. The last time we won in Boston was in the D-Will / Boozer era in 2008-09.
Given our road results this year, the penetrating / passing PG problem that Rondo creates, and having played a 3OT game against Toronto, I’m a little bit leery going into this game. I would love to see Favors on Garnett all game. Or let Kanter bruise him up a bit. They would also help with guarding the P&R that will be run with Rondo and Garnett. But what we’ll probably see is Al Jefferson vs. Garnett (= he’ll struggle). Brandon Bass is another Millsap clone, so that will be an interesting matchup to watch. Maybe with Millsap’s newfound range, we can force Bass to guard him out on the perimeter and open things up a bit more. I’m hoping our three-point shooters are ready to go tonight. I’d consider a win by the Jazz an upset, but that’s what I’m hoping for! Let’s go Jazz!
Replies: 3
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3 Responses
I think you nailed an important aspect KC: Al always get bullied by KG!! And yes KG is a punk and a bully but no one stands up to him?! So he just keeps going on. Hahaha I would love a Mailman expressed delivered elbow smash to KG!! But unfortunately we have “Big” Al.
Tonight when Al is getting bullied and KG is jawing and being physical and out manning Al, ask yourselves if you think Al is a championship center? If Al is gonna play tough when the Jazz get punched in the mouth in the playoffs? If Al gonna protect the paint and send a message when a message needs to be sent??? I expect Al to back down take a ton of outside shots, looking to the refs for help, getting taken into the blender by Rondo, and not box out all night ….and to get 34 minutes.
Im also worried about Terry, he usually goes off against Jazz. Bradley and Lee’s D is going to kill Tinsley, I see back possession and turnovers. I see Terry and especially Barbosa lighting up Foye who is looking more and more like a bad defender (he probably wont shot well cuz all Celtic guards can D up).
Are only good chance depends on how many minutes Favors gets, and if the Jazz are able to penetrate. Rondo plays a lot of minutes so the more time Al and Tinsley get the worse our chances of winning are. Oh ya and Doc vs. Corbin is a real disadvantage. This game is going to be a fight. Do the Jazz show up is the question???
Bradley is still out because of his shoulder injury. If Paul plays the three I think he will get burned by pierce. This is not a good matchup for the big lineup.
@Omar – I think the Rivers/Corbin match-up is worse for us than the Garnett/Jefferson match-up. At least Al wont play the full 48 and design the ‘gameplan.’