[14-2] Brotherhood :: Lock here

[Azzdogs]

Good luck for the first week.
Paul Pierce: 20+ PPG on the week - 100 against it
Kevin Garnett: Double-double against Cleveland - 100 on it
Ray Allen: Double figures against Charlotte - 150 on it
Rajon Rondo: 10+ assists against Chicago - 150 on it

[kibaxx7]

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Pierce, KG lead Celtics past Cavaliers.
Boston duo combines for 44 points
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CLEVELAND, October 27 -- Paul Pierce had 24 points and four rebounds as the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 104-90, in the season opener for both teams. Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 13 rebounds for Boston. Pierce scored eight straight points in a 12-2 second-quarter run that sealed Boston's triumph. He made 9-of-16 field goals and also was 3-of-4 from 3-point territory. LeBron James had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Cleveland, Anthony Parker scored 14 and Maurice Williams had 11 points. The Cavaliers who trailed by 17 points at the half, drew within eight with 9:11 left in the third period on two quick 3-pointers (one by Parker and one by Williams) and a Daniel Gibson jumper, but then went scoreless for the next 3:16 as Boston pulled away once again.

The Celtics held Shaquille O'Neal mostly in check in his Cavs debut, smothered by Garnett inside the paint and out; O'Neal was 3-of-6 from the field and scored only 8 points and picked up three fouls in the third quarter -- including two within one minute during tussles with Garnett -- and played limited minutes in the fourth quarter. In his Celtics baptism, Rasheed Wallace scored 16 points coming from the bench -- 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc -- , while Ray Allen had 10 and Kendrick Perkins added 8 and ten boards. “It was good for me. This kind of games give me a whole lot more confidence, and also didn't get any technicals, so I'm happy with my debut,” Wallace joked. Boston outscored Cleveland, 44-30.

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Rondo, Celtics cruise past Bobcats.
Boston puts on a 3-pointer show at home
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BOSTON, October 28 -- Rajon Rondo scored 23 points and ten assists and Eddie House added 21 from the bench to help the Boston Celtics beat the Charlotte Bobcats, 115-92 on Wednesday night. “We can't just show up and expect to win,” Bobcats' Flip Murray said. “It was a tough game. We played good at some stages, at the end it was just bad luck.” With five Celtics in double figures and their two point guards combining for 44 points, Boston was a model of offensive efficiency, as they drained the life out of Charlotte. Rondo shot 7-of-9, 2-of-2 from the 3-point land and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe, while House was 7-of-9 from the field, but 7-of-7 from 3-point territory. “We just got everyone involved tonight,” said Rondo. “We just tried to find the wide open guys and not force it. Everybody made the extra pass, that's how we won tonight.”

Rondo -- who only had 7 points against Cleveland -- had 16 of his 23 in the second half and Kevin Garnett added another double-double with 15 and 13 boards, and also five assists, for the Celtics. Stephen Jackson had a game-high 24 points and five assists but it wasn't enough for the Bobcats, who trailed by 9 at the half; the Celtics built an early lead and never allowed Charlotte to pull closer than 10 points in the whole contest once the lead was definitive. The team had timely buckets and aggressive defense. “House and Rondo, knocking down shots like that, it was a huge boost for them,” Tyson Chandler (10 points, 10 rebounds) said. Gerald Wallace's 3-pointer with 2:34 to play in the second quarter put the Bobcats down by 11, but Paul Pierce answered with a 3-pointer of his own for a huge momentum changer for Boston.

Wallace scored 16 points for Charlotte, but Boston threw multiple defenders at him and couldn't be a X-factor for the Bobcats. Jackson and Wallace were 16-for-26 from the floor (61.5%). “I didn't see this coming,” Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. “I thought our guys would respond better than this.” Bobcats' Nazr Mohammed featured a 8-0 run for Charlotte in the third quarter, scoring all of his 6 points and also getting 4 of his 7 rebounds in that stretch. The Celtics shot an overwhelming 14-of-17 from beyond the arc.

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Pierce breaks out as Celtics defeat Chicago.
Bulls bench outscores Boston's, 45-23; not enough.
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BOSTON, October 30 -- Paul Pierce's onslaught began right after the opening tip and never really ended. Rajon Rondo got in on it, too. The Boston Celtics struck early, then sweated it out at the end, hanging on for a 94-89 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Pierce scored 23 points and Rondo added 15 and a career-high 17 assists for Boston, which nearly blew a 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. It was down to four when Derrick Rose hit two free throws to pull Chicago within 91-87 with 18 seconds left. Ray Allen (12 points) answered with a 3-pointer, and Chicago's Jannero Pargo shot an airball but was fouled, and hit only one of two free throws, bringing the game to a wild conclusion. “We've got to know what the coverages are, we've got to know who the shooters are, we've got to find the shooters, we've got to know when to switch,” Rondo said. “We can't foul jump shooters. These are all mental errors that we've got to correct. We made some mistakes against Cleveland, but hopefully, we don't make those same mistakes on May and the playoffs come around.”

Kevin Garnett perked up and showed there's no any sign of his injuries from last season. He got a hot shooting streak early on and was 7-of-12, including his third double-double of the season: 15 points and 13 rebounds. Pierce was the leader for Boston while containing John Salmons (who led the Bulls with 19 points) and when he got double-teamed, he found the open teammate for an extra pass. “Pierce and Rondo were ready to go tonight. We didn't play well tonight. Give them all the credit,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. Kendrick Perkins added six points, nine rebounds and five blocks, and Eddie House scored only 5 points after his 21-point outburst against Charlotte. Bulls' Luol Deng, who was benched in favor of Tyrus Thomas (8 points) to start the second half, scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and also added five steals. “I was missing shots close to the basket on the first half. It's not like I was missing jump shots. I just have to do a better job finishing.” Boston shot a season-high 58.5% percent from the field.

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Betting Game Leaders
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• Paul Pierce: 20+ PPG on the week :: 1.5/1 :: Pierce averaged 20.3 PPG on 3 games.
• Kevin Garnett: Double-double against Cleveland :: 2.5/1 :: KG posted 20 and 13 in the win over the Cavs.
• Ray Allen: Double figures against Charlotte :: 2/1 :: Allen had a week-high 14 points against the Bobcats.
• Rajon Rondo: 10+ assists against Chicago :: 1.5/1 :: Rajon had in fact a career-high 17 assists against the Bulls.

One thing: For De8, you placed a bet on Pierce against Charlotte, the bet was about Pierce averaging over 20 for the whole week, so I did like you didn't bet, you still are with 500.

[Azzdogs]

Great opening week for the Celtics and a great week for me.

[|)e8*]

Oops didn't read properly

[Maree]

Nice job so far Thierry! I really didn't know that you make a lot of dynasties and stop. But I love your work. Sometimes text is too long but eventually it's worth of reading. Good job

And I'll try be active poster because I know how important replies are for you

[Martti.]

Well, the recap is still full of fancy graphics. Hope you keep this up.

[Lamrock]

You still have two-paragraph recaps for simmed games, but whatever, it looks nice. Not going to bother with the prediction game, but hopefully keep it up.

[kibaxx7]

Great opening week for the Celtics and a great week for me.

Thanks man, KG is a beast. You really nailed it with the bets.

Oops didn't read properly

No problem man, I'm posting a new series of bets tonight with the next week preview.

Nice job so far Thierry! I really didn't know that you make a lot of dynasties and stop. But I love your work. Sometimes text is too long but eventually it's worth of reading. Good job

And I'll try be active poster because I know how important replies are for you

I really did like 30 at least, none of them passing 18 games I heard a couple of times the text is too long, I don't know, may change it next time. Thanks a lot for dropping by.

Well, the recap is still full of fancy graphics. Hope you keep this up.

I would say is the least graphic layout I've done so far the only fancy graphics are the TV and the quarter breakdown. Loving it

You still have two-paragraph recaps for simmed games, but whatever, it looks nice. Not going to bother with the prediction game, but hopefully keep it up.

Thanks a lot Lamrock... hopefully you can still follow it when I hit the never-before reached 20 games mark Looking forward to have you on the prediction game by then. I'm really having fun with the C's, their Fantastic 4 is truly amazing.

[Lamrock]

Meh, just not really in to high-maintenance prediction games. I can live with playoff predictions, and maybe even monthly ones like in Nellieball, but I can't be bothered here. No offense meant.

I don't really care for the Celtics, but I love Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen came to my elementary school, so I like their backcourt. Though a starting five of Rondo, Pierce, Durant, Al Jeff and Perkins sounds pretty great

[dare]

Jesus is the only one I like in the Celtics, make him MVP Thierry. and I will be your no.1 follower

[kibaxx7]

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Boston Celtics Week Preview :: Week 2
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• After a sluggish finish to last season, the Celtics look refreshed and rejuvenated; Chris Paul and the Hornets look to provide a tougher test at Boston, while the Celtics will try to stay undefeated when the teams meet Sunday. Boston opened the season with a 104-90 victory at Cleveland and avoided any drama in its following contests, winning both games at home by an average of 14 points. Boston (3-0) defeated Charlotte 115-92 at TD Garden on Wednesday with Rajon Rondo scoring 23 points, then let offense do its job to cruise past Chicago on Friday, with Paul Pierce scoring 23 this time, Kevin Garnett posting his third double-double in as many games and Rondo adding a career-high 17 assists in a 94-89 victory. With six blocked shots in three contests, Garnett has helped Boston regain its dominant defense after he couldn't play the end of last season and the playoffs with knee issues. Since the start of the 2007-08 season, the Celtics are 72-12 at home in the regular season. Boston also swept the 2008-09 season series with an 89-77 road win in mid February.

New Orleans (1-1) will need to improve their collective play if they want to win at the TD Garden, especially after struggling to a 92-107 home loss against Sacramento on Friday. Jason Thompson scored a career-high 27 points for the Kings and rookie Tyreke Evans added 19 points and eight assists, while Paul was simply overwhelming, with 27 points, eleven rebounds, nine assists and four steals. Paul posted a triple-double in the Hornets opener (a 105-88 win at San Antonio), with 34, 10 and 10, shooting 15-of-20. David West added 20 and 12 boards in the win, but the team lost Emeka Okafor to a strained wrist, for at least a month. The off-season trade that sent Okafor to the Hornets was one that most viewed as a plus for the Hornets in merely in terms of consistency and durability, but didn't work out in their opener.


• Rondo's emergence for the Celtics has earned him a five-year extension by manager Danny Ainge. The 76ers, meanwhile, are pretty happy with Louis Williams; both point guards form an intriguing matchup of talented young floor leaders Tuesday night as the Sixers host Boston. Rondo has been one of the reasons Doc Rivers' team has had few problems during the season's first week. The Celtics swept the Sixers in the 2008-09 season series and is 4-0 at the Wachovia Center since trading for Garnett and Allen in 2007. The Celtics' two victories in Philadelphia last season -- both without KG -- came by a total of three points, with Pierce averaging 30.0 in those games.

Philadelphia (2-0) will likely have a tougher time offensively than they did during a 115-111 overtime win at Orlando, behind impressive efforts from Andre Iguodala (18 points, eight rebounds, eight dimes) and Williams (14 points in 17 minutes). Philadelphia shot 50 percent from the field. Two days later, Elton Brand and Iguodala combined for 43 points in the 76ers' 121-82 blowout win over Milwaukee. New Sixers coach Eddie Jordan brings with him just what this team needs: a system. Jordan's Princeton offense will give the Sixers structure offensively, keep them moving and put them in better position to score in the halfcourt. After losing in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, Philadelphia is hoping to make strides under Jordan and the comeback of Allen Iverson; a win over the Celtics would certainly help.


• Garnett is set to play at the Target Center for the second time as a visitor as the Celtics visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Boston, if wins against New Orleans and Philadelphia happen, will look to stay unbeaten. The Celtics, though, have the NBA's 3rd best scoring defense, holding opponents to 90.3 points per game (1st - Detroit, 85.5; 2nd - Oklahoma City, 89.0; both in two games) and also have the league's 4th best point differential (1st - Philadelphia, 21.5; 2nd - Golden State, 21.0; 3rd - New York, 17.5).

Garnett, the Wolves' all-time leader in virtually every category over 12 seasons with the organization, missed his first return in February (2008) due to an abdominal strain, but scored a team-high 17 in the Celtics's 95-78 triumph on November. Minnesota (0-2), which has lost five in a row against Boston, have low expectations beginning this season. The coaching staff and front-office executives are fine in terms of job security; they release any pressure to improve on last year's 24-58 mark. It also speaks to a certain honesty about the Wolves' modest aspirations and is maybe even a selling point, as the team is clearly rebuilding and looking forward to the free agency. The Wolves are coming off a 109-100 loss to Cleveland on Monday (Al Jefferson scoring 31 points, eight boards and five blocks, and Ramon Sessions racking up 17 points) and also lost to New Jersey, 107-93, in the opener for both teams (Jefferson posting 26 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes adding 17 points). Acquired from the Celtics in 2007 as part of the trade that sent Garnett to Boston, Jefferson has averaged 28.5 points this two games.


• The Celtics continue the week searching for a fourth straight lopsided win over the Suns, as Phoenix continues its road trip in Boston on Friday. Garnett's healthy comeback and the signing of Rasheed Wallace lead a group of contributing newcomers. Wallace (11.3 ppg off the bench) and fellow offseason acquisitions Marquis Daniels (3.3 ppg) and Shelden Williams (1.3 ppg) have supplemented Boston's veteran core of Garnett, Pierce and Allen, as the team tries to get back to the NBA Finals after winning its 17th NBA title in 2008. Boston began that season 8-0, and it has a favorable schedule for possibly an even better start: the C's next 10 games are either at home or against non-playoff teams from last year.

Despite finishing 46-36 last season, Phoenix (1-1) saw its run of four straight playoff appearances end after star forward Amare Stoudemire missed the final 29 games following an eye surgery. Although the Suns lost 105-93 to the LA Clippers (Blake Griffin, 25 and 13 on a NBA baptism for the history books) on Wednesday in their opener -- with Stoudemire only posting 12 points, starting his comeback -- Steve Nash showed he has no age; he scored 22 points to go with eleven assists, shooting 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Two days later, Stoudemire had a team-high 27 points in a narrow 110-109 defeat of Golden State (Monta Ellis with 33 points). The team's run-and-gun style has not worked well against the Celtics' defensive-minded system recently; while the Suns won the initial meeting after Boston acquired Garnett and Allen in 2007, the Celtics have won three straight in the series, each by at least 17 points.


• A season-opening stretch of eight games in 12 nights may appear to be daunting, but Boston will try to manage to finish it with a winning percentage. They have an ideal chance to do that on Saturday night, when they try to continue their dominance of the injury-hit New Jersey Nets, who are off to the worst start in franchise history. The Celtics have a key chance to rebound immediately if they lose against Phoenix, as they conclude a stretch of four games in five nights. The Nets have lost nine in a row against Boston by an average of 13.2 points, and they've also loss six straight meetings at home since April 16, 2006.

Garnett missed two of the four matchups with the Nets last season due to a knee injury, which sidelined him for 24 of the final 34 games and all of the playoffs. New Jersey (2-0) have been slowed down by injuries thus far, as they lost swingman Trenton Hassell last Wednesday, in a 107-93 triumph against Minnesota, with an apparent sprained wrist and will miss at least one week of action. One player benefiting from this injury was Chris Douglas-Roberts, who saw his minutes increasing and posting 21 points and eight rebounds in a 102-97 victory over Orlando (he had 12 and 6 against the Timberwolves); Celtics' Allen will have to work his defensive magic over him.

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Bets:

• Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week :: 2/1
• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans :: 2.5/1
• Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia :: 2/1
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota :: 3/1
• Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix :: 2/1
• Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey :: 2/1
• Record: If you guess the record for the week, you earn an extra 500 coins.

Hope Lamrock doesn't blame the long previews, but it's a long research I did from NBA archives last seasons, also adding the last results of the teams I'm facing... hope everyone appreciates it!

[kibaxx7]

Meh, just not really in to high-maintenance prediction games. I can live with playoff predictions, and maybe even monthly ones like in Nellieball, but I can't be bothered here. No offense meant.[/size]

No problem at all, man. With you posting your thoughts every week I play, it' enough for me.

I don't really care for the Celtics, but I love Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen came to my elementary school, so I like their backcourt. Though a starting five of Rondo, Pierce, Durant, Al Jeff and Perkins sounds pretty great

Jesus is the only one I like in the Celtics, make him MVP Thierry. and I will be your no.1 follower

Rondo won't go anywhere, he's the team's diamond. But I must admit that Allen's expiring deal is a great trade bait to get players of my liking.

[Azzdogs]

Good luck for the upcoming week and the detail you put into your previews is much appreciated.
Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week - 100 on it
Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans - 100 on it
Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia - 100 on it
Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota - 150 against it
Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix - 150 against it
Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey - 100 against it
Record: 5-0

[Maree]

• Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week :: for-100 coins
• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans :: against-50 coins
• Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia :: for-150 coins
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota :: against-100 coins
• Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix :: against-50 coins
• Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey :: against-50 coins

Record: 4-1

[Martti.]

• Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week 50 on it.
• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans - 50 against it
• Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia 150 on it
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota 50 on it
• Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix - 100 against it.
• Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey - 100 against it
• Record: 4-1

Wow, 5 games in 7 days. Good luck.

[dare]

• Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week 50 against it.
• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans - 50 against it
• Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia 100 on it
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota 100 against it
• Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix 100 against it.
• Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey 100 against it
• Record: 5-0

[|)e8*]

• Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week :: 50 against it
• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans :: 50 on it
• Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia :: 100 on it
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota :: 50 against it
• Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix :: 100 on it
• Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey :: 150 against it

Record:4-1

[Alpha_]

• Kevin Garnett: 10+ rpg on the week :: 50 against it
• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans :: 50 on it
• Paul Pierce: 20+ points at Philadelphia :: 100 on it
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota :: 100 against it
• Ray Allen: At least .500 in FG% against Phoenix :: 100 on it
• Eddie House: 5+ assists off the bench at New Jersey :: 100 against it

Record: 5-0

[Cartar]

• Rajon Rondo: 15+ points, 10+ assists against New Orleans :: 2.5/1 200 on it
• Kendrick Perkins: Double-double at Minnesota :: 3/1 200 on it
• Record: 4-1

[kibaxx7]

Bad news, my video card went down. BUT! I have warranty so I'm just holding this one for a couple of days until I can fix my computer.

WON'T STOP THIS ONE!

[Martti.]

Hahaa.

Sorry man, it's just funny.

[kibaxx7]

Sorry man, it's just funny.

I know, it's funny to me too Incredible...

[Alpha_]

oh geeeezzzz..

[Lamrock]

Four days.

[dare]

I have a spare Video Card here