The Boston Celtics have clawed their way back from an awful start to the season and finally have their star point guard healthy. Now they just need to figure out how to beat a team from the opposing conference.
Memphis at Boston (-5, 179)
When: 12:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 5, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
THE STORY: The Celtics will go for their fourth consecutive victory Sunday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday in a matinee game starting at noon. Boston has won seven of its last eight games to move two games above .500 for the first time this season. The Celtics’ inability to win against Western Conference foes was a major factor in getting off to a 5-9 start. Boston has dropped all four games against the West, including a wretched effort in a 79-71 home loss to Phoenix on Jan. 20. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, may want to petition the league to switch conferences. Since absorbing a 40-point beating at Chicago on New Year’s Day, Memphis has ripped off four straight wins against the East, each by a double-digit margin.
TV: Noon ET, CSNE, NBA TV
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (12-11): Memphis’ two-game winning streak was halted due to an inability to contain Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant in the final quarter. Ex-Celtic G Tony Allen, known primarily for his defense, is having one of his best seasons, averaging 10.9 points. He has picked up his offense in the past three games, averaging 17.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. C Marc Gasol scored a season-high 24 points Friday and is averaging a double-double with 15.1 points and 10.5 boards per game.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (12-10): Rondo finally made his return to the lineup after missing eight games with a sprained right wrist. He had seven points, seven assists and five rebounds. Just as Rondo came back, C Jermaine O’Neal went for an MRI exam on his knee and is considered a game-time decision for Sunday. O’Neal had just two points and four rebounds in 19 ½ minutes Friday. Boston’s starting five has played together a total of 99 minutes this season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Paul Pierce needs 31 points to surpass Larry Bird (21,791) for No. 2 on the franchise career scoring list.
2. Memphis had been 9-0 when leading after three quarters prior to Friday’s loss to the Thunder.
PREDICTION: Celtics 92, Grizzlies 87.
—————
Toronto at Miami (-16, 188)
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 5, 2012
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
THE STORY: One of the best teams in the NBA plays one of the worst squads when the Miami Heat host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Miami has won nine of 11 games and thrashed the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Friday. The Heat played a terrific all-around game and received 26 points from Dwyane Wade and 19 points and 12 rebounds from LeBron James. “This was probably the best game from start to finish in terms of playing together and communicating,” James said. Miami leads the Southeast Division and is 10-2 at home. Toronto has won four of its last seven games to get its victory count up to eight. The Raptors defeated the Washington Wizards on Friday after losing their previous two games to Boston (36) and Atlanta (23) by a combined 59 points. Point guard Jose Calderon has a season-high 17 assists in the victory over the Wizards, who will once again play without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani (calf).
TV: 1 p.m. ET, TSN (Toronto), Sun Sports (Miami)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (8-16): One of the stunning aspects of Toronto’s victory over Washington was the 61-37 advantage it had on the boards. The Raptors had 23 offensive rebounds for their most since having 22 against Washington early in the 2009-10 season. Forward Amir Johnson had seven offensive boards as part of an 18-point, 13-rebound outing. “Amir was a monster,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “He did a good job rolling to the basket and cleaning up the offensive boards.”
ABOUT THE HEAT (17-6): Forward Chris Bosh played in just two of Miami’s four games against the Raptors last season and averaged18.5 points and 6.0 rebounds against his former club. He has been struggling recently and has failed to score more than 12 points in any of the Heat’s last three games, averaging just 11 points and 5.7 rebounds during the stretch. Bosh is averaging 20.0 points and 7.7 rebounds. He played seven seasons for the Raptors before joining Miami as a free agent prior to the 2010-11 season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Miami has won five consecutive games against Toronto.
2. James is averaging 27.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 28 career games against the Raptors.
3. The 106 points against Washington was Toronto’s second-highest output of the season and just the third time the Raptors have topped 100.
PREDICTION: Heat 107, Raptors 92.
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