Celt's notes

[opi@unesco.org]

NBA.COM reports the following hard to believe information:

Working Down Low: The C's have generated a lot of offense below the foul
line in the early part of the season...For the fourth straight game,
they outscored their opponents in the paint (54-26 at Indiana, 11/6;
52-46 vs. Charlotte, 11/5; 50-22 vs. Washington, 11/3; 40-26 at Toronto,
11/2)...Boston is averaging 49 points in the paint per game, and have
outscored its opponents 196-116 down low through four games.

--------

Despite their record, Detroit is a dangerous and explosive offensive
team, one that can blow teams out of the water. Grant Hill had his
second highest scoring NBA game (41 points) against the dominant Miami
defense last week, and he is putting up MVP numbers (6.3 assists, 6.0
rebounds). Jerry Stackhouse is shooting a stunning .547 from the field
while pouring in 23.3 ppg, 3.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds (better than our
Antoine). In their last game (against Milwaukee), the other three
starters stepped up. Laetner went for 18 points, Terry Mills for 17
points and 7 boards, Lindsay Hunter for 15 points and 7 assists. The top
bench players are poor, hungry and driven Jerome Williams (9.8 rpg thus
far) and Michael Curry (7.0 ppg on a .529FG%).

I'd be surprised if Detroit rolls over. They easily swept us last year
including twice at the Fleet Center, they consider themselves a playoff
team, and they are hungry for their first big win (after losses to teams
with a combined 12-5 record thus far).  Don't worry, I'm just applying
some "negative thinking" before game time. I'm saving my Antoine rant
for tomorrow, though.

I know Jim Mennino has ticks for the game tomorrow. Let's hope for some
more Celtics Pride. Pitino's equally rested club has to continue doing
to Detroit what everyone else has so far done this season. Opponents are
outrebounding the Detroit Pinto's by a staggering 9.8 per game. They are
shooting nearly 47% from the field and scoring 113.8 points per game.

Joe

------