Celtics vs. Raptors rematch and end of preseason

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle]

This was a tough game to lose.  I've been harping frequently about 
the importance of hitting free throws, and that's what the game 
ultimately came down to.  I'm not ignoring the Celtics many 
turnovers, or the silly fouls, they helped lead up to this ending, 
but if the Celtics were better at the line, they would have won this game.

Every Celtics player who doesn't make 80% of his free throws should 
be made to shoot them repeatedly in practice and be fined when they 
don't reach the mark.  It's an uncontested shot, and there is just no 
sensible reason that players at this level shouldn't be able to hit 
that shot AT LEAST 8 out of every 10 tries.

The Celtics also need to have more scoring attempts, beginning with 
reducing turnovers and continuing with the running game.  The Celtics 
made one more field goal than Toronto, but the Raptors attempted ten 
more shots than Boston.  That means they're getting to the basket 
more often than we are.  The Raptors were 10-22 from the arc, and 
Boston was 6-12.
The Raptors also had more free throws then Boston, and made one less 
free throw than the Celtics attempted.

This has been a disturbing pattern, and Boston HAS to start playing 
defense.  I know there was some relief when Rivers came in, looking 
like the "anti-Obie" in his coaching style, but we traded one extreme 
for the other.  O'Brien concentrated on defense to the exclusion of 
offense, and Rivers is doing the exact opposite.  We need someone who 
knows how to coach a running defense complimentary to Doc's offense 
to shore up the Celtics, or this is going to be a very long and 
frustrating season.

But at least the preseason is ended, and the new regular season is 
but a week away.  So now is the time for those of you who have waited 
patiently to see how the Good Guys did, and cringing at the thought 
of Danny Ainge pulling our his cell phone, to give consideration to 
your prognosticating abilities.

Yes, the time fast approaches where the CBW predictions list/Celtics 
stuff live poll for the 2006-07 season will be closing the entries 
for this season's predictions.  Since entering at either area 
automatically enters you in both areas, you only have to make one 
entry!  You can e-mail predictions at celticsbeagle.net or visit the CBW 
at www.celticsbeagle.net to e-mail from there, or visit 
www.celticsstufflive.com and click on the poll tab at the top of the 
screen to "cast your fate to the wind".  The deadline is Wednesday, 
November 1, 7:30pm/opening tipoff of the Celtics first regular season 
game.  Good luck to all, and have fun!!

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website