(update- Eric Gordon will not play because of a bruised right knee. I no longer expect a blowout, just a close win.)
The Hornets will look to continue in their quest to go undefeated tonight against a win-less Celtics team. Boston is missing Paul Pierce and coming off a loss last night against the Heat in which Ray Allen spent the majority of his time chasing around Dwayne Wade. You can bet that the veteran is not thrilled to now have to face off against the Hornets most deadly offensive weapon, Eric Gordon.
Most of the Hornets roster is going to be playing their first meaningful game as the home team in New Orleans. The energy level will be high both on the court and in the stands, especially as we witness the first season opening home game for the Bee-Zanies. I expect great things from the Zanies this year in terms of bringing energy to the arena throughout, but especially early on in games where audible fan support has often been lacking in previous years. After watching their tryouts, I can’t imagine they will disappoint.
On the court, the Hornets welcome back Jarrett Jack, who looked great in the postseason and in relief of CP3 as a starter last year. He missed last game after being suspended for pleading no-contest to a reckless driving charge. Regardless of that error in judgment, we might be looking at the best Jarrett Jack the NBA has ever seen. He was focused in training camp and seemed eager to take on the leadership role that is essentially required of him.
Eric Gordon and the Hornets bigs should attack the rim early and often in search of getting Jermaine O’Neal into foul trouble. He’s been a foul-machine so far this year, and is admittedly frustrated with his inability to get into a rhythm. Without him on the floor the Celtics have a big hole in the rebounding and defense department. I’m not sure they can overcome losing him for a chunk of the game if he picks up a few early on.
You want a prediction? Fine! The Hornets win and win big. I expect to see a double digit victory fueled by crazy fans and a big performance by Belinelli from downtown. Last year he tore apart the Celtics and if they leave him open again this year, we will see the same result. They’re tired, reeling, and probably ready to take a day off and re-group at home.
I’ll even take it a step further since the Celtics have been starting off games so poorly this year and the crowd is going to be wild. If the Hornets can come out hot, they could put this thing away by the end of the first half and we could see the Celtics resting their veterans for the majority of the fourth quarter.
Optimistic? Sure, but that’s how I roll for game one at home. I already titled the recap– “Hornets Obliterate Celtics”.
22 responses to “Game On: Celtics at Hornets”
I’d like to see all of New Orleans get behind this team. I was very
disappointed at the turn-outs of most of the games last season. We have a
young, energetic, talent-filled roster with loads of promise…it would be a
shame for them to have to play their season opener with hundreds of empty seats as
I’m sure it will be. They only play with a full arena when they are on the
road. I myself live in San Antonio and have made it to dozens of games. The
city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas needs to get behind this time and
create an excitement that will eventually land us an owner that will allow us to
make our own business decisions in the future. I loved what I saw last night
from a team’s that’s core has only been together a week or so. COM’ON NEW
ORLEANS…LET’S SUPPORT THESE GUYS!!! Tell your friends, family, co-workers,
and panhandlers to get out and help solidify out Hornets in our great city and
in the NBA.
Your predictions and analysis are SPOT ON as always.
Celts show up without their epinephrine pens and get stung. . . repeatedly.
Hornets 92 Celtics 78. All traitor bitch New Orleanians that will be cheering for the Celtics will be hitting the exits early!
I will be EXTREMELY DRUNK at this game. Who’s In?!
dang you were really close with that final score.. im impressed
CAN’T WAIT for the game!!!!!!!!!!!
Celtics will be exhausted, by IMO they will bring their A game, but we Hornets aren’t bs, GEAUX HORNETS!!!!!!!!!!S
Stand up and get crunk
from Croatia, I’ll be up at 2 am here, HOLLA!!!!!!!!!
cro_CP3, I was in Dubrovnik last summer. Beautiful place.
I’m from Split, it’s norther than Dubrocvnik, 2nd biggest city in Croatia, beautiful too you know 😉 ;)…
Coming off of an emotional, fast-paced loss to the Heat on the road, the Celtics will be too exhausted to bang with the Hornets front line and too tired to chase around Eric Gordon.
Hornets- 90 Celtics- 82
Commissioner Gordon goes off for 30+!
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lol u guys are a joke. celtics will win by double digits easily against your sad excuse for a basketball team and will be back after the game to laugh at all your faces
Shouldn’t Pavlovic be contributing to the team as opposed to watching them lose?
So…. You were saying?
Looking for you, Sasha. Waiting for you to come back.
I would really like your analysis on how balls fly up out of hoops and why exactly does the team always fly into the ref’s hands in the center of the court at the conclusion of every game.
It looks like the Celtics are fraying at the seams. No Paul Pierce. They traded away Big Baby and Kendrick Perkins. Pretty soon, Rajon Rondo’s going to win MVP because he’s going to BE the BOSTON Celtics. A couple of years ago it looked like the Celtics would use the trio of Rondo, Baby, and Perkins to rally around when Allen, Garnett, and Pierce retired.
Best way to stop the Celtics is to force Rondo into a jumpshot. Cut off everybody else and say, “Go ahead, shoot it from 3. We don’t think you can make them enough to keep your team in the game.”
really kinda sucks that EJ got hurt in the first game. Wouldve been nice to show the home croud our new dynamic player to get excited aboout and give them a reason to come back!!!
Why nothing on Gordon being injured until now?
Lovin’ the new NOLA flava in the Hive tonight!
Now it feels like home.
Anyone have a link for online viewing?
League Pass is free till 9th Jan 2012.
Bit too late, but you will benefit for few games more 🙂
they arent calling any damn fouls for new orleans. they are getting mauled!!
Passion.
Purpose.
Pride.
We finally have a team that understands the true essense of those three words.
What a night.
And LACP3 is getting beating in San Antonio big time! Wooo hooo!
Not that I have something against clips… 🙂
looks like the NBA didnt discontinue the prayer after all…