BOSTON 33-26 at MEMPHIS 18-40
These two teams met Dec 31 2002 in BOSTON where BOSTON won 96-89. Boston led at the half 51-47 and at the end of three 82-71. MEMPHIS was unable to mount a 4th quarter attack sufficient enough to win.
FG's BOSTON 37-88 MEMPHIS 35-81; 3 PTers BOSTON 12-27 and MEMPHIS 5-24(BOSTON lives and dies on the 3 point shot) FT's BOSTON 10-11 and MEMPHIS 14-20. BOSTON led by as many as 14 and MEMPHIS by as many as 10. PTs in the PAINT BOSTON 44 MEMPHIS 42 and FAST BREAK PTs BOSTON 12 MEMPHIS 21. MEMPHIS held a slight edge on the boards. MEMPHIS came in on 3 days rest, which is too many for a team that is not playing well, and BOSTON came in on 2 days(just right playing at home) after a 101-95 loss at ORLANDO. I don't put much faith in NEW YEAR'S EVE GAMES, but that is how it went down.
BOSTON comes into this game on no rest after a 104-92 loss at TORONTO, while MEMPHIS will hit the court on 1 day of rest after a 114-87 pasting at DALLAS.
MEMPHIS's last 5 home games they have shot 46.4% FG's and 41 of 92 3 PTers for 44.5%. They scored 126(actually 104, game went into ot),103,108,101 and 97 respectively
BOSTON's last 5 away games leave them shooting 41.6% FG's and 45 of 137 in the three point catagory for 32.8%. They scored 92,83,125(against GOLDEN STATE not exactly a defensive giant),92 and 92 for the five games.
MEMPHIS is not a good team, but they do have their moments and I think that BOSTON will have to do better than they have in their last 5 away games to beat MEMPHIS tonight
In MARCH of last year BOSTON won at MEMPHIS 103-97, but the score was BOSTON 77 MEMPHIS 75 at the end of three, game being decided in the 4th quarter BOSTON 26 MEMPHIS 22. Tonight on no rest on the road BOSTON may not exhibit that same amount of energy in the 4th quarter. At least that is what I am counting on as I pick MEMPHIS to win this game.
In the other meeting of last year BOSTON held on for a 5 point win,85-80 at BOSTON.
, where again MEMPHIS could not mount that 4th quarter attack to make it any closer.
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Posted : March 3, 2003 8:27 pm