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2009-2010 Boston Celtics Preview

2008 Record: 62-20, 1st in Eastern Conf. Atlantic Division, lost in Conf. Semis. Head Coach: Doc Rivers, 6 th season
Key Additions: C-F Rasheed Wallace, F-C Shelden Williams
Key Losses: G Gabe Pruitt
1st Round Draft Picks: None
2nd Round Draft Picks: G Lester Hudson

2008'-09 Celtics Review:

Trailing the Orlando Magic, 76-75, with just over two minutes remaining in Game 6 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Boston Celtics had the right man at the foul line. Forward Paul Pierce, the 2008 NBA Finals MVP and an anchor of the ballclub, had a chance to give the Celtics a one-point lead and nudge the defending champs that much closer to a stirring series win in Florida. However, Pierce missed two free throws, and the rest was history... including the C's themselves. The Magic surged down the stretch to win Game 6 and tie the series at 3-3. Three days later, the weary Celtics--without big men Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe--finally ran out of gas in Game 7. A 101-82 loss to Orlando brought Boston's gallant title defense to an end, but with Garnett out of the lineup since a mid-February injury suffered at Utah, it's amazing the Celts stuck around as long as they did.

2009-'10 Celtics Preview:

Some seasons are harder to project than others. With the Celtics, you don't have to be a rocket scientist or an MIT physics professor to realize that if Garnett stays healthy for the duration of the season, particularly at playoff time, and Rasheed Wallace gets his head on straight, Boston will be playing basketball in late May, and will have a 50-50 chance of returning to the NBA Finals. Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Kendrick Perkins, plus bench bomber Eddie House, give coach Doc Rivers a superb assortment of weapons that will enable the Celtics to thrive if KG and 'Sheed deliver the goods. Outside of the obvious questions surrounding this team's big-name players, the other key question in Beantown concerns the depth of the Celtics' bench, particularly in the low post. Leon Powe moved on to Cleveland, but Glen "Big Baby" Davis will stick around for two more seasons. Powe's loss will hurt--doubly so because a conference rival plucked him--but a rotation involving KG, Perkins and "Big Baby" would still put Boston in good position to compete for a title. As long as the injury bug stays away, this team will like its chances. Pundits will, as well.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

> View the entire 2009-2010 NBA preview here at ProBasketball-fans.com

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