Posted by Ian Meropol

Posted by Gary Marbry

Butch and Sundance

Welcome to this week’s Nuggetpalooza to help get you ready for the big game against the Fish on Sunday!

SOME “DID YOU KNOW?” NUGGETS:

100 MORE PENALTY YARDS - If I told you that Pittsburgh’s win against San Diego last weekend was the 28th game since 1991 in which one team had 100+ more penalty yards than their opponent, how many of those would you guess that team won?  None?  Two? Five?  Including Pittsburgh’s win, those teams are now 13-15.  I would have NEVER guessed that they would have won that many.

OUTRUSHING BY 150+ YARDS EQUALS WIN- Miami outrushed Oakland by 152 yards (222-70) last Sunday.  Since 1991, teams that have 150+ more rushing yards than their opponent are 267-10.  It’s interesting that the last time that such a team lost was week 14 last season, when Pittsburgh outrushedNE, 181-22, but lost 34-13 at Gillette.  Teams that rack up 200+ yards on the ground are 23-1 in 2008. Last week was the 2ndtime this season that Miami has rushed for 200+ yards (the other was week 2 (versus the Patriots).  Before this season, Miami had not rushed for 200+ yards in a game since week 17 of 2002, also against New England.

JETS GAME BUCKED SOME TRENDS - Prior to last week’s loss, the Patriots had won 18 of their last 19 games in which they passed for 300+ yards, dating back to 2002.  They had also won 30 of their last 31 (and 19 straight) in which they recorded at least 25 first downs since 1996.

STOPPING MIAMI ON THIRD DOWN IS A GOOD IDEA - Dating back to 2006, Miami has gone 0-9 when they fail to convert at least 25% of their 3rd downs.
——————————————————————————–

WHEN THE DOLPHINS HAVE THE BALL

* - HOLDING THE LINE AFTER TURNOVERS - The Patriots have committed 13 turnovers this season, but the defense has stepped up, allowing just 1 touchdown and 2 FG after those giveaways.  That is a historically low pace of points allowed following turnovers:

Lowest Pts Per Giveaway Allowed (since ‘95)

NE -  2008 - 1.00  (13 pts off 13 giveaways)
Bal - 2006 - 1.17 (27 / 23)
Bal - 2000 - 1.23 (32 / 26)
SD -  2001 - 1.34 (39 / 29)
Ten - 2007 - 1.44 (49 / 34)

HIGHEST:  2008 STL - 4.94 (89 pts off 18 giveaways - 4 return TD, 7 offensive TD, 4 FG)

* - 3RD DOWN IN THE RED ZONE - The Patriots have allowed 55% conversions on red zone 3rd downs this season and are on pace to become the first team since ‘95 (when they started tracking the stat) to allow 53%+ for two straight seasons.

* - PASSING WHEN THE PATRIOTS BLITZ - New England has been historically bad this season defending against passes when they blitz:

Worst Pass Defense When Blitzing (Passer Rating Allowed; Since ‘95)

NE -  2008 - 116.9
Cle - 1995 - 116.3
Dal - 2000 - 116.2
Mia - 1996 - 115.0
Ari - 2002 - 113.5
Hou - 2005 - 112.2

Since 1995 - Highest Completion % Allowed When Blitzing

NE -  2008 - 70.4% 
SD -  2008 - 69.3% 
Ind - 2005 - 68.8% 
NYJ - 2008 - 68.6% 
TB -  2007 - 67.7% 

* - DROPPED PASSES- The Dolphins have only 9 drops this season (tied for the fewest in the NFL).  However, it’s trending the wrong way for Miami. Over the season’s first 9 weeks, they dropped only 1.5% of catchable balls (4 out of 270).  But in the last two weeks, they’ve had 5 drops out of 43 catchable balls (11.6%).

* - RUN STUFFAGE - Miami has had over 10% of their rush attempts stuffed for losses this season (about twice the rate of New England’s runners who lead the league at just 5%).  However, the Patriots defense has stuffed only 7% of opponent carries (6th worst).

* - 1ST DOWN EFFICIENCY - The Patriots defense ranks just 24th, allowing 4+ yards on 1st down 49% of the time this season.  It’s been even worse over the last two weeks (56%).  Miami ranks 3rd in average yards per 1st down play (6.1) and they’re trending upward (6.5 in the last two games).

* - 2ND AND LONG - The Dolphins lead the league in converting 2nd and 6 yards or more (30.3%), but that could be a bit deceiving as they are just 6 for their last 30 (20%).

* - NO EARLY GIVEAWAYS - Miami is the only team in the NFL that does not have a turnover on their opening possession of either half all year.  The Patriots have 4.  Only the Lions have more (5).

* - NOT MANY LATE GIVEAWAYS EITHER - Last year, the Pats committed only 15 turnovers, the lowest single season total in the NFL since at least 1995.  Through ten games this season, the Dolphins are on pace to break that mark, having committed just 8.

* - GO GET THAT BEER EVEN IF YOU MISS THE KICKOFF- The Dolphins are dead last in average kickoff return (19.5).

* - BETTER GET THE FIRST BY AIR - The Patriots are allowing just 4.2 rushing first downs per game, 2nd in the league.  Over the last two weeks, they’ve only allowed 6 (3.0 per game).

* - INSIDE THE 50?  DON’T FRET - Miami has started just 7 drives on their opponent’s side of the 50 this season (NFL low) and have averaged just 1.3 points on those drives (also an NFL low).

* - FUMBLE LUCK- Like the Jets last week, Miami has been quite lucky when it comes to fumble recoveries this season.  They’ve put the ball on the ground 11 times, but have only lost 3 of them.  Conversely, New England’s defense has forced very few fumbles (just 7, tied for the NFL’s fewest), but they’ve recovered 5 (71%, 2nd highest percentage).

* - TWO MINUTE DRILL FUTILITY - The Dolphins are one of only four teams remaining that have not scored on a possession starting inside of two minutes in a half.  No points in 13 such possessions.

——————————————————————————–

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL

* - YARDS AFTER THE CATCH- Almost 54% of New England’s passing yardage has come on runs by the receiver after the catch, the highest mark in the NFL this season (the Rams are 2nd at 52%).  In addition, the Dolphins have allowed an average of 6.0 YAC yards per reception, 5th most.  Wes Welker.  Paging Mr. Wes Welker.

* - DEARTH OF LONG PASSES- I realize that it’s becoming a weekly staple of Nuggetpalooza to point out how rarely the Patriots throw long (21+ yards in the air) andhow futile those attempts have been (4-20 for 164 yards and a 57 rating).  However, Miami has been completely awful at defending those passes this season, allowing a 110 rating (3rd worst in the league).  Makes you wonder if BB will change the gameplan a little and take a few shots.  Offensively, Miami andNew England have just 11 such completions this year COMBINED.  Twelve different teams that more than that this season. 

* - FEWER THREE AND OUTS - The Patriots offense has risen to 7th in lowest percentage of 3 and outs on offense (17%), thanks to just 2 such possessions in their last two games (9%). 

* - PASSING IS IMPROVING - I have a stat that takes yards per passing attempt and includes sacks (reduces gross yards and counts as an attempt) to give a more complete “Yards Per Attempt Including Sacks” (YPAIS) figure.  The Patriots are at 5.9 this season (21st).  But the trend is positive as the Pats have put up a 7.0 figure over the past two games.  However, the Dolphins defense has also stiffened in this regard, allowing just 4.2 YPAIS over the last two weeks (now 6.5 for the entire season).

* - THIRD AND MANAGEABLE - NE has converted 60% of their 3rd and 5 yards or less opportunities (6th).  Couple that with the Dolphins defense allowing 61% conversions (4th worst) and you’ve got to feel pretty good about those situations.  However, in 3rd and 6 or more to go, the Pats convert just 29% (14th) and Miami allows just 20% (5th best).  Kinda makes that second down play more important, doesn’t it?

* - INSIDE THE 30 EQUALS POINTS - The Patriots have gotten inside the 30 yard line 48 times this season and scored points on 43 of those (90%, 3rd).  Unfortunately, those scores have usually been field goals (20 TD / 23 FG).

* - KICKOFF RETURNS - NE ranks 3rd in average kickoff return (25.9) and have 13 returns of 30+ yards (most in the league).  Meanwhile, Miami ranks LAST in kickoff coverage, allowing an average return of 27.3.  Could this be a game changer?

* - NOTHING EASY - The Dolphins have not allowed a TD run of 10+ yards yet this season while New England has just 1 such run, so don’t expect too much in this area on Sunday.

* - PUNT RETURNS- The Dolphins are one of only three teams that have allowed multiple punt return touchdowns this season.  While the Pats don’t have a punt return touchdown, they have been effective, ranking 8thin the league withan 11.9 average.  New England has 11 punt return TD’s since 1976, their last coming in 2002.  They have never run back a punt for a TD against Miami.

Enjoy the game!  As always, I would love to hear from you.  If you have a question, comment, or suggestion, feel free to leave a comment or send an email directly to me at gmarbry@weei.com.

Posted by Mike Petraglia

The Celtics showed no mercy on the weary Detroit Pistons on Thursday night at TD Banknorth Garden, demolishing them, 98-80. The first quarter was a wake-up call as the Green fell behind 13-2 in the first three and a half minutes. But for the final three quarters, this one belonged entirely to the defending champs. Rajon Rondo looked better than he has all season, scoring 18 and controlling Allen Iverson and the tempo all night. This was the second time this season the 11-2 Celtics have owned Detroit, beating them 88-76 back on Nov. 9. There are 69 games remaining but it’s hard to imagine anyone in the East knocking the Celtics out of the top perch. Next up tonight, Kevin Garnett gets to actually play in his return to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. Last year, he had to sit on the sidelines because of an injury.

Rajon Rondo on handling the Pistons.

Rondo said Garnett will be excited about his return to Minnesota.

Garnett on his return to Minnesota on Friday night.

Paul Pierce said Rondo was dominant Thursday night.

Doc Rivers explained why this was a great win.

Pistons coach Michael Curry said the Celtics showed why they’re a great team.

Posted by Paul Flannery

It was early in the game and Rajon Rondo found himself driving to the basket with a clear lane to the hoop. His options: Finish the move and take it strong, or pass it out for a jump shot. As he has several times this year Rondo elected to exercise Option Two–pass it out to the perimeter. The decision elicited audible gasps from the Garden crowd, disappointment really, and a missed jump shot. That’s not what getting Rondo’d is all about.

But the most picked over, scrutinized and dissected player on the Celtics roster does not lack for confidence, and the next time Rondo found himself in the same position (clear path, decision time), Rondo elected for Option One: Take it strong to the goal.

Again and again Thursday night against the Pistons, Rondo took it strong to the basket en route to an 18-point, eight-assist performance that stands as his best game of the young season in a 98-80 win over Detroit. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Jessica Camerato

To some players, the “D” in D-League stands for demotion.

Not Bill Walker. He sees it for what it’s worth.

Walker hasn't seen meaningful minutes since the preseason

“It’s not a demotion at all. So you have you to get that out your mind,” Walker said before Thursday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. “It’s the reason that why they created the D-League, so that instead of having guys sitting on the bench, not staying in shape, they can go down there and play.”

The Boston Celtics rookie has played just six minutes in two games and hasn’t been given the nod since November 9. It’s only natural that Walker would like to play more, but if it’s not going to happen in Boston he isn’t too proud to go elsewhere. Even if that means going all the way to Provo with the Celtics affiliate Utah Flash.

“I welcome it,” Walker said. “If it happens, I’m looking forward to going down and playing against someone other than my teammates.”

The place he gets minutes is in practice, and even those have been few and far between this season.

“It’s tough. We’re not having a lot of practices,” said head coach Doc Rivers. “The individual work he does with Coach (Kevin) Eastman is valuable for him and he’s doing it. Other than that, that’s all he can do and he just has to continue to do that.”

Since Walker can’t learn by playing he’s trying to gain as much as possible from his veteran teammates.

He wouldn't mind joining J.R. Giddens in Utah

“[I've learned about] just having a pro pace without rushing yourself, knowing your limits, staying within your game,” Walker said. “Just little things I’ve been learning, picking up stuff from Paul (Pierce) and the pace he plays at. He doesn’t go any faster than he wants to and he makes use of every move he uses.”

Walker looks forward to putting his knowledge to use. He expects that opportunity to come in the near future.

“I’m pretty sure it’ll happen sooner than later,” he said, “Because guys are playing so well right now and there’s not a lot of minutes for us.”

Until that decision is made, he’ll make the most of his time on the Celtics bench. If he gets that call, though, don’t expect him to be disappointed.

“I’m not worried about it,” he said. “But if it happens, I’m looking forward to it.”

Posted by Jessica Camerato

Game Over: Celtics 98, Pistons 80 … More from the locker rooms to follow.

- Gino time. The crowd is clearing out with 52 seconds left and Gino is shaking it on the big screen.

- Amir Johnson hasn’t shown much in his four-year career with the Pistons but tonight offered glimpses into his potential at the hoop. Johnson has a long wing span and can glide his arms to the basket for easy lay-ins. He’s only 21 and has more time to prove himself.

- Was that Nate Robinson or Will Bynum? The little guard can jump and surprisingly slammed home a Pistons fastbreak.

- With a bucket from O’Bryant, everyone on the Celtics active roster has scored.

- House is out, Scal’s in. And here comes … Patrick O’Bryant. It’s officially only a matter of time before we see Gino dancing.

- There are competing “Let’s Go Celtics” and “Scal-a-bri-ne” chants going on right now. Apparently they didn’t get the memo that Scal isn’t a fan.

- Pruitt is clearly excited to be in the game and tried to run the ball up the court off a Detroit miss. Doc quickly put his hands up to slow down. The Celtics may be up by more than 20 but it’s never a good idea to start getting too flashy against a veteran squad. Plus Pruitt is in the game for experience, not showtime.

- Doc is starting Gabe Pruitt with Davis, House, Powe, and Tony Allen. Curry is going with Sheed, Hamilton, Maxiell, Iverson, and former Georgia Tech player Will Bynum.

- The Celtics kick off the fourth quarter with Lucky the Leprachaun trying to wow the TNT crew with slam dunks. He tried for SportsCenter before and it doesn’t look like he’s giving up until he’s on national tv.

At the start of the fourth … Celtics 77, Pistons 57

Posted by Paul Flannery

Some interesting things to watch in the second half. As Jess pointed out, although no one’s been able to pin down the exact nature of it, there appears to be some sort of ill feeling between former UConn-ers Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton (Ray started wearing the sleeve last year because he said Rip was scratching him). Add to that the little Kendrick Perkins-Jason Maxiell shoving match, the usual (clean) fun between Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, and two of the fastest players in the game in Rajon Rondo and Allen Iverson, and we’ve got a big game with all kinds of fun personal matchups.

Before the game, Ray Allen was saying that the Celtics fully expect to see Detroit in the playoffs again this spring. Don’t think for a second that Detroit wants to go down 0-2 in the season series (funny how this rivalry completely flipped in one year from the C’s being the hunters to the hunted, isn’t it?)

Onward… Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Jessica Camerato

SECOND QUARTER WRAP: The Celtics second unit was hot early in the second and pushed the lead up to 38-27. But the Pistons got physical and are within nine half. They’re looking to battle and the Celtics will have to come out hot in the third quarter to stave off a comeback.

Halftime Notes and Numbers:

• Iverson leads all scorers with 12. Rondo and Tony Allen lead the Celtics with 9 apiece.
• Both teams have 16 points in the paint and the rest of the stat lines are very similar.
• The Pistons are outrebounding the Celtics 18-16 while the Celtics have one more assist, 11-10.

Paul has you covered after a entertaining halftime performance by the Bucket Boys.

—

- At the half, Celtics 49, Pistons 40

- Two days after saying KG is “crazier” than him on the court, Perk got T’ed up at the end of the second after Maxiell fouled Pierce at the hoop.

- There is talk of a heated relationship between UConn alums Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton, but few details are known. We’re getting a glimpse into that tonight with Hamilton knocking Allen over for an offensive foul. Hamilton had something to say about it as they ran down the court.

- A little kid dressed in an oversized Bill Walker jersey just won Sarah Brightman tickets in a tot-sized road race. What are the chances he has her songs on iTunes?

- The Celtics have their starters back on the court and the Pistons have all but Wallace out there.

- Both Ray Allen and House have missed free throws this quarter. It was House’s first miss of the season and Allen’s fourth.

- Eddie House is feeling it. After Powe swatted away a Prince drive, House nailed a three on the fast break. He drained another trey on the next possession, prompting the Pistons to call a timeout down 38-27.

- Rip Hamilton completely faked out Tony Allen at the top of the key. TA has learned from his mistakes and didn’t get tricked into fouling him on the shot a la last season against Chauncey Billups.

- During a timeout the Celtics played their first “slow dance” of the year on the Jumbotron. It was a slo-mo of awesomely bad dance moves from the Garden set to the awesomely bad Lonestar ballad, “Amazed.”

- Now Aaron Afflalo is guarding Powe (??) … now Afflalo’s on the ground. Powe’s at the line shooting two.

- Scal for three. And the crowd goes wild.

- I was hoping for a physical match up between Powe and Maxiell considering the trouble the Pistons big man gave Perk last season. But Big Baby is on Maxiell and Powe has Prince. Powe should be able to back Prince down in the paint.

- For the first time in a while, Doc is going with an entire second unit. Usually he leaves PIerce or Ray Allen on the court with the reserves, but now he’s giving the lineup of Scal, Powe, Davis, Tony Allen, and House a look. Michael Curry’s going with Iverson, Stuckey, Prince, Afflalo, and Wallace.

- After another slow start, the Celtics enter the second quarter tied 21-21 with the Pistons.

Posted by Paul Flannery

We are live from courtside for tonight’s showdown between the Celtics and the Pistons. When last we left Detroit, the re-configured Pistons looked dazed and confused as they tried to adjust to life without their spiritual leader, Chancey Billups, and to life with the new jet-engine, Allen Iverson. The Celtics, without even playing particularly well, dusted the Pistons in Dee-troit.

But since then the Pistons have won four of five, including an impressive victory over the Lakers–the first, and only team, to score a win against LA. The difference? The running game. Doc Rivers warned of Piston fastbreaks started by a flying AI and finished off by a trailing Rasheed Wallace knocking down 3-pointers (watch for ‘Sheed in transition tonight, in other words).

So, what will it be tonight? Will it be three in a row for the defending champs? Will it be a statement win for the Pistons? Will Kevin Garnett’s trash talk be PG-rated? (Yes, that was a rhetorical question.) Come one, come all for all the action, updated all night long. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Jessica Camerato

Welcome to the TD BankNorth Garden where Paul and I are bringing you all the sights and sounds from the Celtics-Pistons battle. Tonight’s game is on TNT with postgame coverage later on Comcast SportsNet.

The hot topic tonight is how the Pistons will play after getting acclimated with Allen Iverson. Doc Rivers called Iverson “a freak of nature” considering just how good he still is at his age and size. Rivers explained that many people wondered when A.I. would slow down, and so far, he hasn’t.

Ray Allen expects to see the Pistons at some point in the playoffs, noting that over the last few years they have been the team to beat to get to the NBA Finals. Allen ranks the Pistons and Cavs at the top of his Eastern Conference lists.

Both locker rooms were noticeably quiet. With the exception of Bill Walker, it was a ghost town for a while in the Celtics room. Across the hall, the Pistons locker room was void of Rasheed Wallace’s typically blaring music. Maybe Club Sheed will be open after the game.

Brian Scalabrine is moving back to the bench tonight with Kevin Garnett returning from his one-game suspension.

… Congratulations to the Celtics game day staff who received their very own championship rings tonight. From printing box scores to running stats in between quarters, they help make our jobs easier every night.