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Boston Celtics (29-9) at Toronto Raptors (16-21)
Sunday, January 11
12:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #39, Road Game #19
TV: CSN HD,
Air Canada Center
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222 Probable Starters Rondo/ R Allen/ Pierce/ Garnett/ Perkins
ReservesTony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Injuries: Tony Allen (ankle) out
Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) will play
Coach: Jay Triano
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 226Probable Starters[/b]
Solomon/ Parker/Moon/ Bosh/ Bargnani
Reserves Joey Graham
Jason Kapono
Roko Ukic
Kris Humphreys
Nathan Jawai
Jake Voskuhl
Jose Calderon
Jermaine O'Neal
InjuriesJermaine O'Neal (knee) out
Jose Calderon (hamstring) day to day
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Will Solomon
This may be a good chance for Rondo to get back on track. He should be able to get past Solomon easily. He needs to be aggressive and take advantage of this matchup.
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh is one of the best young power forwards in the game and is very dangerous on the offensive end. He will give a very tired KG all he can handle.
Honorable Mention
Kendrick Perkins vs Andrea Bargnani
Perk has the strength advantage while Bargnani has the size and quickness advantage.
Keys to the Game:Defend the Perimeter: The Raptors can kill you from beyond the arc as they have the green light to shoot the 3 and are very effective from that distance. They have 5 players shooting 53% or more from beyond the arc and the Celtics will need to stay with the Raptors defensively out on the perimeter.
Start Strong and Don't Let Up The Celtics need to come out strong from the start and not allow themselves to get into a hole. With the Raptors' potent offense, they can't afford to start slow and play catch up. They also can't let up if they get a lead because the Raptors can put points on the board very quickly.
Crash the Boards The Raptors are a strong rebounding team and the Celtics have to go after the rebounds and loose balls. They can't afford to allow the Raptors to rebound and get second chance baskets. The Celtics were out rebounded by the Cavs 42-30 and need to put out more of an effort on the boards.
X-FactorRevengeThere has been bad blood between these two teams since Gerald Green slammed in a breakaway dunk to put an exclamation point on a blow out win. The games between these two division rivals are always chippy and it seems to be getting even chippier. The Celtics are up 2-0 in the series so far, but with the Celtics struggling, the Raptors may look to get their revenge and come out looking for blood.
Game NotesThe Celtics have lost 4 games in a row while the Raptor have won their last two games. The Celtics are 3-7 in their last 10 games and the Raptors are 6-4 in their last 10. The Raptors are 8-9 at home while the Celtics are 11-7 on the road.
Team Connections: Joey Graham and Tony Allen are former Oklahoma State
Cowboys…
Raptors Strength and Conditioning Coach Keith D’Amelio was an assistant to Ed Lacerte for three seasons.