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Oklahoma City Thunder (7-4) at Boston Celtics (9-2)
Friday, November 18
7:00 PM ET
Game #12, Home Game #6
TV: ESPN, CSNNE, FSOK
Radio: ESPNR, WEEI, WWLS
TD Garden
Probable Starters Point Guard vs
Rajon Rondo 10.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 14.9 APG .2.6 SPG
Russell Westbrook 23.3 PPG, 8.1 APG, 2.1 SPG
Shooting Guard vs
Ray Allen 18.1 PPG, 2.6 APG, .445 3P%
Thabo Sefolosha 4.8 PPG, 1.7 APG, .231 3P%
Small Forward vs
Paul Pierce 21.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.7 APG
Kevin Durant 28.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.6 APG
Power Forward vs
Kevin Garnett 15.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 0.5 BPG
Serge Ibaka 12.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG
Center vs
Shaquille O'Neal 10.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.3 BPG,
Nenad Krstic 8.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.4 BPG
Boston Bench MobDelonte West
Marquis Daniels
Glen Davis
Luke Harangody
Nate Robinson
Von Wafer
Semih Erden
Avery Bradley
InjuredKendrick Perkins (knee) out
Jermaine O'Neal (knee) out
Thunder ReservesSerge Ibaka
James Harden
Eric Maynor
Cole Aldrich
Daequan Cook
DJ White
Royal Ivey
Byron Mullens
Mo Peterson
Nick Collison
Injured Jeff Green (ankle) Day to Day
Team ConnectionsNick Collison, Cole Aldrich and Paul Pierce all attended the University of Kansas
Jeff Green was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 5th overall pick in the 2007 Draft
Nick Collison and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle from 2004‐07
Kevin Durant, Royal Ivey and Avery Bradley attended the University of Texas
Daequan Cook and Jermaine O’Neal were teammates in Miami 2009-10
Shaquille O’Neal and Daequan Cook were teammates in Miami 2007-08
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Russell Westbrook
Rondo once again faces one of the top young PG's in the league. These two PG's were vying for a spot on Team USA before Rondo withdrew and Westbrook went on to win a gold medal with the team. Rondo always has a little extra motivation playing against the rising PG's in the league. In their first meeting this season Rondo had 10 points, 10 assists, 4 steals and 4 turnovers while Westbrook had 16 points, 10 assists, 4 steals and 8 turnovers.
vs
Paul Pierce vs Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is making a case for being the best player in the NBA and is already in MVP talks for this season and Pierce will have his hands full trying to guard him. Durant is also a good defender so this may be a tough game for Pierce all the way around. Durant won the first meeting between these two with Pierce putting up 17 points and 2 rebounds and Durant scoring 34 points and pulling down 6 rebounds.
Game NotesThe Celtics beat the Thunder 92-83 in Oklahoma City to tip off their recent road trip. The Celtics are back home and have been playing very well in the Garden where they are 5-0. The Celtics will be looking to keep their record perfect at home while the Thunder will be looking to avenge the loss that the Celtics handed them in their building. The Thunder are 3-1 on the road.
Keys to the GameLimit Turnovers - The Celtics have been doing better in recent games to take care of the ball but then need to continue to concentrate on that area because they tend to get lax at times and the turnovers make games that should be easy much more difficult.
Rebound the Ball The Celtics have to crash the boards in order to prevent second chance points and fast break opportunities for the Thunder.
Defense - Defense has got to be the Celtics #1 priority. They have been playing decent defense, but it has to be great defense if they want to win the title.
Bench Play - With Delonte finally able to play, the Celtics' second unit is shaping up. With Semih hurting and JO out, they are still a bit thin in the middle, but the bench should be able to give the starters a good rest while maintaining or enlarging a lead.
X-FactorHome Court Advantage
The Celtics have been playing very well at home and they should put out some extra effort to keep their record at home perfect. It would be nice to have another Gino sighting again.