Celtics (42-11) at Hornets (30-18) 2/11

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (42-11) at New Orleans Hornets (30-18)  2/11
Wednesday, February 11
8:00 PM ET
Game #54, Road Game # 26
TV:  CST, CSN HD, LP 758
New Orleans Arena
Located in the Big Easy, the New Orleans Hornets returned to the New Orleans Arena permanently this season for the first time since the 2004-05 season. In the mid 1990s, the city decided to build a new arena adjacent to the New Orleans Superdome. Constructed at a cost of $84 million, the octagonal shaped building was completed in 1999. The first game played at the New Orleans Arena was a hockey game on October 29, 1999. NBA basketball returned to the city permanently when the Hornets moved to New Orleans and played their first game at the New Orleans Arena October 30, 2002. Although the building was less than five years old, the city spent $10 million upgrading the New Orleans Arena for the Hornets. Locker rooms were upgrade, additional luxury suites were added, and a courtside restaurant and team store were built. Because of the devastating events of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the Hornets moved their basketball operations to Oklahoma City and the Ford Center where they played the majority of their games for the next two seasons. Several games were held in New Orleans during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons to show the team’s commitment to playing in the city. The New Orleans Arena suffered little structural damage after the hurricane because of its arched reinforced steel and concrete roof. The Hornets returned to New Orleans permanently for the 2007-08 season and the city hosted the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.



ProbableStarters
PG   Rajon Rondo PPG 11.2 RPG 5.10 APG 8.3 

SG    Ray Allen PPG 18.2 RPG 3.30 APG 2.9

SF Paul Pierce PPG 19.5 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8

PF Kevin Garnett   PPG 16.5 RPG 9.00 APG 2.7

C Kendrick Perkins  PPG 8.2 RPG 7.90 APG 1.1

Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
Bill Walker 

Injuries:
Brian Scalabrine (concussion)  out
Tony Allen (thumb)  out 

D-League
JR Giddens




Probable Starters
PG    Chris Paul PPG 21.5 RPG 5.40 APG 10.9 

SG    Rasual Butler  7PPG 9.8 RPG 2.90 APG 0.9

SF    Peja Stojakovic  PPG 14.3 RPG 4.10 APG 1.4

PF    Ryan Bowen  PPG 3.4 RPG 1.50 APG 0.5

C     David West  PPG 19.6 RPG 7.50 APG 2.0

Reserves
James Posey
Devin Brown
Hilton Armstrong
Sean Marks
Morris Peterson
Melvin Ely
Antonio Daniels
Julian Wright

Injuries
Tyson Chandler (ankle) questionable
Morris Peterson (foot)  questionable
Chris Paul (groin) questionable

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Chris Paul
This match up may or may not come to pass. Chris Paul is listed on the game notes as being the starting pg but they have since said that he may not play because of the groin injury.  The Celtics have said they are preparing as if CP will be playing.  It should be a game time decision. 

  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs David West

Honorable Mention
  vs 
Tony Allen vs James Posey


Team Connections
Hilton Armstrong and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Julian Wright and Paul Pierce are former Kansas Jayhawks
Sean Marks and Leon Powe are former Cal Golden Bears
Mike James played for the Celtics in the '03-'04 season
Hornets asst. Paul Pressey was an asst. for the Celtics from '04-'06
Scal was coached by Byron Scott in New Jersey
Melvin Ely and Eddie House were teammates on the Clippers
Peja Stojakovic and Eddie House were teammates in Sacramento
James Posey was instrumental in helping the Celtics win the championship last season.

Game Notes:
The Celtics lead the series 1-0, having won 94-82 in a December game in  Boston.  The Hornets are 18-8 at home while the Celtics are 18-7 on the road.  The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 games while the Hornets are 5-5.  The Hornets are 11-7 against Eastern Conference teams.   These two teams split the series 1-1 last season with each team winning on their home floor. 

• In their first match-up of the season, Chris Paul (20 points and 14 assists) and David West (23 points and 14 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles for New Orleans.
• Paul Pierce recorded 28 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
• New Orleans scored 19 fast break points while holding Boston to six.
• Boston committed 17 turnovers leading to 25 Hornet points.
• Byron Scott is 7-14 (.333) all-time versus the Celtics…Doc Rivers is 13-12 (.520) all-time against the Hornets.

Keys to the Game
Defense  The Celtics have to guard both the perimeter and the interior.   The Hornets have very good 3 point shooters as well as players who can take the ball to the basket. The Hornets are 19-2 when scoring 100 points so it is important to defend them well. 

Ball movement     Against the Lakers and the Spurs, too often the ball stopped moving and there were a lot of quick shots rather than moving the ball to find the open man.  The Celtics must maintain their focus on team play and also on defense. 

Pedal to the Metal  The Celtics have to come out strong and not let up until the end of the game.  They can't let a team like the Hornets get a big lead  and they also can't let them hang around and keep it close.  The Celtics have to play all out the entire 48 minutes.

Bench Play  The Celtics bench has to keep up the level of play when they come into the game.   They have been improving but need to show more consistency from game to game. 

X-Factor
Focus
Too many times this season, the Celtics have not brought their focus with them on the road and have allowed the home team to out-play them on both ends of the court.  Regaining their defensive focus is especially important. 

[housecall]

Thanks for providing that very informative piece on the New Orleans Arena,especially about the affects of  Hurricane Katrina.They were a little luckier than some others. You always do a great job,tp FCF !

[RebusRankin]

Once again. a must win.

[rondohondo]

Doc and the big 3 should be on the Phone to PJ inviting him to come watch the game . Last year it was in New Orleans where the Big 3 talked him into coming back, maybe if he takes in a live game it will get those competitive juices going again. It's worth an invite at least , get on that PP,RA and KG!

[celticinorlando]

boston needs to bounce back tonight and tomorrow....i will feel pretty good with 2 wins on the road

[adam8]

It's always nice to beat a team full strength and I hope Chris Paul makes a full recovery, I just hope it is after this game.

The Hornets are as reliant on CP3 as any other team is on their top player would be nice if he decides to rest up so we can get a easy win tonite with another game tomorrow night. This should be a fun game either way it is always rockin in New Orleans

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Once again. a must win.

really? why?

[Andrew Celtic Nation]

We seem to play down to opponents when they are missing their big gun. I would probably rather CP3 try to play hurt and have us amped for the game than to get a lackluster effort. We need a win though so hopefully we go all out regardless.

[crownsy]

Once again. a must win.

really? why?

i wouldn't say must win, but i think its an important win to get before the break just to top off the old confidence meter and let the guys have a good break.

[Champzilla]

David West and CP3 are playing tonight ? I want to know for fantasy purposes.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Once again. a must win.

RR i like your game thread posts but these daily must wins kill me haha... Since we've lost to the Lakers and Spurs in the last two "must wins," what does that mean exactly? Have we been bumped already?

Pack it up guys... Time to trade GAP for draft picks and try to rebuild around Rondo, Perk, and the kids again!

[xmuscularghandix]

I feel a big night from Paul Pierce.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqtjFpAKVcU

[Mr October]

So if PJ Brown comes to the game, is he doing so to tease us?

[xmuscularghandix]

So if PJ Brown comes to the game, is he doing so to tease us?

if he comes to the game Sam is going to sit next to him and try to convince him for the entire game.

[Mr October]

So if PJ Brown comes to the game, is he doing so to tease us?

if he comes to the game Sam is going to sit next to him and try to convince him for the entire game.

Haha, I can see them sharing a bucket of popcorn. Sam, work your magic!