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Boston Celtics (42-15) at Utah Jazz (32-28)
Monday, February 28
9:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #58 Road Game #28
Regular Season Games Remaining: 24
TV: NBA-TV, NBAC, CSN-NE, FSR-UT
Radio: WEEI, KFNZ
Energy Solutions Arena 
Probable Starters 
PG: Rajon Rondo 10.7 PPG 12.1 APG 2.3 SPG
SG: Ray Allen 17.3 PPG 2.8 APG .452 3P%
SF: Paul Pierce 18.9 PPG 5.0 RPG 3.2 APG
PF: Kevin Garnett 15.1 PPG 9.2 RPG 0.8 BPG
C: Nenad Krstic 7.6 PPG 4.4 RPG 0.4 BPG
Boston Bench MobGlen Davis
Delonte West
Von Wafer
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Chris Johnson
InjuredJermaine O'Neal (knee) out
Shaquille O'Neal (Achilles) out
Probable StartersPG Devin Harris 15.0 PPG 7.6 APG 1.0 SPG
SG: Raja Bell 8.6 PPG 1.7 APG .355 3P%
SF Andrei Kirilenko 11.9 PPG 5.5 RPG 3.0 APG
PF Paul Millsap 17.3 PPG 8.0 RPG 0.9 BPG
C Al Jefferson 17.8 PPG 9.1 RPG 1.9 BPG
Jazz Reserves CJ Miles
Francisco Elson
Ronnie Price
Earl Watson
Kyrylo Fesenko
Gordon Hayward
Jeremy Evans
Derrick Favors
InjuriesMehmet Okur (back) out
Team ConnectionsAl Jefferson was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 15th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and played for
the Celtics from 2004‐07…
Shaquille O’Neal and Raja Bell were teammates in Phoenix during the 2008‐09 season
Game NotesThis is a meeting of two teams trying to find chemistry with new players after having a key player on the team traded. The Celtics are trying to come to terms with missing Perk while the Jazz are trying to find their way after trading their All Star point guard of the past 7 seasons, Deron Williams. Devin Harris is running the point for them but obviously won't know all of their offensive sets yet. The same is true of the Celtics with 2 new players getting a crash course in the Celtics offense and defense.
These two teams have split the series the last 2 years. The Celtics have already beaten the Jazz 110 - 86 in Boston and would love to sweep the series this season and finish this road trip with a 3-1 record. The Jazz are 36-46 all time vs the Celtics and 25-16 all time at home.
Both teams last played on Saturday with the Celtics winning against the Clippers and the Jazz losing to Detroit on the road. The Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10 games while the Jazz are 3-7 in their last 10. The Celtics are 17-10 on the road.
The Celtics will get to see their old friend Al Jefferson again but it will be bittersweet as there will be a hole in the Celtics for Al as well since he and Perk always stayed close over the years.
Both teams are working in new players who will struggle with missed assignments and chemistry. Both teams are missing a center to injury. It will come down to focus and the ability to work in their new players on both teams. Hopefully the Celtics will come out focused in this game and finish the road trip out with a win.
Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Deron Williams
I'm not sure if Rondo will be disappointed or relieved that he won't have to play against Deron Williams in this one. Williams was always one of Rondo's tougher matchups. Harris is still a good point guard in his own right, but Rondo should be able to get the best of this matchup.
vs
Paul Pierce vs Andrei Kirilenko
In 7 of the last 11 meetings between these 2 teams, Pierce was the Celtics high scorer. He always plays very well against Kirilenko. In fact, in one game he played so well, he left Kirilenko in tears at the end of the game. Hopefully the Captain will come through again and lead the Celtics to a win.
Honorable Mention Nenad Krstic vs Al Jefferson
Krstic is going to need to defend the post in order to prevent Al from having a big game since he is a very good post scorer. Krstic has a height advantage and Al has the strength advantage. Hopefully Krstic's ability to hit the jumper will help him in this matchup.
Keys to the Game Defense - The Celtics will need to make defense a priority in every game but especially against the Jazz as they have some very good scorers and the Celtics will have trouble winning a shoot out. They have to get stops if they want to win the game.
Rebound Krstic gave the Celtics a boost on the offensive boards in his first game. It would be great if he would continue that effort on the boards and extend his efforts to the defensive end. They need to crash the boards to limit second chance points and fast breaks for the Jazz.
Bench The Jazz has a very strong bench and the Celtics bench mob will need to play well in this game in order for the game not to get out of control while the starters rest. The bench will be the difference between a close game and a blowout and possibly between a win and a loss. The Celtics bench is finally starting to come together with the return of Delonte and with the addition of Jeff Green. They have to play as a unit and play well.
Be Aggressive Sometimes the Celtics get passive and when they do, they always struggle and always seem to pick up a lot more fouls. The Celtics must be aggressive and go strong to the basket, go after loose balls and crash the boards. We saw that in the second half against the Clippers and hopefully that will carry over into this game as well.
Play 48 Minutes The Celtics can't have a sloppy first half and expect to always pull away in the second half. They need to come out strong and play hard until the final buzzer. The Jazz always play hard and the Celtics need to match that effort.
X-FactorsChemistry and Road Wear
Both teams will be working to develop chemistry with new players. The team that is more successful in this area will more than likely win. The last game on the road is always tough and the Celtics need to resist the urge to look ahead to being home and take care of business in this game.
Topic: Celtics (42-15) at Jazz (32-28) 2/28 (Read 78558 times)