Blazers (14-6) at Celtics (18-2) 12/5

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Portland Trail Blazers (14-6) at Boston Celtics (18-2)
Friday, December 5
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #21 – Home Game #13
TV:  ESPN, CSN HD, CSN
Radio:  WEEI 
TD Banknorth Garden

Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.6
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222

Probable Starters

Rajon Rondo/Ray Allen/Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett/Kendrick Perkins


Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell 
 
Injuries:
Tony Allen (ankle) day to day




Coach: Nate McMillan
Average Age: 24.0
Average Height: 6-8
Average Weight: 222

Probable Starters
       
Steve Blake/Brandon Roy/Nicolas Batum/LaMarcus Aldridge/Greg Oden

Reserves
Sergio Rodriguez
Channing Frye
Travis Outlaw
Rudy Fernandez
Joel Przybilla
Jerryd Bayless
Ike Diogu
Raef LaFrentz
Shavlik Randolph
Martel Webster

Injuries
Raef LaFrentz (shoulder) out
Martel Webster (foot) doubtful

Key Matchups
  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Greg Oden
The Celtics were hoping to win the lottery so that they would have the chance to take Greg Oden.  This will be the first head to head matchup between Perk and Oden and it will be interesting to see how they match up. 

  vs 
Ray Allen vs Brandon Roy
Ray Allen will have his hands full guarding Brandon Roy and with the way Ray has been playing, the same can be said for Roy having to guard Ray.  This should be a good matchup. 

Game Notes: 
The Celtics are on a 10 game win streak and the Blazers are on a 6 game win streak.  One of those streaks will come to an end in this game.  The Celtics have swept the season series from the Blazers the last 3 seasons. 
The Blazers are 7-6 on the road and the Celtics are 11-1 at home. 

Team Connections
Raef LaFrentz played for the Celtics from 2002-2006
Ike Diogu and Eddie House both played for Arizona State
Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce played together on the Jayhawks
Joel Przybilla and Ray Allen were teammates in Milwaukee
Nate McMillan coached Ray Allen in Seattle from 2003-2005

X Factors
Youth vs Experience
Home Court Advantage   

[CelticBalla32]

I'll be at the game. Can't wait.

[ACF]

As always, TP4FL!

[RondosHands]

One thing that concerns me is the bench of the blazers. I know our bench has been playing well as of late but we need tony Allen to play so he can match up with the athleticism of their bench. Rudy Fernandez is playing hellified ball and is a sleeper candidate for roy. Hopefully the starters can give us a good cushion because we don't match up very good with their bench.

[FLCeltsFan]

I'll be at the game. Can't wait.

That's great CB!  Have fun! 

[FLCeltsFan]

As always, TP4FL!

TP for you as well ACF.  Thank you for all your support and encouragement! 

[celticmaestro]

TP again Fl, thanks for putting this together.

[ACF]

As always, TP4FL!

TP for you as well ACF.  Thank you for all your support and encouragement! 

My pleasure.


A great game to all, especially
to those going tonight. I'm sure
you'll have a good one.

GO CELTICS!

[houlana]

TP as always.

man, they really have a deep bench, i really really like rudy fernandez, wish he played for the celts.

is Tony gona be playing today?

[FLCeltsFan]

Thanks and a TP back at you to Maestro and houlana.

From what Scott Souza said it doesn't look like Tony will be playing but you never know.   

[ManUp]

I wonder if Oden's presence in the middle can discourage Rondo from driving so much, if at all. If he can't I'm calling the destruction to Steve Blake, and win 11.

TP to FLC the MVP (Most Valuable Poster) .

[thecaptain34]

Hmm, Pierce picking up right where he left off?
where the heck did his confidence go? he looks unsure of himself lately

[fatherscott]

They're absoltuely right -- the Cs aren't taking what's there...Ray passing in the middle of an open 3 -- what is he thinking? Just play your games boys.

[fatherscott]

I hate that call on the tech on Oden.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Oden's a beast. We've been a bit shaky so far.