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Boston Celtics (47-14) at New Jersey Nets (26-33)
Regular Season Game 62 – Road Game #32
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
7:30 PM ET
TV: CSN HD, YES HD, NBA LP 753
IZOD CenterProbableStarting Matchups Point Guard vs
Rajon Rondo vs Devin Harris
Shooting Guard vs
Ray Allen vs Vince Carter
Small Forward vs
Paul Pierce vs Trenton Hassell
Power Forward vs
Glen Davis vs Yi Jianlian
Center vs
Kendrick Perkins vs Brook Lopez
ReservesEddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Mikki Moore
Stephon Marbury
Injuries:
Tony Allen (thumb) out
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Brian Scalabrine (neck/head) out
Paul Pierce (thumb) will play
ReservesJosh Boone
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Jarvis Hayes
Eduardo Najera
Keyon Dooling
Maurice Ager
Sean Williams
Bobby Simmons
Ryan Anderson
InjuriesEduardo Najera (ab strain) out
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 11.7 RPG 5.40 APG 8.5 EFF + 19.22
Devin Harris PPG 22.3 RPG 3.20 APG 6.6 EFF + 20.71
Rondo has held his own vs Harris in their two meetings so far this season. Devin Harris has been playing very well and got the nod for the All Star game over Rondo. Rondo should take that personally and use it as motivation to come out and play aggressively in this one.
vs
Ray Allen PPG 18.4 RPG 3.40 APG 2.8 EFF + 17.20
Vince Carter PPG 20.5 RPG 5.10 APG 4.8 EFF + 19.40
Ray had an off game vs the Pistons and hopefully will bounce back in this one. He will have a tough job on the defensive end trying to contain the explosive Carter.
Honorable Mention Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.8 RPG 8.00 APG 1.2 EFF + 13.67
Brook Lopez PPG 12.5 RPG 8.00 APG 0.9 EFF + 16.50
Perk will have his hands full with Brook Lopez who has been playing very well this season. Lopez has the size advantage and Perk has an experience advantage.
Biggest Mismatch Glen Davis vs Yi Jianlian
Big Baby has size and strength but Yi has the height. It will be interesting to see how this one works out.
Team ConnectionsBrian Scalabrine played for the Nets from 01-05
Josh Boone and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Stromile Swift and Big Baby both went to LSU
Ryan Anderson and Leon Powe are both former Cal Bears
Eddie House played for the Nets in the 06-07 season
Nets assistant coaches Doug Overton (99-01) and Roy Rogers (97-98) both played for the Celtics
Eddie House and Keyon Dooling were teammates on the Clippers
Keys to the Game Focus The Celtics seem to be losing focus in games recently. Whether they are tired, or missing the injured players or for some other reason, they look almost disinterested at times. They need to get that focus back and get back to playing Celtics' team ball.
Defense The Celtics' success has come from their intensity on the defensive end. Against the Clippers and then the Pistons, that defense was no where to be found for most of the game. They lose some of that defensive intensity without KG, but even without him, they need to get back to what won them the title, and that is playing lock down defense.
Be Closers Twice recently the Celtics have had problems closing out a game and have allowed teams to outscore them down the stretch. They need to get that killer instinct back and close out games.
X-FactorRest vs Fatigue
The Celtics have been off since their Sunday afternoon loss to the Pistons while the Nets are playing in the second of back to back games. The Celtics have typically played very well when given two days off before a game. Paul Pierce especially will benefit from the days off and will hopefully be able to shake off the thumb injury.