Pacers (25-35) at Celtics (46-13) 2/27

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Indiana Pacers (25-35) Boston Celtics (46-13)
Friday, February 27
7:30 PM
Game #60, Home Game#29
TV:  CSN HD, FSI, LP NBA 3,  LP 754
TD Banknorth Garden


ProbableStarting Matchups
PointGuard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs TJ Ford

Shooting Guard
  vs 
Ray Allen vs Jarrett Jack

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Marquis Daniels

Power Forward
  vs 
Big Baby Davis vs Troy Murphy

Center
  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Roy Hibbert




Off the Bench
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Mikki Moore
Stephon Marbury

Injuries:
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Tony Allen (thumb)  out
Brian Scalabrine (neck)  out
Paul Pierce (thumb) probable


Off the Bench
Brandon Rush
Jeff Foster
Maceo Baston
Stephen Graham
Josh McRoberts
Jamaal Tinsley
Travis Deiner
Mike Dunleavy
Jamaal Tinsley   
Rasho Nesterovic

Injuries

Mike Dunleavy (knee)  day to day
TJ Ford (flu) probable
Danny Granger (foot)  out   

Matchups to Watch
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs TJ Ford
TJ Ford is one of the very few point guards who may be even faster than Rajon Rondo.  They have played each other fairly even in the past with Rondo coming out ahead in some games and TJ coming out ahead in some games.  TJ missed the Pacer's last game with the flu so he it is still up in the air whether he will play in this one and if he does, the flu may have slowed him somewhat.   Hopefully he will play because this is a fun matchup to watch.   

  vs   
Paul Pierce vs Marquis Daniels
Paul Pierce normally has to deal with Danny Granger, who has always been a tough matchup for him.  With Granger out, Pierce will be matched up with Marquis Daniels.  With Pierce's thumb injury from the Clippers game, Doc may decide it is a good time to give him a rest and give Bill Walker a chance to show what he can do.   Even with the thumb injury, Pierce should be able to get the best of this matchup. 

Honorable Mention
Kendrick Perkins vs Roy Hibbert
Hibbert has the height advantage but Perk has the strength advantage.  Should be quite a battle between these two big men. 

Players to Watch
Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury
Mikki will be playing in his second game and will have had a day to work on learning the Celtics system.  Reports in the NY Times indicate that Marbury will be in uniform for the Celtics on Friday for his first game in over a year.  It is safe to say that there will be some rust, but how he approaches the game may indicate how much he will buy into the Celtics' system.   

Team Connections
Danny Granger and JR Giddens are both former New Mexico Lobos
Rasho Nesterovic and KG were teammates in Minnesota from 1998-2003
Pacers Coach Jim O'Brien coached the Celtics from 2001-2004
Pacers assistant coaches Harter, Conner, and Vogel were assistants under Obie in Boston from 2001-2004
Pacers GM Larry Bird won 3 rings in Boston and his number was retired on 2/04/93

Game Notes
The Celtics lead the series 2-1 this season after a loss in Indiana's home opener and a win in both Boston and Indiana in December. 

Indiana is a strong home team, but has faltered on the road with a 7-24 record away from Conseco.  The Celtics have taken care of their home court pretty well and are 24-4 at the Garden.  Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10 games with the Pacers coming off a win over the Grizzlies and the Celtics limping home after a loss to the Clippers. 

The Pacers are the only team to beat all of the leading contenders this season, having beat the Celtics, Lakers, Cavs and Magic at least once this season.   They are a tough team and shouldn't be taken lightly. 

X Factor
Injuries and Fatigue
The Celtics have several key players out and will be tired from the road trip they are coming off of.  They will have to regroup and players will have to step up if they expect to win this game.   

[Evantime34]

you might have to update that to add Marbury if all goes well.

[FLCeltsFan]

you might have to update that to add Marbury if all goes well.

That would be my pleasure

[Fafnir]

Going to miss tonight's game. TP for FLCeltsFan and here's to coming back home!

[cordobes]

Good game thread. I expect a blow out, they lack their best players and JOB has been feeding the rookies with minutes.

[chief3233]

If Perk doesn't dominate that rookie twig they call Hibbert....

[ACF]

Tommy Point for FL as usual.

I hope I can stay up. The game is played
at 1:30 am Copenhagen (CET) time 

[celticinorlando]

globe says marbury likely to play tonight..i guess with gabe out and paul nursing a sore thumb no better time to get him in and going

[steved24]

Can anyone tell me what the diagnosis was on Paul's thumb? I saw the game and how it happened but didn't hear anything after as to what exactly it was and if he's okay.

[celticinorlando]

he said it as dislocated twice but the X rays were neg. he said it was sore but managable and will play

[MattG12]

I am way too excited about this game... seriously every minute feels like an hour.

[Mr October]

I wont be able to see this one..... not on espn 

I'm looking forward to hearing the blog's reaction to Marbury's appearance, the crowd reaction, and all that good stuff - if it happens tonight. I'm dying to see the Detroit game on ABC this sunday. 

Go Celtics!!!

[twinbree]

Its so good to hear Mike and Tommy again. Its been a while since they had a home game that wasn't on national TV.

[Cman]

I wont be able to see this one..... not on espn 

Me neither --
if anyone can post a picture or something about what the Garden is like when Marbury first plays (standing O? boos?) please do!

[butterbeanlove]

Obie's teams do not make it easy with their zone-type defenses. They'll make us work for this one.