vs
Detroit Pistons (28-29) at Boston Celtics (47-13)
Sunday, March 1
1:00 PM ET
Game #61, Home Game #30
TV: ABC
TD Banknorth GardenProbable Starting Matchups Point Guard Rajon Rondo vs Rodney Stuckey
Shooting Guard Ray Allen vs Richard Hamilton
Small Forward Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince
Power Forward Glen Davis vs Antonio McDyess
Center Kendrick Perkins vs Rasheed Wallace
Reserves Tony Allen
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Stephon Marbury
Mikki Moore
Injuries:Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Tony Allen (thumb) out
Brian Scalabrine (neck) out
Paul Pierce (thumb) will play
Suspended Gabe Pruitt
Reserves Rodney Stuckey
Amir Johnson
Will Bynum
Walter Herrmann
Jason Maxiell
Arron Afflalo
Alex Acker
Walter Sharpe
Allen Iverson
InjuriesAllen Iverson (back) doubtful
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Rodney Stuckey
Chauncey Billups was traded to Denver and Allen Iverson was moved to shooting guard in order to make room for Stuckey as the starting point guard. The Pistons are very high on him and feel he is the future of the club. This will be a good matchup of 2 young and promising point guards
Rondo needs to be aggressive and not pass up shots as he did against the Pacers.
vs
Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince.
Prince is long and at times has been able to dominate against Pierce. Pierce on the other hand can use his strength against Prince. Pierce was tentative against the Pacers because of his injured thumb but they will need strong play from Pierce especially on the defensive end as Prince is capable of putting up big numbers.
Honorable MentionRay Allen vs Rip Hamilton
Hamilton was moved to the bench and the Pistons went on an 8 game losing streak. They won their last game after Rip was moved back to the starting lineup. It was Rip Hamilton who moved Ray to being wearing the shooting sleeve because Rip was living up to his nickname and leaving scratches on Ray's arm from his long fingernails. Both players are good at moving through screens to get open and it will be a good matchup.
ConnectionsRip Hamilton and Ray Allen are both former UConn Huskies
Pistons' assistant coach Dave Cowens played with the Celtics from 1970-1980, won 2 rings and had his #18 jersey retired
Tayshaun Prince and Rajon Rondo are both former Kentucky Wildcats
Keys to the GameBe Aggressive
Crash the Boards
No Let Up
Move the Ball and Find the Open Man
X-FactorFilling in the Holes
The Celtics are playing without Tony, KG, and Scal and they need players to step up and fill in the holes left by the injuries.