at
Boston Celtics (32-9) at New Jersey Nets (19-20)
Regular Season Game #42 – Road Game #20
Saturday, January 17, 2009
1:00 PM ET
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 Bobby Simmons
Power Forward vs
Kevin Garnett vs Ryan Anderson
Center vs
Brian Scalabrine vs Brook Lopez
ReservesTony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Injuries:
Tony Allen (ankle) out
Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) out
JR Giddens (wrist) out
Eddie House (ankle) probable
ReservesJosh Boone
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Jarvis Hayes
Eduardo Najera
Keyon Dooling
Maurice Ager
Trenton Hassell
Stromile Swift
Sean Williams
Yi Jianlian
InjuriesYi Jianlian ( finger ) out
Josh Boone (ankle) day to day
Vince Carter (leg) probable
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 10.8 RPG 4.80 APG 7.8 EFF + 17.85
Devin Harris PPG 22.7 RPG 3.20 APG 6.5 EFF + 21.36
Rondo more than held his own against Harris in their first meeting in Boston on Wednesday. He seemed to have that aggressiveness back that he was lacking during the Celtics losing streak. Hopefully he will keep that aggressiveness on the road.
vs
Ray Allen PPG 17.7 RPG 3.40 APG 2.7 EFF + 16.39
Vince Carter PPG 22.2 RPG 4.90 APG 4.8 EFF + 20.49
Ray Allen was quiet but efficient in the first matchup between these division rivals, hitting 5 of 8 shots for 12 points in just 28 minutes. Vince Carter was ineffectual as he scored just 4 points on 1-10 shooting. Carter limped to the locker room after a collision with Scal but returned to the game later. I expect him to play in this game and to try to redeem himself after the poor performance in Boston.
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 After blowing out the Nets by 32, it would be easy for the Celtics to let up against them in this game, but that would be a mistake. The Nets are a better team than their record and the last game would indicate and if taken for granted, will take advantage.
Defense The Celtics beat the Nets in Boston with defense. This was their calling card in their 19 game win streak as well as in winning their championship last season. They got away from playing defense during their slump this season and at times have not brought their defense on the road. They need to remember that defense wins games and focus on that in this game.
Play 48 Minutes Just as in the first meeting between these two teams, the Celtics need to come out strong and finish strong with no let ups. They finally put together a complete game from start to finish and the results were very good. Hopefully they will do the same in this game.
X-FactorRoad vs Home The Nets have played better on the road this season than they have at home. On the other hand, the Celtics have struggled on the road in several games this season. The Celtics need to come out with the same intensity in New Jersey as they did at home.