at
Orlando Magic (13-4) at Boston Celtics (16-2)
Monday, December 1
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #19, Home Game #11
TV: NBA TV, CSN HD, Sun Sports
Radio: WEEI
TD Banknorth Garden Probable Starting Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Anthony Johnson
vs
Ray Allen vs JJ Redick
vs
Paul Pierce vs Hedo Turkoglu
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Rashard Lewis
vs
Kendrick Perkins vs Dwight Howard
Reserves Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
InjuriesNone
D-League JR Giddens
Bill Walker
ReservesBrian Cook
Courtney Lee
Tony Battie
Marcin Gortat
Adonal Foyle
Jeremy Richardson
Injuries Jameer Nelson (hip flexor) out
Keith Bogans (thumb) out
Mickael Pietrus (thumb) out
Mike Wilkes (acl) out
Key Matchups vs
Kendrick Perkins 7.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG
Dwight Howard 21.8 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 3.9 BPG
Dwight Howard is one of the best centers in the league and he has been playing very well on both ends of the court. He had 32 points and 21 rebounds in his last game. He is leading the league in rebounds and blocks per game. Perk will have his hands full trying to contain Howard.
vs
Paul Pierce 18.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.4 APG
Hedo Turkoglu 17.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.9 APG
I am sure Pierce hasn't forgotten the last meeting between these two teams when Turkoglu hit a last second 3 pointer for the win. He is shooting over 30% from beyond the arc and Pierce will need to work on the defensive end to keep Turkoglu in check.
HonorableMention Rajon Rondo vs Anthony Johnson
When Rondo is aggressive, the team is very hard to stop. Rondo needs to continue to push the ball up the court and take it at Johnson on every possession.
Connections Doc Rivers coached the Magic from 1999-2004
Tony Battie played for the Celtics from 1999-2004
Mickael Pietrus, Adonal Foyle, and Patrick O'Bryant were teammates in Golden State
Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis were teammates in Seattle
Keith Bogans and Rajon Rondo are former Kentucky Wildcats
Keith Bogans and Eddie House were teammates in Charlotte
Anthony Johnson and Scal were teammates in New Jersey
Anthony Johnson played for Doc in Orlando
Clifford Ray was an assistant for the Magic and mentored Dwight Howard in his first years in the league.