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Sacramento Kings (10-35) at Boston Celtics (37-9)
Wednesday, January 28
7:30 PM ET
Game #47, Home Game #25
TV:CSN HD, CSN CA, NBA LP 752
TD Banknorth Garden Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222 Probable Starters PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.9 RPG 4.90 APG 8.0 EFF + 18.02
SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.1 RPG 3.40 APG 2.7 EFF + 16.93
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 19.1 RPG 5.70 APG 3.7 EFF + 18.66
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 16.1 RPG 9.20 APG 2.6 EFF + 21.98
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 8.6 RPG 8.10 BPG 1.7 EFF + 14.05
ReservesTony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
Bill Walker
Injuries: Tony Allen (ankle) probable
JR Giddens (wrist) day to day
Brian Scalabrine (concussion) out
Coach: Kenny Natt
Average Age: 26.5
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 216
Probable Starters PG: Beno Udrih PPG 11.3 RPG 2.80 APG 4.5 EFF + 11.71
SG: Kevin Martin PPG 24.3 RPG 3.10 APG 2.7 EFF + 17.67
SF: John Salmons PPG 18.9 RPG 4.00 APG 3.4 EFF + 16.88
PF: Jason Thompson PPG 9.7 RPG 6.80 APG 1.0 EFF + 11.86
C: Brad Miller PPG 12.0 RPG 8.20 APG 3.5 EFF + 17.45
ReservesMikki Moore
Bobby Jackson
Spencer Hawes
Bobby Brown
Donte Greene
Sheldon Williams
Quincy Douby
Francisco Garcia
Kenny Thomas
Injuries Sheldon Williams (wrist) day to day
Key Matchups
vs
When Rondo is playing well and distributing the ball along with being aggressive, we have seen that it doesn't matter who he is matched up against. He has outplayed almost every PG in the league and clearly outplayed Udrih in their first matchup. He should do the same in this game.
vs
Brad Miller is a tough inside player and there will be a battle between these two for control of the paint.
Honorable Mention Paul Pierce vs John Salmons
Salmons is one of the Kings' top scorers and they will look to go to him often. Pierce should be able to get his shot off against Salmons but will also need to keep Salmons from going off on the offensive end.
ConnectionsMikki Moore and Brian Scalabrine were teammates in New Jersey
Eddie House played on the Kings in the '02-03 season
Mikki Moore played for the Celtics in the '02-03 season
Kenny Thomas and J.R. Giddens are former New Mexico Lobos
Game NotesThis is the second meeting between these two teams. The first meeting at Arco Arena ended with the Celtics handing the Kings their worst loss in franchise history, beating them 108-63. Even though mired in a slump at the time, the Celtics were able to totally dominate the Kings on their own court. The Kings are 3-20 on the road while the Celtics are 22-2 at home. The Kings are on a 5 game losing streak while the Celtics are on an 8 game win streak.
X-Factor Trap Game The Celtics beat this team so easily in their first meeting even though they were playing poorly at the time that it would be very easy to overlook this team. However, one of their wins was a 113-101 win over the Lakers and another was a win over the Hornets, both teams who should have beat them but possibly took them for granted. The Celtics need to play as though this team was a title contender because they have a way of sneaking up on teams that overlook them.