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GoldenState Warriors (5-9) at Boston Celtics (13-2)
Wednesday, November 26
7:30 PM ET
Game #16, Home Game #9
TV: CSNHD, CSN Bay, NBA LP 754
Radio: WEEI
TD Banknorth Garden Probable Starters PG Rajon Rondo PPG 9.3 RPG 3.90 APG 6.5
SG Ray Allen PPG 16.9 RPG 4.40 APG 2.9
SF Paul Pierce PPG 19.0 RPG 7.20 APG 3.6
PF Kevin Garnett PPG 16.1 RPG 8.70 APG 2.2
C Kendrick Perkins PPG 6.4 RPG 7.30 BPG 1.9
Reserves Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
Injuries:None
Probable InactiveSam Cassell
D-LeagueJR Giddens
Bill Walker
Probable Starters PG Anthony Morrow PPG 14.0 RPG 3.30 APG 0.9
SG Stephen Jackson PPG 21.9 RPG 4.30 APG 6.5
SF Corey Maggette PPG 17.2 RPG 5.40 APG 2.3
PF Kelenna Azubuike PPG 15.8 RPG 4.50 APG 1.7
C Andris Biedrins PPG 16.8 RPG 13.50 APG 2.1
Reserves CJ Watson
Ronny Turiaf
Anthony Randolph
Brandan Wright
Rob Kurz
Marco Belinelli
Marcus Williams
Jamal Crawford
Richard Hendrix
DeMarcus Nelson
Injured Monta Ellis (Ankle) Also suspended
Probable Inactive Jamal Crawford
Richard Hendrix
DeMarcus Nelson
KeyMatchups vs
Paul Pierce PPG 19.0 RPG 7.20 APG 3.6
Corey Maggette PPG 17.2 RPG 5.40 APG 2.3
Both of these players are capable of putting a lot of points on the board. Pierce has the advantage on the defensive end, however.
vs
Kevin Garnett PPG 16.1 RPG 8.70 APG 2.2
Kelenna Azubuike PPG 15.8 RPG 4.50 APG 1.7
Azubuike gives up 7 inches to KG and also 11 years of experience. The Celtics should look to to go KG often to exploit this matchup.
Honorable MentionKendrick Perkins vs Andris Biedrins
Biedrins has been playing on an all star level. He is averaging a double double and is tied with Dwight Howard for first in the league in rebounding. He had a string of 17 double doubles in a row that was stopped on 11/18 when he came 1 rebound short of his 18th double double. No one had recorded 17 or more double doubles since KG had 37 in a row from 2/2/06-11/6/06. He is one of the most underrated centers in the league. It will be up to Perk to stop him.
Game Notes: The Warriors are a high scoring team and look to run and put points up quickly. They are 3rd in the league in points per game at 103.5. This will be a case of top offense meeting top defense.
The Celtics and the Warriors tied their series last season with each team winning on their home court. They are 5-5 since the '03-04 season.
The Warriors are second in the league in offensive rebounds at 14 per game and they are 2nd in the league in second chance points. The Celtics need to crash the boards to prevent the Warriors from getting those second and third chances to score. The Warriors are also first in the league in points in the paint and third in blocks per game. In spite of their sub .500 record, they aren't a pushover and the Celtics need to be ready for them.
The Warriors are on the road and playing in the second of back to back games. The Celtics have been off since Sunday and should be well rested. With the Warriors' high speed offense, fatigue could be a factor. However, with the Warriors being the youngest team in the league, they may not get quite as tired as a lot of teams would. They have just 3 players who are over 26 and none older than 30. They also have 7 players who are 22 or younger.
Team ConnectionsPatrick O'Bryant was drafted by the Warriors with the 9th pick in the 2006 draft.
Clifford Ray played for the Warriors from 1975-81 and won a championship with them in 1975.
Azubuike and Rondo are both former Kentucky Wildcats
Randolph and Big Baby are both former LSU Tigers
Corey Maggette played for Doc in Orlando
Stephen Jackson and Rajon Rondo both played for Oak Hill Academy
Marcus Williams and Ray Allen are both former UConn Huskies