Celtics (46-12) at Clippers (14-43) 2/25

[FLCeltsFan]

   at 
Boston Celtics (46-12) at Los Angeles Clippers (14-43)
Wednesday, February 25
10:30 PM ET
Game #59, Road Game #31
TV:  FSN Prime Ticket, CSN HD, NBA LP 760
Staples Center


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Baron Davis 

Shooting Guard
  vs 
Ray Allen vs Eric Gordon

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs  Ricky Davis 

Power Forward
vs
Leon Powe vs Steve Novak

Center
vs




Reserves
Glen Davis
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Mikki Moore

Injuries:
Tony Allen (thumb) out
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Brian Scalabrine (neck) out 
Ray Allen (tail bone)  will play


Reserves
Fred Jones
Mardy Collins
Mike Taylor
Alex Acker
Jason Hart
DeAndre Jordan
Al Thornton
Marcus Camby

Injuries
Al Thornton (foot) questionable
Chris Kaman (arch) out
Brian Skinner (Achilles)  out

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo  PPG 11.7 RPG 5.30 APG 8.4 EFF + 19.31
Baron Davis   PPG 15,5 RPG 3,50 APG 8,0 EFF + 15,65
Once again Rondo faces a tough opponent in Baron Davis.  So far he has met every challenge and then some.  Hopefully Rajon will continue his strong aggressive play in this game and make Baron look old just as he did Kidd, Nash and Billups.   

vs
Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.9 RPG 7.90 APG 1.2 EFF + 13.63
Zach Randolph   PPG 21.6 RPG 10.40 APG 2.0 EFF + 22.15
This will be some physical play inside between these two very big men.  Perk will need to do his thing on defense to keep Randolph from getting to the hoop especially without KG to help on defense. Randoph returned from a 2 game suspension for throwing a punch to score 27 points and 11 rebounds in their win over Golden State. 

Honorable Mention
Paul Pierce PPG 20.1 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 19.38
Ricky Davis PPG 6.6 RPG 1.70 APG 2.3 EFF + 5.31
This should be a good matchup between two former teammates.  Pierce should keep in mind Ricky celebrating after beating the Celtics when he was with the Wolves and make sure he doesn't get to celebrate in this one. 

Team Connections
Baron Davis and Paul Pierce co-host a charity event each summer
Eddie House played for the Clippers in 03-04
Doc Rivers played for the Clippers 91-92
Marcus Camby played for Tom Thibodeau in New York from 98-02
Jason Hart and Eddie House were teammates in Charlotte 03-04
Ricky Davis played for the Celtics 03-06
Celtics assistant coach Armond Hill played for the Clippers 81-82
Brian Scalabrine, Gabe Pruitt and Paul Pierce are all from the LA area
Marcus Camby is from Hartford and played at UMass

Game Notes
This is the first meeting between these two teams this season.  The Celtics swept the series last season.   The Clippers are 7-21 at home while the Celtics are 21-8 on the road.  The Clippers are 4-6 in their last ten games and are 5-15 vs the East.  The Celtics are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are 16-8 vs the West. 

Scal has been sent back to Boston so I am guessing that Leon will get the start in his place. 

X-Factor
Trap Game
This is the final stop on the Celtics 6 game road trip.  After facing 5 teams all over .500, it would be easy to take the Clippers for granted.  The Celtics need to keep their focus and play as if the Clippers were contenders.  They can't afford to let down vs the sub .500 teams as we have found out that these teams often play their best games of the season vs the Celtics and we need to be ready for that.  It would be nice to close out this trip with a win. 

[FLCeltsFan]

I hate these late games.  Have to work on 4 hours sleep again tomorrow.  I can't wait to see how Mikki Moore looks with that second unit even without practice.   Also, I think Doc needs to give Walker more minutes.  He could be the back up 3 that we need.  I like what I have seen from him so far. 

[Cman]

I can't wait to see how Mikki Moore looks with that second unit even without practice.   Also, I think Doc needs to give Walker more minutes.  He could be the back up 3 that we need.  I like what I have seen from him so far. 

Agreed.  Here's hoping that the Celtics are up by 20 points mid way through the 4th quarter so PP and RA can rest and Walker and Giddens get some pt.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Is Moore expected to play? I have my doubts about Doc inserting him into the game without practice wether he's expected to play or not. Knowing Doc he probably won't. Unless there's a blowout of course.

[RAcker]

Please win this game or I'm going to lose what I just ate for lunch.   

[ACF]

Tommy Point once again, FL.
Also, where can I buy one of those chairs? 

Enjoy the game, people.

GO CELTICS!

[xmuscularghandix]

i wanna score 150.

[FLCeltsFan]

Tommy Point once again, FL.
Also, where can I buy one of those chairs? 

Enjoy the game, people.

GO CELTICS!

Thanks ACF.   You can find the chairs and some other Celtics furniture here  http://www.guidecraft.com/search?q=Boston+Celtics
they are a bit pricey but pretty cool. 

[RAcker]

i wanna score 150.

Is this Steve Kerr?   

[silvershamrocker]

So Moore is going to play.

I wonder if Marbury will attend the game as a fan? That'd be funny.

[xmuscularghandix]

Mikki Moore will score 30 points, grab 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

[Cman]

Mikki Moore will score 30 points, grab 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Quite the prediction!
If either one of those 3 happens, I will reward you with TPs.

[Quinn]

I'm looking for a big game from Perkins.
double-double, even against randolph.

[xmuscularghandix]

Mikki Moore will score 30 points, grab 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Quite the prediction!
If either one of those 3 happens, I will reward you with TPs.

haha thanks.

[RAcker]

I wonder if Marbury will attend the game as a fan? That'd be funny.

What would really be funny is if the Celtics announced that Sam Cassell was going to be brought on as a replacement for Lucky.