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Boston Celtics (19-2) at Indiana Pacers (7-12)
Sunday, December 7
6:00 PM
Game #22, Road Game #9
TV: FSI, CSN HD, NBA LP 752
Conseco Fieldhouse ProbableStarting Matchups PointGuard vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 10.4 RPG 4.80 APG 7.7 EFF + 18.19
TJ Ford PPG 14.6 RPG 4.60 APG 5.4 EFF + 16.05
Shooting Guard vs
Ray Allen PPG 18.4 RPG 3.70 APG 2.7 EFF + 16.90
Marquis Daniels PPG 15.4 RPG 5.70 APG 2.1 EFF + 14.00
Small Forward vs
Paul Pierce PPG 18.3 RPG 6.20 APG 3.3 EFF + 17.14
Danny Granger PPG 23.3 RPG 4.90 APG 2.8 EFF + 19.78
Power Forward vs
Kevin Garnett PPG 16.4 RPG 8.90 APG 2.3 EFF + 20.85
Troy Murphy PPG 11.2 RPG 10.90 APG 2.4 EFF + 17.89
Center vs
Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.8 RPG 8.10 APG 1.3 EFF + 13.57
Rasho Nesterovic PPG 9.5 RPG 5.50 APG 3.1 EFF + 13.53
Off the Bench Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
Injuries:Tony Allen (ankle) day to day
D-LeagueJR Giddens
Bill Walker
Off the BenchJarrett Jack
Brandon Rush
Jeff Foster
Roy Hibbert
Maceo Baston
Stephen Graham
Josh McRoberts
Jamaal Tinsley
Injuries Travis Diener (foot) day to day
Mike Dunleavy (knee) out
In the Dog HouseJamaal Tinsley
Matchups to Watch vs
Paul Pierce PPG 18.3 RPG 6.20 APG 3.3 EFF + 17.14
Danny Granger PPG 23.3 RPG 4.90 APG 2.8 EFF + 19.78
This is a great matchup of two exciting wing players. Granger I am sure remembers losing his teeth in their first matchup. Pierce hasn't been putting up big numbers in their last few games but you have to think that if he is needed, his numbers will be there. His defense on Granger may be more important than the offensive numbers he puts up.
vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 10.4 RPG 4.80 APG 7.7 EFF + 18.19
TJ Ford PPG 14.6 RPG 4.60 APG 5.4 EFF + 16.05
TJ Ford is one of the very few point guards who may be even faster than Rajon Rondo. They have played each other fairly even in the past with Rondo coming out ahead in some games and TJ coming out ahead in some games. In their first matchup, was TJ's turn to lead as he finished with 19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals to just 2 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Rondo. In the last matchup, Rondo notched his first triple double and definitely got the best of this matchup up. With the way Rondo has been playing, you have to think that he has a good chance of coming out on top again. This is a fun matchup to watch.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Garnett PPG 16.4 RPG 8.90 APG 2.3 EFF + 20.85
Troy Murphy PPG 11.2 RPG 10.90 APG 2.4 EFF + 17.89
Murphy is averaging a double double and had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Celtics last game against the Pacers. It will be especially important to keep him off the boards. After KG's outburst in the huddle in the Blazers game, I expect him to be pretty intense in this one.
Game NotesThe series is tied 1-1 between these two teams with each team winning on their home court. The Celtics lead the series 75-69 overall.
The Pacers are among the league leaders in steals. The Celtics have to take good care of the ball or the Pacers will make them pay.
It will be interesting to see how Big Baby responds to KG's chastisement and his outburst from the last game. How he responds in this game will say a lot about his character.
Team ConnectionsDanny Granger and JR Giddens are both former New Mexico Lobos
Rasho Nesterovic and Kevin Garnett were teammates in Minnesota from 1998-2003
Jim O'Brien coached the Celtics from 2001-2004
Pacers assistant coaches Dick Harter, Lester Conner, and Frank Nogel were assistant coaches under O'Brien in Boston
Pacers President of Basketball Operations, Larry Bird, won 3 championships with the Celtics and his #33 was retired on 2/4/93.
X-Factor Home Team vs Road Team.
Both teams had the night before this game off. In both previous games one or the other was on the second of back to back games. The key will be the Celtics play on the road. Have they gotten past their struggles on the road from the playoffs? It was in Indiana where they were blown out in Indiana's home opener. The Pacers are 5-4 at home and the Celtics are 7-1 on the road with the single loss being in Indiana.