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Boston Celtics (20-33) at Phoenix Suns (29-27)
Monday, February 23, 2015
9:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #53, Road Game #26
TV: CSNNE, FSAZ, NBA-LP 758(DTV)/757(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, AZ Sports 98.7
US Airways CenterProbable Starters PG: Marcus Smart ...................... SG: Avery Bradley
C: Tyler Zeller
SG: Evan Turner ................ PF: Brandon Bass
Celtics ReservesGerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
James Young
Phil Pressey
Shavlik Randolph
Isaiah Thomas
Jonas Jerebko
Gigi Datome
InjuriesKelly Olynyk (ankle) out
Jared Sullinger (foot) out
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters PG: Eric Bledsoe ................. SG: Gerald Green
C: Alex Len
SF: PJ Tucker ................ PF: Markieff Morris
Suns ReservesBrandon Knight
Marcus Morris
Brandan Wright
Archie Goodwin
Earl Barron
Reggie Bullock
Marcus Thornton
TJ Warren
Danny Granger
Injuries None
Head Coach Jeff Hornacek
(former Celtic Jerry Sichting and former Celtics assistant Mike Longabardi are assistant coaches)
Game Notes The Celtics complete their 3 game western road trip with a visit to the Phoenix Suns. This is the second of two games between these two teams. The Suns won the first meeting 118-114 in Boston back in November. Both teams have undergone considerable roster changes since that game. Only 8 Suns players remain from the 15 that were on their opening night roster.
The Suns won the season series 2-0 last season and have won 3 straight against the Celtics overall. The Celtics are playing in back to back games, having lost in OT against the long time rival Lakers on Sunday night. The Suns are 16-11 at home and have lost their last 4 games. The Celtics are 8-18 on the road.
The Celtics and Suns will forever be linked by Game 5 of the 1976 Finals, which is one of the greatest games ever played. Boston won the triple overtime game 128-126 at the Boston Garden after Garfield Heard hit the "shot heard round the world" to send the game into the 3rd OT.
Key Matchups vs
Marcus Smart vs Eric Bledsoe
This will be a good test for the Celtics' rookie point guard. Bledsoe is averaging 17 points, 5.9 assists and 1.67 steals. Smart needs to play tough defense to keep him from getting the Suns into their offense quickly.
vs
Brandon Bass vs Markieff Morris
Morris has been playing well, averaging 15.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He is also shooting a league best 57.7% in the final 2 minutes of single possession games so if it's a close game, the Celtics need to play especially close attention to him.
Honorable MentionAvery Bradley vs Gerald Green
Former Celtic Gerald Green is averaging 12.5 points per game mostly off the bench for the Suns. This is just his 4th start for the season and he Has started
three times this season and he averaged 13.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in the previous 3 starts. He can catch on fire and have a big game if not closely guarded.
Keys to the Game
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have to start strong because they can't expect to dig themselves out of a hole on the second night of a back to back. They need to keep their focus from the opening tip to the final buzzer and continue to play hard. No let ups!
Run, Run, Run! - The Suns are a running team and are 2nd in the league in fast break points with 17.3. If the Celtics want to keep up with them, they are going to need to run as well in spite of being tired from playing the night before.
Defense - Defense is always a key to winning. The Celtics will need to play tough team defense if they want to slow down the fast paced Suns offense. The Celtics have got to get stops as they won't outscore the Suns in a shoot out. You can't win without defense.
Rebound - The Celtics need to rebound on the offensive end to give themselves extra possessions and to prevent the Suns from racking up fast break points. They also have to crash the boards on the defensive end to prevent the Suns from getting second chance points and to give themselves fast break opportunities.
X-Factors Revenge Factor and Fatigue The Suns have 3 former Celtics on their team and the Celtics have 2 former Suns on their team. Could this be the Wright/Thornton/Green revenge game or will it be the Isaiah Thomas and Shavlik Randolph revenge game? Fatigue may come into play down the stretch as the Celtics play in the second of back to back games on the road after a tough OT loss the night before.