AT
Boston Celtics (3-1) at New Jersey Nets (2-0)
Preseason Game #5 – Road Game #3
IZOD Center
East Rutherford, NJ
Thursday, October 16, 2008
7:30 PM ET
TV: CSN, YES
Radio: WEEI
Probable Starters Rondo/R Allen/ Pierce/ Garnett/ Perkins
The Bench Tony Allen
Glen Davis
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Darius Miles
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Patrick O'Bryant
InjuriesNone
Harris/Carter/Hassell/Yi/Lopez
BenchBobby Simmons
Stromile Swift
Chris Douglas Roberts
Maurice Ager
Julius Hodge
Brian Hamilton
Eddie Gill
Ryan Anderson
Josh Boone
Keyon Dooling
Jarvis Hayes
Eduardo Najera
Sean Williams
Injuries
Jarvis Hayes (Hamstring) questionable
Eduardo Najera (wrist) out
The Nets swept their 2 game series with the Heat during NBA Europe Live. They played in Paris and then in London. The Nets completely remade their team with an eye toward the 2009-10 free agent class. Gone are Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson and only Vince Carter remains from their big 3 of last year.
It is hard to tell what starting lineup the Nets will use because in two preseason games they have used two different starting lineups. The only positions that seem set are the guard spots and everything else is up for grabs.
Players to watchCelticsGabe Pruitt - Gabe has been showing some good things so far in the preseason. If he continues to improve and shows he can contribute to the team, they may decide that they don't need Sam after all
Darius Miles Darius is still on the bubble and needs to show that he can play and that he will fit on this team. He has shown some good things, but also still looks very rusty.
Patrick O'Bryant O'Byrant looked very good in his starting role but seemed to struggle coming off the bench. He will need to find his role with the second unit to be effective on this team.
Tony Allen The team is counting on Tony to pick up a lot of the slack left by James Posey's departure. He has been somewhat inconsistent so far with a very good game and then one not so good. The Celtics need him to be consistent so that they know what they will get from him when he comes into the game.
Bill Walker Bill Williams sat out the last game with soreness in his knee, but was impressive in the first 3 games. He is definitely fun to watch and if he plays, it will be interesting to see if he continues his aggressive play.
Nets
Vince Carter Vince Carter is still their best player and will have to get used to playing with an entire new cast this season. It will be interesting to see how long he can be patient with the rebuilding project.
Brook Lopez Lopez got the start in the Nets' last game and had 8 points and 13 rebounds.
Yi Jianlian The Nets have two 7 footers up front and this could be a formidable front line if they can develop chemistry and develop an NBA game. Yi had 19 points and 4 rebounds in his last start.
It is always good to beat division rivals whether it is preseason or not.