Pistons (8-3) at Celtics (10-2) 11/20

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 

Detroit Pistons (8-3) at Boston Celtics (10-2)
Thursday, November 20
8:00 PM
Game #13, Home Game # 8
TV:  TNT 
TD Banknorth Garden


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
Rajon Rondo vs Allen Iverson

Shooting Guard
Ray Allen vs Richard Hamilton

Small Forward
Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince

Power Forward
Kevin Garnett vs Rasheed Wallace 

Center
Kendrick Perkins vs Kwame Brown




Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell

Injuries:
None

ProbableInactive
Sam Cassell
Bill Walker   


Reserves
Rodney Stuckey
Amir Johnson
Will Bynum
Walter Herrmann
Jason Maxiell
Arron Afflalo
Alex Acker
Walter Sharpe

Injuries
none

Probable Inactive
Walter Sharpe

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo   PPG 8.7 RPG 4.20 APG 7.0 EFF + 14.67
Allen Iverson   PPG 20.0 RPG 2.80 APG 6.5 EFF + 17.75
After the Celtics spoiled Iverson's home debut and held him to 10 points on 4-11 shooting, he will be looking to redeem himself against the champs.  Iverson isn't known for his defense and if Rondo is as aggressive as he was against the Knicks he should have a good game. 

  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Tayshaun Prince. 
Prince is long and at times has been able to dominate against Pierce.   Pierce on the other hand can use his strength against Prince.  Pierce was held to 7 points on 3-10 shooting in their last matchup while Prince was the Pistons' high scorer with 23.  Pierce will be looking to reverse that in this game. 

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Rasheed Wallace
KG will be chomping at the bit after sitting out his one game suspension.  This should be a physical matchup complete with  ton of trash talk. 

Keys to Game
Play the Whole Game - The Celtics have either been coming out slow or letting up during the game at some time.  They haven't put together a whole strong game yet. 

Take Care of the Ball  The Celtics have been turning the ball over way too much and a team like the Pistons will convert those turnovers into points.

Guard the Perimeter The Pistons, including their big men can hit from outside and the Celtics have to stretch the defense out to the perimeter or the Pistons will make them pay.

Take It to the Hoop   The Celtics are most effective when they take the ball to the basket.  They can't settle for jumpers. 

X-Factor
Back to Back - The Pistons are playing in the second of back to back games having beaten the Cavaliers the night before.  This is the second back to back set for the Pistons this season so far and they won both games in their first back to back set.   

[xChopsx]

A lot of goooood matchups tonite. Cannot wait for the game.

[ma11l]

Pistons are poised to play a much better game this time around against the Celts.  They have found their groove as a team with AI since the last meeting.

That being said, the regular season variables are on our side.  The Pistons played a tough game in Cleveland last night and had to travel to our house while we were resting. 

I expect KG to have a big game tonight.  A lot of his biggest scoring games last year came against Sheed, who he respects a lot, and these Pistons.  Coming off that bogus suspension I'm looking for him to go off.

[ACF]

Remember to TP FL for the thread!

[celticmaestro]

Remember to TP FL for the thread!

Always.

With regards to the game, despite it being the second of a back-to-back for Detroit, I expect this to be a tough game and them to come out swinging.

[Kwhit10]

This is the first game of the year I have tickets too!!! 

I'm really looking for a good match up now that the Pistons are playing a little better. KG should be a force tonight with his extra days rest!

[crownsy]

This is one of those games where im rooting strongly against a non-celtic binky heh.

Sorry Allen, i hope rondo smokes you tonight

[Chris]

I am so excited for this game tonight.  So far every game I have gone to, the Garden has been electric compared to regular season games last year, and I expect tonight to be more of the same.  I am not sure if AI makes Detroit much better, but he sure as hell makes them more interesting.

[Redz]

Remember to TP FL for the thread!

Only 7 more TPs for a Barry Bonds steroids-to-the-max like 2-to-1 Posts to TP ratio

[xmuscularghandix]

im looking for another KP$43 attack.

[fairweatherfan]

This game is key to start putting a little distance between ourselves and the pack in the East, and to continue beating up on our closest competitors.  Unfortunately, I'll be watching it Tivo-style (video games til 9 or so, then full game w/o commercials or non-Barkley parts of halftime) so I'll be sitting the game thread out, but I can't wait! 

I'm especially hoping to see Rondo chew up Iverson the way he's done in the past, but a W of any stripe is welcome. 

[xmuscularghandix]

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm pumped for this one.  Let's go, Celts!

[xmuscularghandix]

Rondo being aggressive, very nice.

[thecaptain34]

Violet Palmer? yay....