AT
Boston Celtics (2-0) at Indiana Pacers (0-1)
Saturday, November 1
7:00 PM
Game #3, Away Game #1
TV: CSN HD, FSI, LP NBA 3
Radio: WEEI
Conseco Field House ProbableStarting Matchups PointGuard vs
Rajon Rondo vs TJ Ford
Shooting Guard vs
Ray Allen vs Marquis Daniels
Small Forward vs
Paul Pierce vs Danny Granger
Power Forward vs
Kevin Garnett vs Troy Murphy
Center vs
Kendrick Perkins vs Rasho Nesterovic
Off the Bench Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Injuries:None
Probable InactiveJR Giddens
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell
Off the BenchJarrett Jack
Brandon Rush
Jeff Foster
Roy Hibbert
Maceo Baston
Stephen Graham
Josh McRoberts
Jamaal Tinsley
Injuries Travis Diener (foot) out
Mike Dunleavy (knee) out
Probable Inactive Jamaal Tinsley
Mike Dunleavy
Travis Diener
Matchups to Watch vs
Danny Granger is one of the more exciting young players in the league. He looks poised to make another leap this season as he finished his first game with 33 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocked shots. Paul Pierce is on a mission to repeat and so this should be a good matchup. Celtics have to wonder what might have been if the Pacers had taken Gerald Green with the 17th pick and left Granger on the table for the Celtics with the 18th pick.
vs
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. This matchup should be fun to watch.
Game NotesThe Celtics have won the last 3 games between these two teams but have split the last 8 games. The Pacers have won 42 of 68 games in Indiana but the Celtics lead the series 74-68 overall.
Of the 15 players on their opening night roster, only 8 were on the team at the end of last season. Two of the most notable changes are the loss of Jermaine O'Neal and the addition of TJ Ford.
The Pacers were among the leaders in steals in the preseason with 8.5 per game and had 7 steals in their opener against the Pistons. The Celtics have to take good care of the ball or the Pacers will make them pay.
The Pacers are coached by former Celtics Coach Jim O'Brien who would love nothing better than to get the better of his former team. This is the Pacers' home opener and they want to reward their fans with a win. Expect the Pacers to put up a fight and the Celtics will need to match it.
X Factor Road Wariness
In the playoffs, the Celtics were dominant at home but for some reason struggled on the road. In the new season, the Celtics have to regain their concentration on the road and prove to teams they can win no matter where they play.