Celtics (50-16) at Bucks (30-38) 3/15

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (50-16) at Milwaukee Bucks (30-38)
Sunday, March 15
1:00 PM ET
 Game #67, Road Game #34
TV:  CSN HD, FSN Wisc, NBA LP 754
Bradley Center



Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.6
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222

Probable Starters

PG:  Rajon Rondo  PPG 11.6 RPG 5.30 APG 8.4 EFF + 19.13
SG:  Ray Allen   PPG 18.5 RPG 3.50 APG 2.8 EFF + 17.34
SF:  Paul Pierce   PPG 20.3 RPG 5.60 APG 3.8 EFF + 19.25
PF: Leon Powe  PPG 7.3 RPG 4.70 APG 0.6 EFF + 8.89 
C:    Kendrick Perkins    PPG 8.2 RPG 8.10 APG 1.2 EFF + 14.00 


Reserves
Mikki Moore
Stephon Marbury
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
 
Injuries:
Tony Allen (thumb) out
Kevin Garnett (knee)  out
Brian Scalabrine (head) out
Glen Davis  (ankle)  out 




Coach: Scott Skiles
Average Age: 27.5
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 220

Probable Starters

PG:  Ramon Sessions   PPG 12.4 RPG 3.30 APG 5.1 EFF + 13.80 
SG: Luc  Mbah a Moute   PPG 7.2 RPG 6.00 APG 0.9 EFF + 10.91
SF:   Richard Jefferson   PPG 18.8 RPG 4.60 APG 2.3 EFF + 15.18
PF:  Charlie Villanueva    PPG 16.7 RPG 6.90 APG 1.9 EFF + 16.97 
C;    Francisco Elson  PPG 3.4 RPG 3.70 APG 0.6 EFF + 6.40

Reserves
Malik Allen
Dan Gadzuric
Joe Alexander
Damon Jones
Charlie Bell
Keith Bogans
Luke Ridnour

Injuries
Michael Redd (ACL/MCL) out
Andrew Bogut (back) out 


Key Matchups
vs
Paul Pierce and Richard Jefferson have had many battles over the years when RJ was in New Jersey.  Jefferson has been playing well in Milwaukee and this should be a good matchup to watch.   

vs 
Leon Powe has been playing very well in his role as a starter and is coming off a career game against the Grizzlies.  He gives up several inches to Villanueva but Leon's heart makes up for his lack of height.  He has been outplaying taller players all along.  He will need to continue his strong play in this one as well. 

Honorable Mention
Rajon Rondo vs Ramon Sessions
It has been pointed out many times since he went down with the ankle injury that Rondo may very well be the MVP of this team.  With Rondo back in the lineup for the last game, they looked like a completely different team.  Rondo makes the Celtics go and should be able to have his way against Sessions.   

Connections
Ray Allen and Charlie Villanueva are former UConn Huskies
Bucks' assistant Coach Joe Wolf played for the Celtics 92-93
Richard Jefferson and Brian Scalabrine were teammates in NJ 01-05
Ray Allen played for the Bucks from 1996-2002
Bucks trainer Marc Boff was an assistant trainer for the Celtics for 8 years
Celtics' assistant coach Armond Hill played for the Bucks 82-83

Game Notes
The Celtics lead the all time series between these two clubs 89-88.  This is the third meeting this year with the Celtics winning both games in November, one in Boston and one in Milwaukee. 

The Bucks are currently in the 8th spot in the East only 1/2 game ahead of Chicago.  Even though they have a losing record overall at 30-38, they have a winning record at home at 19-13.  They are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. 

X-Factor
Focus and Desire
The Celtics have Rondo back and healthy and we saw sparks of Marbury and Moore starting to get it in the Memphis game.  However, they came out sluggish and didn't pull it together until the second half.  The Celtics need to come out with some sense of urgency and prove they want the game more.   This is a very winnable game if they keep their focus and want it more. 

[Cman]

A TP for you good sir lady!  Thank you for reliably putting up the Game Thread.

[4THQTR]

TP again!
This will be interesting, cause even though the bucks aren't elite, they're significantly better than the grizzlies...
Hopefully Powe, Moore and Marbury play confident and aggressive.

[ACF]

TP.

[ManUp]

Looks like Eddie might not play.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/57908/20090314/celtics_house_could_miss_sundays_game/

[ManUp]

Looks like Eddie might not play.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/57908/20090314/celtics_house_could_miss_sundays_game/

If so whole lot of Marbury, Some Pruitt at the 2 and maybe JR?

who am I fooling Doc is still coaching.

 40 minutes for everbody!

[silvershamrocker]

Looks like Eddie might not play.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/57908/20090314/celtics_house_could_miss_sundays_game/

Steph will get a lot more minutes, then. Maybe Pruitt. I'm just glad Eddie's not injured, but I hope his family is okay.

[Thruthelookingglass]

TP again!
This will be interesting, cause even though the bucks aren't elite, they're significantly better than the grizzlies...
Hopefully Powe, Moore and Marbury play confident and aggressive.

Our starters appear to match up pretty well against the Bucks.  The key will be whether our new guys can build on the positives from the Grizzlies game. 

I hope that is the case.  If they can, then we can begin to believe they are actually developing, otherwise the bright side of the Grizz game is only that we were playing the Grizz.

[BUTerrier]

Just have to say this to a group that would appreciate it:

I have tickets 6 rows off of the court, behind the Celts bench today. I can't begin to express how excited I am about this 

[celticinorlando]

got a twitter on my facebook from celtics.com saying eddie was on the flight and available

[Drucci]

Just have to say this to a group that would appreciate it:

I have tickets 6 rows off of the court, behind the Celts bench today. I can't begin to express how excited I am about this 

Well, I hope you'll enjoy the game and bring back some nice photos of the Celtics since you'll be close to them!

TP for the preview, as usual. This game should result in a win for Boston but the Bucks can be though and the Sunday games are not good for our favourite team. I hope Eddie House's family is okay.

It would be nice to clinch the Atlantic Division Title today. Go C's!

[Cman]

I think this will be a tougher game than people realize.  The Bucks have been struggling recently, but this is the type of game that the Bucks will get up for - a way for them to try to break out of their rut.

[FLCeltsFan]

  

Just have to say this to a group that would appreciate it:

I have tickets 6 rows off of the court, behind the Celts bench today. I can't begin to express how excited I am about this 

Have fun!  I am looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back!   

[angryguy77]

I am not going to see this game to help our team win. Everytime I go to see Boston play at the Bradly Center it never turns out good. So I am staying home and here is to a win.

[xmuscularghandix]

i like that first little play they ran.