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Denver Nuggets (19-30) at Boston Celtics (17-30)
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #48 Home Game #25
TV: CSNNE, Altitude, NBA-LP 755(DTV), 753(Xfinity)
Radio: WZLX, 104.3 FM
TD Garden
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Marcus Smart vs Ty Lawson
Shooting Guard 
vs
Avery Bradley vs Arron Afflalo
Small Forward 
vs
Evan Turner vs Wilson Chandler
Power Forward 
vs
Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried
Center
vs
Jared Sullinger vs Jusuf Nurkic
Celtics ReservesPhil Pressey
Tyler Zeller
Gerald Wallace
Marcus Smart
Marcus Thornton
Tayshaun Prince
James Young
Andre Dawkins
InjuriesKelly Olynyk (ankle) out
Shavlik Randolph (hamstring) out
Evan Turner (thumb) probable
Avery Bradley (thumb) probable
Tayshaun Prince (hip) day to day
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Nuggets ReservesDarrell Arthur
Randy Foye
Alonzo Gee
Erick Green
Gary Harris
JJ Hickson
Jameer Nelson
Danilo Gallinari
Injuries Javale McGee (illness) questionable
CoachBrian Shaw
Game NotesThe Celtics come back home after a win over the Knicks looking to build on that win as they host the Denver Nuggets. Both teams are playing in back to back games and both teams had to travel overnight.
This is the second and final meeting between these two teams. The Celtics won the first game 100-99 when former Celtic Jameer Nelson missed the potential game winner at the buzzer. Ty Lawson missed that game because of a DUI the night before and so the Celtics can expect a slightly tougher time with them in this game.
The Celtics are 4-4 in the second of back to back games this season. They are 1-0 in the second game of a Road-Home back to back set. The Nuggets are 2-9 in the second game of back to back sets this season.
Brad Stevens shook up the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Knicks by moving Marcus Smart in to the starting point guard spot and shifting Evan Turner to small forward. That lineup seemed to be successful as the Celtics led the Knicks wire to wire in their 108-97 win and so I would expect the same lineup to start in this one. Denver, on the other hand, lost to the tanking Sixers 105-98.
Tayshaun Prince missed his second game in a row on Tuesday and remains day to day for this game. Evan Turner and Avery Bradley continue to play through hand injuries. Kelly Olynyk and Shavlik Randolph are both out. For the Knicks, JaVale McGee is questionable with an illness.
Key Matchups vs
Marcus Smart vs Ty Lawson
Lawson is averaging 16.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 9.9 assists and slowing him down will be key to keeping the Nuggets from getting into their offense quickly. This will be a matchup between two tough and physical guards and should be fun to watch.
vs
Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried
Faried has a motor that doesn't quit. He reminds me of Jae Crowder in some ways. He is averaging 11.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He had 11 points and 14 rebounds in the first game between these two teams. The Celtics especially need to keep him off the boards.
Keys to the GameDefense - Defense is the key to winning every game. Against the Nuggets, transition defense is especially important because the Nuggets will run them out of the building if they don't find a way to get stops.
Go to the Hoop- The Celtics need to get the ball inside and not settle for outside shots, especially if they aren't falling. Against the Knicks, they went inside more than they have been in recent games and it worked out very well for them. When they get into the paint, good things happen and playing in back to back games, their legs may not be there for a lot of long jumpers.
Run! - Even though both teams are playing in back to back games, we know that the Nuggets will run and the Celtics also need to run to keep pace with them. The Celtics are much better when they push the ball and run and get easy shots before the defense can set up.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have struggled with playing for the entire 48 minutes in many games this season. They did a good job of this against New York and they led wire to wire in that win. They have to come out strong and avoid the lapses in the middle where they turn the ball over and miss their shots. And then, they have to close the game out strong.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be the more aggressive team. They have to fight for loose balls, defend aggressively, be aggressive in driving to the basket, and just play harder than the Nuggets for the entire game.
X-Factors Home Game and Fatigue The Celtics are once again home and even though they lost their last two games at home, they should get a boost from the home crowd. With both teams playing in back to back games and having to travel, fatigue could become a factor for one or both teams.
Topic: Nuggets (19-30) at Celtics (17-30) Game #48 2/4/15 (Read 52819 times)