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Toronto Raptors (16-17) at Boston Celtics (23-8)
Saturday, January 2
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #32, Home Game #15
TV: CSN HD, TSN 2, LP 758
Radio WEEI, CJCL
TD Banknorth Garden Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 27.9
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 224 Probable Starters Rondo/ R Allen/ T Allen/ Wallace / Perkins
ReservesBill Walker
Eddie House
Shelden Williams
Lester Hudson
JR Giddens
Brian Scalabrine
InjuriesGlen Davis (ankle) questionable
Paul Pierce (knee) out
Kevin Garnett (knee) questionable
Marquis Daniels (thumb) out
Rajon Rondo (hamstring) probable
Coach: Jay Triano
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 226
Probable Starters Jack/ DeRozan/ Turkoglu/Bosh/ Bargnani
Reserves Sonny Weems
Amir Johnson
Rasho Nesterovic
Marcus Banks
Marco Bellinelli
Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Patrick O'Bryant
Antoine Wright
InjuriesReggie Evans (foot) out
Jose Calderon (hip) out
Hedo Turkoglu (knee) probable
Team ConnectionsAmir Johnson and Rasheed Wallace were teammates in Detroit from 2006-09
Marcus Banks was drafted by and played for the Celtics from 2003-06
DeMar DeRozan and Brian Scalabrine are former USC Trojans
Reggie Evans and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle from 2003-06
Rasho Nesterovic, Jarrett Jack and Marquis Daniels were teammates in Indiana during the 2008-09 season
Nesterovic and Kevin Garnett were teammates in Minnesota from
1998-2003
Patrick O’Bryant played forthe Celtics during the 2008-09 season
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jarrett Jack
Rondo struggled through the Phoenix game with a sore hamstring. He is probable for this game unless Doc decides to hold him out until he can get the whole team back healthy, which wouldn't be a bad idea. Jack has been playing well in place of the injured Calderon.
vs
Rasheed Wallace vs Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh has been playing very well in recent games. In the past, he has played timidly against KG, but Sheed probably won't have the same effect on him. Bosh leads all forwards with 24 double doubles and needs nust 39 points to tie Vince Carter as the team's all time leading scorer. This will be a tough matchup for the Celtics and Sheed has got to play inside if he is going to counteract Bosh's play.
Honorable MentionTony Allen vs Hedo Turkoglu
Turkoglu is usually matched up with Pierce and gives him all he can handle. However, Turkoglu left Wednesday's game with a knee contusion and may or may not play in this game. It would be much better for the Celtics if he would sit out and rest in this one. If he plays, Tony needs to be "good Tony" since Turkoglu seems to save his best games for the Celtics.
Game Notes • The Suns are currently leading the season series 1-0; Celtics won the season series 2-0 against the Suns in 2008-09
• Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 27.5 points per game last season
• Steve Nash averaged 15.5 points per game in the two match-ups
• It marked the first time since the 2000-01 season that the Celtics had swept the season series.
• The Celtics are leading the all-time series 61-48 with the Celtics 35-18 at home
The Celtics will once again be missing several key players. KG, Pierce, Big Baby and Daniels are all expected to miss this game. Rondo may or may not play due to the sore hamstring. The Raptors will be missing Calderon and possibly Turkoglu.
The Raptors have won 5 games in a row and would love to keep their streak going. The Celtics have lost 3 in a row and would very much love to stop their streak at 3.
Winning this game isn't as important as making sure that the team is healthy for the stretch run and the playoffs so hopefully Doc will keep the players who need to rest their injuries out until they are 100 %. This game is winnable for the Celtics even with the injuries if the others step up their games.
Keys to The Game Defense, Defense, Defense The Celtics must find their defense again. They have been allowing way too many open shots and easy baskets recently. They need to get back to what has made them such a tough team. Against the Raptors, they especially need to tighten up their perimeter defense as they are a very good 3 point shooting team.
Rebound The Celtics have to crash the boards on both ends. Defensive rebounds prevent second chance opportunities for the Raptors and Offensive rebounds given them extra shots along with preventing the fast break for the Raptors. Rebounding is mostly effort and desire and the Celtics need to be showing both of those things. Sheed needs to play inside more and forget about the 3 point line.
Take it To the Hoop The Celtics need to take the ball into the paint and either get the score or draw the foul. Quick 3's are not good offense, especially the way they haven't been falling for them recently. They need to run the offense and move the ball and make the extra pass.
X-FactorInjuries Both teams have key injuries and the play benches will be key to determining which team gets the win.