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Boston Celtics (11-9) at Los Angeles Clippers (17-6)
Friday, February 5, 2021
10:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #21, Road Game #13
TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FSW
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, AM570 LA Sports
Staples Center
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Kemba Walker vs Reggie Jackson
Shooting Guard 
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paul George
Small Forward 
vs
Jayson Tatum vs Kawhi Leonard
Power Forward 
vs
Daniel Theis vs Nicolas Batum
Center 
vs
Tristan Thompson vs Serge Ibaka
Celtics ReservesTremont Waters
Semi Ojeleye
Robert Williams III
Tacko Fall
Jeff Teague
Carsen Edwards
Aaron Nesmith
Grant Williams
Javonte Green
InjuriesMarcus Smart (calf) out
Romeo Langford (wrist) out
Payton Pritchard (knee) questionable
Jaylen Brown (knee) questionable
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Clippers Reserves Amir Coffey
Mfiondu Kabengele
Luke Kennard
Terance Mann
Marcus Morris, Sr
Daniel Oturu
Patrick Patterson
Ivica Zubac
Injuries Patrick Beverly (knee) out
Jay Scrubb (foot) out
Head Coach Tyronn Lue
Game Notes The Celtics continue their West coast swing through California with a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This is going to be a tough game as the Clippers have been playing very well. This is the 3rd game of a 5 game road trip for the Celtics and it is the first game at home for the Clippers following a 6 game Eastern road trip.
The Clippers won 6 straight at home before heading out on the road trip to face Eastern conference teams. They went 4-2 on the trip, losing to the Hawks and the Nets. The Celtics are 1-1 on their trip so far, winning against the Warriors and losing a very winnable game against the Kings.
The Clippers lead the NBA with 6 games shooting at least 50% from beyond the arc. They also lead the league with 42.3% shooting on 3 pointers. They are 12-0 when they make at least 16 threes in a game. They are 2nd with an offensive rating of 117.3 and They are tied for 4th, shooting 48.2% from the field. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are tied for the 4th highest scoring duo in the league.
The Celtics are 4th in the East, 4 games behind first place Philadelphia. They are 6-6 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 2-3 vs Western Conference teams. The Clippers are 2nd in the West, just percentage points behind the Utah Jazz. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and 8-2 at home. They are 6-2 vs Eastern Conference teams.
The Celtics should get Kemba Walker back in the starting lineup after he missed the last game for rest since it was back to back. Marcus Smart (calf) and Romeo Langford (wrist) are both still out. Payton Pritchard has moved to questionable for this game and the Celtics certainly could use him. Jaylen Brown hasn't missed a game so far this season, but is listed as questionable with left knee soreness.
For the Clippers, Patrick Beverly is expected to miss his 7th straight game due to knee soreness. Reggie Jackson should continue to start in his place. Jay Scrubb is also out as he rehabs from off season foot surgery.
Key Matchups vs
Jayson Tatum vs Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is averaging 26.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He is shooting 51% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. He is always a threat to score and is also a threat to get in the passing lanes and steal the ball. He is also a very good defender and will try to make things difficult on Jayson Tatum on the offensive end.
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paul George
Paul George is averaging 24.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. He is shooting 51% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc. I'm keeping Jaylen in the starting lineup, even though he is questionable because of wishful thinking. The Celtics really need him if they hope to win this game. If he can't play I'm going to guess that maybe Javonte Green would start in his place.
Honorable Mention Tristan Thompson vs Serge Ibaka
Ibaka is averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He is shooting 52% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. Thompson or Theis need to stay with him both inside and on the perimeter. The Celtics also have to watch out for him inside as he is a good rim protector.
Player to Watch Lou Williams
Williams is averaging 9.4 points off the bench for the Clippers this season. However, there is something about the Celtics that he just loves. In the 2 games last season against the Celtics, he had 27 and 38 points. The Celtics need someone to stay with him and shut him down if he goes off again in this game.
Keys to the Game Defense - If ever there is a need for the Celtics to play tough team defense, it is this one. The Clippers average 115 points per game and are one of the most efficient teams in the league shooting 48.2% from the field and lead the league with 42.3% as a team from beyond the arc. They have 4 starters shooting over 50% from the field and over 40% from three. The Celtics must play tough team defense if they have any hope to win this game.
Rebound - The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball. Much of rebounding is effort and desire and so the Celtics must put out the extra effort on the boards to give themselves extra possessions as well as to limit the Clippers fast break opportunities and second chance points.
Energy and Effort - The Celtics have to come out with energy and have to play harder than the Clippers. 100% effort from every Celtic will be needed to get a win in this one. They have to be the more aggressive team and be the team that wants it more. They have been getting their opponents best efforts and they simply must work harder to get a win.
Focus - The Celtics must stay focused for all 48 minutes. There seem to be stretches during most every game where the Celtics lose focus and turn the ball over and miss easy shots. They have to stay focused and not let up and allow the Clippers to get easy baskets from Celtics sloppiness. The Clippers average 19 points off turnovers and so they will make the Celtics pay if they lose focus.
X-FactorsRoad Fatigue - The Celtics are playing in the third game of a 5 game road trip and it is the 3rd game in 4 days with travel between. They have also been playing short handed and players have had to play a bit harder to make up for the missing players. Fatigue could become a factor for the Celtics but hopefully their depth will allow them to have enough in the tank to get the win.
Coaching - Tyronn Lue got his start in the coaching ranks on the Celtics when he was named the director of basketball development in 2013. He is now the head coach of the Clippers. Will he be more motivated to get a win over the team that gave him his start? Can Brad use strategy to help the Celtics get a win even though they are short handed and road weary?
Officiating - I know that I say this every game, but the officiating always can be an x-factor in every game. Every crew calls the game differently whether they call every little ticky tack foul or they let a lot of contact go and let the teams play. Some refs favor the home team and some not so much. The Celtics have got to adjust to the way the game is being called and not let the officiating take away from their focus.
Topic: Celtics (11-9) at Clippers (17-6) Game #21 2/5/21 (Read 53588 times)