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Philadelphia 76ers (12-15) at Boston Celtics (26-2)
Tuesday, December 23
7:30 PM ET
Game #29, Home Game #18
TV: CSNHD, WPSG, NBA LP 755
Radio: WEEI, WPHT
TD Banknorth Garden Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222Probable Starters Rajon Rondo PPG 11.3 RPG 5.00 APG 7.5 EFF + 19.04
Ray Allen PPG 18.8 RPG 3.50 APG 2.6 EFF + 17.14
Paul Pierce PPG 18.5 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 17.79
Kevin Garnett PPG 16.3 RPG 9.10 APG 2.8 EFF + 22.19
Kendrick Perkins PPG 9.1 RPG 8.50 APG 1.3 EFF + 14.79
Reserves Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
Injuries:Big Baby Davis (car accident) out
Probable InactiveBig Baby Davis
D-LeagueJR Giddens
Bill Walker
Coach: Tony DiLeo
Average Age: 26.8
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 224 Probable Starters Andre Miller PPG 15.1 RPG 3.90 APG 6.1 EFF + 16.89
Willie Green PPG 7.9 RPG 1.90 APG 2.0 EFF + 7.19
Andre Iguodala PPG 15.0 RPG 6.70 APG 5.1 EFF + 17.30
Thaddeus Young PPG 13.1 RPG 4.80 APG 1.1 EFF + 11.93
Samuel Dalembert PPG 6.0 RPG 8.30 APG 0.2 EFF + 11.59
The BenchReggie Evans
Royal Ivey
Donyell Marshall
Theo Ratliff
Kareem Rush
Marreese Speights
Louis Williams
InjuredJason Smith (knee) out
Elton Brand (shoulder) out
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo PPG 11.3 RPG 5.00 APG 7.5
Andre Miller PPG 15.1 RPG 3.90 APG 6.1
Rajon Rondo has been out playing every point guard he has faced lately. He faces another veteran PG tonight who is one of the more underrated PG's in the league. Hopefully Rondo will continue his All Star level play in this game.
vs
Paul Pierce PPG 18.5 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8
Andre Iguodala PPG 15.0 RPG 6.70 APG 5.1
In the last game between these two teams, Iguodala was playing shooting guard but now he is back at his normal position. The matchup between Pierce and Iguodala has always been a good one.
Honorable Mention Kendrick Perkins vs Samuel Dalembert
This should be a battle inside. Perk has played well against Dalembert in the past and has been playing very well on both ends of the court lately and should be able to get the best of this matchup.
Game Notes: The Celtics won the season series last year 3-1 and won the first meeting between these two teams 102-78 on November 28 of this season. They seem to be playing better since Elton Brand went out with the injury.
The Sixers fired head coach Mo Cheeks on 12/13 and are 3-1 since that time. They lost their last game 95-94 to the Pacers. Under their new coach, they have been averaging 102 points on 49% shooting while holding opponents to 93 points on 44% shooting.
This is a historical game for the Celtics. With their 18th consecutive win they tied the best start ever for an NBA team that is currently held by the the '69-70 Knicks and the '66-67 76ers. A win in this game would give them the sole possession of the record for best start. Both of those teams incidentally went on to win the title. Also, the 18 game winning streak ties the record for the longest winning streak in franchise history and they could break that record with a win here.
Connections:Donyell Marshall and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach for the Sixers from '94-96
Elton Brand and Eddie House were teammates on the Clippers
Reggie Evans and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle.
X-FactorThe Streak and THE Game
If the Celtics just play their game and don't worry about their win streak or setting records they will win this game. But, if they start over thinking and start playing for the streak they may stumble in this one. Also, they need to focus on this game and not overlook them while looking ahead to the matchup with the Lakers.