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Phoenix Suns (23-15) at Boston Celtics (33-9)
Monday, January 19
8:00 PM ET
Game #43, Home Game #23
TV: TNT
TD BankNorth Garden 63rd Season
First Game Played November 2, 1946
Probable Starting Lineup PG: Rajon Rondo PPG10.8 RPG 4.8 APG 7.8 FG% .501
SG: Ray Allen PPG 17.7 RPG 3.4 APG 2.7 FG .487
C: Brian Scalabrine PPG 3.0 RPG 1.2 APG 0.4 FG% .427
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 19.6 RPG 5.6 APG 3.7 FG% .442
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 16.2 RPG 9.2 APG 2.6 FG% .517
ReservesTony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
JR Giddens
Bill Walker
Injuries:Tony Allen (ankle) day to day
Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) day to day
JR Giddens (wrist) day to day
Eddie House (ankle) probable
40th Season
First Game Played October 18, 1968
Probable Starting Lineup PG: Steve Nash PPG 14.9 RPG 3.2 APG 8.8 FG% .485
SG: Jason Richardson PPG 17.4 RPG 4.6 APG 2.6 FG% .447
C: Shaquille O'Neal PPG 17.7 RPG 9.0 APG 1.7 FG% .587
SF: Grant Hill PPG 10.8 RPG 4.5 APG 1.9 FG% .510
PF: Amare Stoudamire PPG 21.6 RPG 8.4 APG 2.2 FG% .553
ReservesLeandro Barbosa
Louis Admunson
Robin Lopez
Matt Barnes
Alandro Tucker
Goran Dragic
Injuries None
Game Notes: I had originally put Perk back in the starting lineup because he keeps saying that he wants to play Monday. Every report from Doc says he won't. Now, Doc may be saying that to keep the Suns off guard, or he may be actually trying to be cautious with Perk even though Perk desperately wants to play. On the other side of it, Shaq has only been playing in one or the other of back to back games and played almost 25 minutes against the Raptors , so it is possible that matching up with Shaq may not even be a problem as he may or may not play against the Celtics. Either way, if he plays he will be playing in the second of back to back games and fatigue could be a factor. It's possible they played him against Toronto thinking that the Celtics would be without Perk. It is hard to tell who will or will not play in this matchup.
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Steve Nash
Rondo gets a chance to show what he can do against one of the premier PG's in the league and a 2 time MVP.
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Amare Stoudamire
This is a battle of two of the league's best power forwards. KG has had a rest and Amare will be playing in the second of back to back games and on the road.
Honorable Mention Ray Allen vs Jason Richardson
This will be a battle of the shooters. Both players are capable of putting up points in a hurry. Richardson may give Ray problems on defense with his quickness and Ray can give Richardson problems if he is hitting his shots the way he has been recently.
Keys to the GameDefense
Rebound
Focus
Play 48 minutes
X FactorThe Center MatchupA lot will depend on if both Perk and Shaq play in this one. The Celtics need Perk if Shaq is in the lineup. Since Shaq is playing against the Raptors, he may or may not play against the Celtics.