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Boston Celtics (34-18) at Portland Trailblazers (32-24)
Friday, February 19
10:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #53 – Road Game #29
TV: CSN-NE, CSN-POR, RTV, ESPN
Radio: WEEI, KXTG
Rose GardenUnlike most other teams in the NBA, the naming rights to the Trailblazers new home was not sold. The team decided to name the arena after Portland as it is known as the Rose City and used the word, garden, because the word was often used as part of old arenas’ names.
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins
ReservesRasheed Wallace
Glen Davis
Shelden Williams
Brian Scalabrine
Marquis Daniels
Nate Robinson
Marcus Landry
Injuries
Tony Allen (ankle) doubtful
Probable Starters
PG: Andre Miller
SG: Brandon Roy
SF: Martell Webster
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Juwan Howard
ReservesRudy Fernandez
Jerryd Bayless
Jeff Pendergraph
Dante Cunningham
Nicholas Batum
Patrick Mills
InjuriesNicholas Batum (shoulder) out
Greg Oden (knee) out
Joel Przybilla (knee) out
Brandon Roy (hamstring) probable
Team ConnectionsJoel Przybilla and Ray Allen were teammates in Milwaukee from 2000-03
Rasheed Wallace played for the Trail Blazers from 1996-2004
Juwan Howard played for Doc Rivers in Orlando during the 2003-04 season
Key Matchups 
vs
Ray Allen vs Brandon Roy
Brandon Roy has been battling a pulled hamstring. Reports are that he plans to play in this game but it is safe to say that he isn't 100%. Ray had a terrific game against the Lakers and hopefully he will continue with his hot shooting in this game and make Roy have to work on the defensive end.
vs
Kevin Garnett vs LaMarcus Aldridge
KG's first game back after his injury was against the Blazers in Boston. He still isn't 100% but has been slowly improving. Maybe this will be the game that he turns the corner.
Honorable MentionRajon Rondo vs Andre Miller
Rondo is the key to the Celtics on both ends of the court. As goes Rondo so go the Celtics. Miller is a good PG and Rondo needs to be aggressive on both ends of the court to help the Celtics get this win.
Game Notes: The C’s are currently leading the season series 1-0; The Celtics split the season series with the Blazers 1-1 during the 2008-09 season
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20.5 points per game last season
LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 16.5 points per game against the Celtics last season
The C’s are 9-2 against Portland since the 2004-05 season
The Celtics are leading the all-time series 57-39 with the Celtics 32-15 at home
The Celtics are going for their 3rd win in a row and are coming off an emotional one point win over the Lakers. The starters had their best game in a long time against the Lakers and they finally found their defensive focus as well. The Celtics may be missing a couple of key players off the bench in that Eddie is gone and Nate may not make it in time to play in this game and Tony Allen injuried his ankle in the Lakers game and is doubtful. Hopefully the starters won't go back to their sleep walking mentality and will come out strong in this game as they did against the Lakers.
The Blazers have done amazingly well with all the injuries they have had this season. At one point they were playing with 7 and 8 players. Their top 2 centers have been out most of the season and for that reason they just picked up Marcus Camby for the stretch run. this is a dangerous team in the say way that a wounded animal is dangerous. They are playing wounded but are playing hard and with heart.
Roy is struggling with a hamstring injury and even though he played in the Blazers last game against the Clippers on Tuesday, he was forced to sit out the second half with tightness in the hamstring. He plans to play in this one, but it's safe to say that he won't be 100%. Camby will probably be available for this game, but will still be learning the plays and so the Celtics will have an advantage inside. Perk had a great game against the Lakers and hopefully he will continue his strong play in this one.
The Celtics can't rest on their accomplishments in winning the first two games on this trip and in beating the Fakers. They have to focus on each game at hand and especially concentrate on the defensive end. They are entering the stretch run of the season and if they hope to make any noise in the playoffs, they must get it together in these last 29 games. They have to make each one count.
Keys to the Game Play 48 Minutes The Celtics lead the league in games lost after leading by 10 or more. The third quarter used to be their time to put other teams away but recently, the Celtics have been the team getting put away in the third quarter. They must maintain their focus in the second half of games. They were able to hang on and pull out tough games in their last 2 games and they need to build on that.
Defense The Celtics beat the Lakers with a solid defensive effort. Defense wins games and championships. They have to remember that and continue to put a premium on team defense.
Rebound The Celtics have become one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. Part of this could be due to KG's inability to battle in the paint since returning from his injury and Rasheed's lack of desire to battle in the paint. They have to grab the rebounds to prevent fast breaks and second chance points.
Focus Many of the Celtics problems are the result of a lack of focus. They seem to be improving in this area in the past 2 games but they still have a way to go to get back to the focused team that can win a championship. There are still too many lapses on both ends of the court.
X-FactorPlayers Coming and Going Both teams have new players who may or may not play in this game. They are also missing key players who have been traded. How effective these new players are if they play and how the teams can make up for their missing teammates will be the x factor in this one.
Topic: Celtics (34-18) at Trailblazers (32-24) 2/19 (Read 70603 times)