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Charlotte Bobcats (28-30) at Boston Celtics (37-21)
Wednesday, March 3
7:30 PM ET
Game #59, Home Game #28
TV CSN HD, FSCR, LP 752, 753
TD Garden [/img]
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 27.8
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 224Probable Starters PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins
ReservesRasheed Wallace
Marquis Daniels
Nate Robinson
Shelden Williams
Marcus Landry
Brian Scalabrine
Glen Davis
Tony Allen
InjuriesKendrick Perkins (flu) questionable
Coach: Larry Brown
Average Age: 26.2
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 223Probable Starters PG: Raymond Felton
SG: Stephen Jackson
SF: Gerald Wallace
PF: Boris Diaw
C: Theo Ratliff
ReservesGerald Henderson
Derrick Brown
DJ Augustin
Stephen Graham
Tyrus Thomas
Injuries Alexis Ajinca (thumb) out
DeSagana Diop (MCL) out
Tyson Chandler (ankle) day to day
Nazr Mohammed (back) day to day
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Raymond Felton
Rondo should be able to beat Felton off the dribble and if he is aggressive should be able to either get a shot inside or kick out to the open man. Rondo's level of aggressiveness in setting the pace for the Celtics will be key to this game.
vs
Paul Pierce vs Gerald Wallace
Gerald Wallace always plays well against the Celtics. Pierce will be playing in just his second game back from the thumb injury and his defense is going to be needed in this game every bit as much as his offense as Wallace can be a handful.
vs
Ray Allen vs Stephen Jackson
Stephen Jackson has been a good addition for the Bobcats and he has been playing well for them. Ray Allen will have his hands full in this game trying to guard Jackson and also trying to get his shot off against him.
TEAM CONNECTIONS:Nazr Mohammed and Rajon Rondo are former Kentucky Wildcats
DeSagana Diop, Stephen Jackson and Rajon Rondo attended Oak Hill
Academy
Raymond Felton and Rasheed Wallace are former North Carolina Tar Heels
Gerald Henderson and Shelden Williams are former Duke Blue
Devils
DeSagana Diop and Marquis Daniels were teammates in Dallas during the 2005-06 season
Stephen Jackson and Marquis Daniels were teammates in Indiana during the 2006-07 season
Tyrus Thomas and Glen Davis were teammates at Louisiana State
Theo Ratliff played for the Celtics during the 2006-07 season
Theo Ratliff and Rasheed Wallace were teammates in Detroit during the 2007-08 season
Game Notes Celtics won the season series 2-1 against Charlotte in 2008-09; The Celtics are 1-0 against the Bobcats during the 2009-10 season
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 26.3 points per game last season
Gerald Wallace averaged 22.0 points per game against the Celtics during the 08-09 campaign
The Celtics have never lost a season series against the Bobcats
The Celtics are leading the all-time series 14-5 with the Celtics 8-2 at home
The Bobcats are one of those young and athletic teams that always seem to give the Celtics problems. This is the 3rd and final meeting between these two teams. In their first meeting this season, the Celtics home opener, the Celtics beat the Bobcats 92-59. But, that was when the Celtics weren't bored and were playing wire to wire defense. We haven't seen that type of effort from this team in a long time. In their second game, the Celtics won in Charlotte 108-92.
The Celtics are 5-5 in their last 10 and are coming off a win in Detroit. They have struggled at home, though where they are just 16-11. The Bobcats are 4-6 in their last 10 and are 8-22 on the road.
The Celtics are in the 4th spot in the East, 1/2 game behind the Hawks, which isn't a good spot to be in. They need to at least move up to 3rd and preferably 2nd. But to do that they need to start playing better, especially at home. Charlotte on the other hand is 1/2 game out of the 8th spot in the East and are trying to pick up wins to move into that 8th spot.
Perk missed the Detroit game with the flu and is questionable for this one but Doc said that he expects him to play in this one. The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games and fatigue could be a problem, especially against a running team like the Bobcats.
Keys to the Game1. Defense, defense, defense
2. Start strong and play 48 minutes
3. Run the Offense - Make the extra pass and don't settle for quick shots
4. Rebound - Limit Bobcat 2nd chances and fast breaks