
at
Boston Celtics (5-3, 1-1) at Philadelphia 76ers (5-3,1-1)
Wednesday, March 16
7:00 PM ET
Playoff Game #9 Road Game #4
TV: TNT
Radio: WEEI, 97.5 The Fanatic
Wells Fargo Center
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo..................................................SG Avery Bradley
C: Kevin Garnett
SF: Paul Pierce ................................. ............PF Brandon Bass Coach: Doc Rivers
Celtics ReservesMickael Pietrus
Greg Stiemsma
JaJuan Johnson
E'Twaun Moore
Marquis Daniels
Sasha Pavlovic
Ray Allen
Keyon Dooling
Ryan Hollins
Sean Williams
InjuredPaul Pierce (knee) probable
Avery Bradley (shoulder) probable
Ray Allen (ankle) probable
Greg Stiemsma (feet) probable
Mickael Pietrus (hamstring) probable

Probable Starters 
PG: Jrue Holiday ......................................................SG: Evan Turner

C: Spencer Hawes

SF: Andre Iguodala .................................................. PF: Elton Brand
Sixers BenchThaddeus Young
Sam Young
Nikola Vucevic
Lou Williams
Tony Battie
Craig Brackins
Lavoy Allen
Jodie Meeks
Craig Brackens
Injuries None
Key Matchups 
vs

Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala
Paul Pierce has struggled in the 2 games so far. Some of it may be Philly's defense, but most of it is the sprained MCL. For the first 2 games he shot just 25% from the field and an even worse 17% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need Pierce to step up and somehow find a way to be more efficient scoring or get to the line once again. Getting Pierce to be the Truth again is crucial to the Celtics winning this series.

vs

Rajon Rondo vs Jrue Holiday
In game 1, Rondo ended up with a triple double, but he did almost nothing before halftime. It was like he woke up at the half and then took over the game. He seemed to turn it on and off once again in game 2. The Celtics need Rondo to be aggressive from start to finish if they hope to win this game. Rondo must control the pace of the game and has to run the Celtics offense and get them going. He also has to do a better job on defense as he allowed his man to beat him several times down the stretch in game 2.
Honorable Mention Kevin Garnett vs Spencer Hawes
KG has been able to score around and over Hawes. He has been the Celtics only efficient scorer in the first 2 games. When KG goes to the bench, the Celtics have struggled to score and to rebound. If no one else steps up to help shoulder the load, they will need KG to continue his other-worldly play if they hope to win this game.
Key Off the Bench
Ray Allen
Ray was warming up some in game 2. He was 7-14 from the field, although just 2-6 from beyond the arc, which was pretty good considering how everyone else was shooting. We need to do more than use Ray as a decoy. He can hit shots and we desperately need scoring. Hopefully he improves even more in this game.

Ryan Hollins/Greg Stiemsma
The Celtics 2 headed back up center off the bench has got to be more productive, especially on the glass. Hollins went over 13 minutes without grabbing a rebound. Stiemsma wasn't much better with 1 rebound in 11 minutes. The Celtics need both of them to box out and crash the boards. The Celtics were out rebounded 47-36 and the Celtics have 2 seven footers who should be able to get more than 1 board between them.

Lou Williams
Williams is a shooter and as such, he's going to keep shooting. At times he will be crucial in helping the Sixers get a win and at other times he will shoot them out of the game. But, he is dangerous and the Celtics have to stay on him or he could have a big night.

LaVoy Allen
Alllen has been the most effective of the Sixers bigs in guarding KG. He's also a big body that can box out and grab rebounds. He had 10 points and 8 rebounds in game 2 and hit a huge shot to help them get the win. The Celtics need to keep him off the boards and find a way for KG to get open even with Allen on him.
Keys to the Game Defense - As always, defense is key to getting the win. The Celtics must play tough in your face defense from start to finish. They can't let themselves get caught up in a shoot out (especially when their shots aren't falling) and must concentrate on getting stops. The Celtics have allowed way too many easy baskets and tip ins so far in the series. They have to play better defense and not just in spurts.
Rebound - The Celtics were out-rebounded 47-36 in game 2. They have to crash the boards as a team. The team's bigs must go harder after rebounds. Rebounding is effort and desire. How else can you explain a 6'1" guard out rebounding all the bigs on the court? Every Celtic must have that desire and they have to put out the effort to win the battle of the boards. No rebounds - no win.
Run the Offense - The Celtics have been in a big offensive drought. Over the first two games they have struggled as a team to hit their shots. Many times they would either settle for a quick shot or they would settle for a desperation shot at the end of the shot clock. Other times they were missing wide open shots. The Celtics simply must hit their shots. They have to move the ball and run their offense to get the best shots possible. Unless they can somehow get their offense going, this is going to be a very tough series.
Effort and Focus - In the first two games it seemed as though the Celtics didn't get serious about playing until the final stretch. They made sloppy passes. Shot terribly. Didn't fight for rebounds and just generally looked sloppy and too laid back. The Celtics have to know that they can't just turn it on in games and pull out a win. They have to come in focused and put out a strong effort from start to finish. They also have to be focused on playing their game and not allow bad calls and no calls or rough play by the Sixers to get them sidetracked.
Be Aggressive- The Celtics have to be more aggressive in going after rebounds, going after loose balls, and driving to the basket, especially if their shots aren't falling once again. They also have to be more aggressive on defense. So far in the series, the Sixers have been more aggressive for much of the game and the Celtics just picked up their game at the end after getting down by 10 or more. The Celtics have to be aggressive from start to finish and go out and take this game because the Sixers definitely aren't going to give it to them.
Game Notes The series now moves to the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics have to pick up at least one game in Philly after giving up home court in the game 2 loss at home.
The Celtics have played very poorly so far in the first two games. They have struggled shooting. They have struggled on defense. They have gotten down by double digits in both games. They have seemed as though they were coasting though most of both games.
Injuries could be playing a part in both the shooting woes and in the lack of cohesion on many of the plays. Pierce is obviously not 100% and has been front rimming the majority of his shots. Bradley's shoulder has been painful and could be altering his shot as well as affecting his play. Pietrus has had hamstring problems. Ray's ankles have definitely been affecting his shot. For a player who has always been automatic from the line, he is shooting just 66% on his free throws in the playoffs so far.
Theories have ranged from guessing that the Celtics feel they can just flip the switch at any time to the fact that they are taking the Sixers for granted and feel they can beat them without 100% effort. Whatever the problem has been in the past, it has to be clear that the Celtics must give a better effort from the start and not just turn it on in the 4th quarter.
They have to be more focused, especially on the road. The Celtics are capable of winning in Philly and they are capable of playing much better than they have been so far in the series. The Sixers have been playing with great effort and the Celtics haven't matched it. With the stakes getting higher, it's time for the Celtics to up their effort and take control of the series. If they don't, they could find themselves in a 1-2 hole in the series.
X-FactorInjuries and Officiating
Injuries have been affecting the Celtics. Can Pierce overcome the knee injury to have his first good game of the series? Can Bradley be effective with the shoulder? Can Pietrus and Allen continue to hit their shots?
As we saw in game 2, officiating can rear its ugly head and affect the outcome of the game. Will the Celtics get calls in this one? Hopefully the Celtics can get to the free throw line more than 9 times in this one. And, if they play up to their capability, it won't come down to a call at the end in this one.