Magic (13-35) at Celtics (15-33) Game #49 2/2/14

[FLCeltsFan]

at
Orlando Magic (13-35) at Boston Celtics (15-33)
Sunday, February 2, 2014
1:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #49, Home Game #25
TV: CSNNE, FSFL, NBA-LP 752(DTV), 751/752(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sportshub, ESPN 580 AM
TD Garden


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jameer Nelson

Shooting Guard
vs
Avery Bradley vs Victor Oladipo

Small Forward
vs
Jeff Green vs Arron Afflalo

Power Forward
vs
Brandon Bass vs Glen Davis

Center
vs
Jared Sullinger vs Nikola Vucevic



Celtics Reserves
Jerryd Bayless
Phil Pressey
Kelly Olynyk
Joel Anthony
Chris Johnson
Kris Humphries

Injuries
Keith Bogans (personal) out
Gerald Wallace (personal) game time decision

Red Claws
Vitor Faverani
Vander Blue

Magic Reserves
Maurice Harkless
E'Twaun Moore
Andrew Nicholson
Kyle O'Quinn
Doron Lamb
Ronnie Price
Tobias Harris
Jason Maxiell

Injuries
None 

Game Notes
In a second straight tank battle, the Celtics host the Magic for their 4th and final meeting this season.  In an interesting twist, the bottom 4 teams are facing off in recent games.  The Celtics are coming off a loss to the 4th place Sixers.  The second place Magic are coming off a win over the last place Bucks. 

The Celtics will get a boost by the return of Avery Bradley, who missed the last 5 games with an ankle injury.  There has been good chemistry between Rondo and Bradley, although injuries have kept them from playing together an extended time this season.   Gerald Wallace is away from the team dealing with a personal issue but is expected back just before the game.  It isn't clear whether he will play or not. 

The Celtics have lost their last 4 games, including a last second 1 point loss to the Sixers, which leap frogged the Sixers from 3rd worst in the East to 4th worst.  The Magic had lost 3 in a row before their win over the Sixers on Friday.  The Celtics are 9-15 at home and 2-8 in their last 10 games while the Magic are 3-21 on the road and 3-7 in their last 10 games. 

The Celtics won 2 of the first 3 meetings between these two teams.  They won 91-89 in Orlando, and 120-105 in Boston before losing 93-91 in Orlando. 

Key Matchups
vs
Jeff Green vs Arron Afflalo
Afflalo has been the Magic's best player this season so far.  He is averaging 20 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.   He is coming off a 21 point, 5 rebound, 2 assist effort against the Bucks. In the last meeting between these two team, Afflalo posted 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead the Magic to a 2 point win.  Stopping Afflalo will be key to getting a win in this game. 

vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jameer Nelson
Rondo and Nelson have had many good battles in the past with each coming out on top at times.  Rondo missed the first 3 meetings and should look to get one more win over Nelson in this one. 

Honorable Mention
Brandon Bass vs Glen Davis
These two players were traded for each other with each franchise benefiting from the trade.  They will face off against each other in this game.  There may be some pride involved in who gets the best of this matchup. 

Keys to the Game
Rebound -  The Celtics were out rebounded by 6 rebounds in their first meeting, 1 rebound in their second meeting and by 3 rebounds in their last meeting.  It's about time for the Celtics to win the rebounding battle and if they do, that will give them a good chance to win the game. 

Limit Turnovers - The Celtics are 4th in the league in turnovers with 15.7 turnovers per game.  The Celtics tend to lose focus at times and turn the ball over a lot.  They have to find a way to limit their turnovers as they usually end in an easy score for the other team. 

Run, Run, Run - The Celtics have shown that when they run, they are capable of playing very well, and they need to run the ball up the court before the Magic's defenses can get set up. With Rondo and Avery together again and the young legs around them,  there is no excuse not to run in this game. 

Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have been able to build big leads and to stay with teams throughout games but tend to have moments when they just seem to stop playing the right way and allow teams to catch up and go ahead.  They have to find a way to end these lapses in focus and play for all 48 minutes. 

X-Factors
Pride and Need
The Celtics have lost their last 4 games and desperately need a victory for team morale.  The Magic are coming off a win over the Bucks and may not feel as much need for a win.   

[Eja117]

I hope to be there tomorrow with eja Jr. See ya there

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I get the feeling saying all Magic v. Celtics games on a Sunday are Martinees would not pass for a BOLD PREDICTION.  Here's somethings that might. Avery Bradley scores 30+ points to in with 10 rebounds, Kelly Olynyk makes more 3s tick Aaron Afflalo, and Gerald Wallace  puts someone on a poster.

[hwangjini_1]

thanks for the thread yet again. and a tp for you...yet again. 

green maybe the difference maker for the celtics. will good green show up? or will uncle snooze show up? we shall see.

gooooooo celtics!!!

[Redz]

Heading to the game today.  My older daughter's first game!

I'm not sure that I want to explain to her the importance of us losing this game  so I'm just gonna root root root for the home team.

GO C's!

[SHAQATTACK]

TP.....for thread. !......thanks 


I find it difficult to think even this team to lose this game .....but one never knows .

[Birdman]

Might win this one...

[BleedGreen1989]

Pretty evenly matched teams right now with Rondo recovering.

Sullinger/Vucevic battle in the paint should be a treat though.

[celtic -_- pride]

sully will score 20 with 17 rebounds 2 assists

[azzenfrost]

@celtics
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled center Vitor Faverani from the Maine Red Claws: http://on.nba.com/1ikXLzT

[SHAQATTACK]

With Rondo, Bradley back

We should win this by 30 points

[rondohondo]

With Rondo, Bradley back

We should win this by 30 points

Vucevic is back too, and Rondo is still gimpy ........

[SHAQATTACK]

With Rondo, Bradley back

We should win this by 30 points

Vucevic is back too, and Rondo is still gimpy ........

If Rondo is gimpy why in the world is he ready to play or should he even he playing .......everybody on the Lakers is sitting out for months .

[BballTim]

  It's great to play the Magic for Sully, he looks absolutely svelte standing next to Baby.

[SHAQATTACK]

Chris Johnson ..go off on Magic .......Green found hiding under the bleachers .