Celtics (14-11) at Pistons (14-12) Game #26 12/16/15

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (14-11) at Detroit Pistons (14-12)
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #26, Road Game #13
TV: CSNNE, FS Detroit, NBA-LP 754(xfinity), 756(DTV)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 105.1 FM
Palace of Auburn Hills



Probable Starters

PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Jae Crowder
PF: Amir Johnson
C: Jared Sullinger

Celtics Reserves
Evan Turner
Jonas Jerebko
Terry Rozier
James Young
Kelly Olynyk
Jordan Mickey
Tyler Zeller
David Lee
RJ Hunter

Injuries
Marcus Smart (leg) out

Head Coach
Brad Stevens




Probable Starters

PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Ersan Ilyasova
C:  Andre Drummond

Pistons Reserves
Joel Anthony
Aron Baynes
Steve Blake
Reggie Bullock
Spencer Dinwiddie
Darrun Hilliard
Stanley Johnson
Anthony Tolliver

Injuries
Jodie Meeks (foot)  out
Brandon Jennings (Achilles)  out 

Head Coach
Stan Van Gundy 

Game Notes
The Celtics travel to take on the Detroit Pistions for the first of 4 meetings this season. They will meed on 1/6 and 2/3 in Boston and one more time on 12/26 in Detroit.   The Celtics lost a tough and physical game against the Cavs on Tuesday night and had to travel after the game.  The Pistons last played on Monday when they lost by 2 at home to the Clippers.  The Celtics are 7-5 on the road, while the Pistons are 9-4 at home. 

To say that the Celtics play well in back to back games on the road is an understatement.  Teams win back to back on the road approximately 35% of the time.  The Celtics have won their last 10 back to back games on the road, with their last back to back loss on the road coming on February 7 at Milwaukee.  Over the streak, they have beaten Phoenix, Miami (twice), Indiana, Brooklyn, Toronto, Milwaukee, Houston, and Charlotte (twice).  The last win was an improbable victory over the Hornets the night after they played a double OT game against the Warriors. 

RJ Hunter returned at the end of the game against the Cavs and the Celtics will still be missing Marcus Smart.  For the Pistons, Jodie Meeks is out with a foot injury and Brandon Jennings is out with an Achilles injury.   Both teams lost their last game and are looking to get back on track with a win in this one.   In spite of being just one loss apart,  the Celtics are 7th in the East while the Pistons are 9th. 

Key Matchups
vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Reggie Jackson
Jackson is very quick and is always a threat to drive to the basket.  He is averaging 20.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.2 steals.  It will be up to the combo of Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley to slow him down on the offensive end. 

vs
Jared Sullinger vs Andre Drummond
Drummond is a beast in the paint on both ends of the court and is averaging 17.7 points, 16.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.   Last season in the 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 22.3 point and 16.7 rebounds.  Jared will definitely have his hands full trying to slow him down and to rebound against him. 

Keys to the Game
Run, Run, Run - The Celtics have proved that when they run and move the ball up the court quickly, good things happen.  When they over dribble and slow the game down, they struggle all the way around. They need to push the ball on every opportunity but also play under control. 

Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to be aggressive in going for loose balls, rebounding and defending. They also have to be aggressive in going to the basket and not settle for jumpers. Good things happen when they get inside. They have to be hungry and play like the team that wants it more.  They have to play aggressively for 48 minutes. 

Rebound - Rebounding takes effort and desire.  The Celtics will need both in order to beat the big front line of the Pistons to the rebounds.  The Pistons are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 47.6 per game. The Celtics will have to work extra hard to beat them to the boards.

Defense- The Celtics need to play tough team defense, especially in the paint. It doesn't matter how much they score if they can't stop the other team from scoring more.  They must play defense and get stops especially at the end of the game. No let ups!

Play as a Team - The Celtics have to play as a team and move the ball to find the open man.  They have to defend as a team and rebound as a team.  Hero ball rarely wins games and so they need to have each other's backs and play together. 

X-Factors
Back to Back on the Road - As stated above, the Celtics have an incredible streak of 10 back to back wins on the road.  It has become a point of pride with them and should give them motivation to do whatever it takes to get a win in this game.

Fatigue - In spite of the streak and the motivation,  the Celtics played the night before and fatigue may catch up to them.  Hopefully their depth will give them the extra boost to get a win.

Officiating -  Officiating is always an X-Factor.  Every crew calls the game a little differently.  Some let them play and some call every little touch foul.  The Celtics definitely do better when the refs let them play.  Hopefully the refs will call the game fairly and let them play in this one. 

[tarheelsxxiii]

first! i thought it would never happen... first in a game thread. but with persistence, avoidance of other responsibilities, and significant carpal tunnel... anything in possibleeee!!

[csfansince60s]

TP FLCelts.....another quick turnaround for both you and our Cs. No rest for the weary.

We're on an incredible streak with these second nights of back to backs. Let's keep it going.

Go Cs!

[Rondo9]

Just bounce back, put this game behind.

[trickybilly]

Big Day tomorrow with all our draft picks in action, and hopefully the Pels get the W against slumping Utah.

[FLCeltsFan]

TP tarheelsxxiii for being first in the game thread!   And thanks for the smile!!! 

Go Celtics!!!!!! 

[Vox_Populi]

Their bench is butt. Dead least, yeah, behind even Philly, in net rating at -12.7 per 100 possessions. So while Jackson and Drummond are sure to cause problems, I hope the Turner, Lee, Olynyk and the rest can have strong games.

[danglertx]

first! i thought it would never happen... first in a game thread. but with persistence, avoidance of other responsibilities, and significant carpal tunnel... anything in possibleeee!!

I know it seems silly, but I got it once and I really felt like I won something.  I guess I got a TP out of it, so I did.

[tarheelsxxiii]

TP tarheelsxxiii for being first in the game thread!   And thanks for the smile!!! 

Go Celtics!!!!!!

Ty ty. And a TP to you for another great game thread.

[tarheelsxxiii]

first! i thought it would never happen... first in a game thread. but with persistence, avoidance of other responsibilities, and significant carpal tunnel... anything in possibleeee!!

I know it seems silly, but I got it once and I really felt like I won something.  I guess I got a TP out of it, so I did.

Joking aside, I got a rush out of it. Not sure if it means I need to get out more, or...  but it was good fun

[jpotter33]

Playing pretty good so far.

[trickybilly]

I said it before and I'll say it again. Reggie is GOAT in terms of facial sweating.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I'm surprised that we look this good so far.  I thought they'd be gassed out the gate after the Warriors and Cavs games.  I guess that's why they're professional athletes, though

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Why so quiet? Guys giving up on the Cs already? Pfft.

[celticsclay]

How is drummond such a non factor so far? It seems like he would be a horrible matchup for us