Post by FLCeltsFan on Nov 19, 2019 22:16:28 GMT -5
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Boston Celtics (11-2) at Los Angeles Clippers (9-5)
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
10:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game [HASH]14, Road Game [HASH]9
TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FSPT
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, AM570 LA Sports
Staples Center
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Kemba Walker vs Patrick Beverly
Shooting Guard
vs
Marcus Smart vs Terance Mann
Small Forward
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paul George
Power Forward
vs
Jayson Tatum vs Maurice Harkless
Center
vs
Daniel Theis vs Ivica Zubac
Celtics Reserves
Carsen Edwards
Javonte Green
Semi Ojeleye
Vincent Poirier
Brad Wanamaker
Grant Williams
Enes Kanter
Robert Williams III
Injuries/NWT
Gordon Hayward (hand) out
Romeo Langford (G-League/ankle) out
Marcus Smart (hip/ankle/fingers) game time decision
Two Way Players
Tremont Waters
Tacko Fall
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Clippers Reserves
JaMychal Green
Montrezl Harrell
Mfiondu Kabengele
Rodney McGruder
Patrick Patterson
Jerome Robinson
Derrick Walton, Jr
Lou Williams
Injuries/NWT
Landry Shamet (ankle) out
Kawhi Leonard (knee) questionable
Two-Way Players
Amir Coffey
Jonathan Motley
Game Notes
The Celtics take on Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers in the 4th game of their Western road trip. They will meet again in Boston on February 13. The Celtics are 4-1 vs the West while the Clippers are 3-1 vs the East. The Celtics are 6-2 on the road and 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Clippers are 8-1 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games.
The Celtics are looking for their 2nd straight win while the Clippers have won their last two and are looking for their third straight win. The Clippers are playing the third game of a 5 game home stand. The Celtics lead the series all time 88-42 and they lead the series 43-25 all time in Los Angeles.
The Clippers are one of the teams favored to win the championship this season. One of the reasons that they are favored is the pairing of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two of the best two way players in the league. The reason that they are off to a rather slow start is the fact that Leonard and George haven't played together yet.
Paul George missed the first eleven games as he completed his rehab from off season shoulder surgery. Kawhi Leonard started with load management the third game of their season. He has sat out one game of each back to back sets. George has been back for 3 games and coincidentally, Leonard has missed those 3 games with a sore knee.
The Clippers are a strange team with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as the only two regular starters who average double figures. They also have two players who come off the bench who are two of their best players. Montrezl Harrell averages 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks. Lou Williams averages 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Both players come off the bench.
The starting lineup listed is from the Clippers' Team Notes. Kawhi has missed the past 3 games with a sore knee and is listed as questionable for this game. He will likely be a game time decision. They will miss his 26.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.1 steals. However, he is also averaging 4.1 turnovers per game and shooting 44% from the field and just 28.6% from beyond the arc.
If Leonard does return, there will be some questions as to how he and Paul George play together. Leonard has been playing small forward but that is where George is playing now. I expect Leonard to slip over to shooting guard. It will be interesting to see how they mesh since they haven't played together at all this season.
Marcus Smart left the game against the Suns on Monday with a sprained ankle. He also has a bone bruise on his hip and a couple of sprained fingers from previous games. He said after the game that he plans to play in this game, but I wouldn't be surprised if they tell him to sit out a game. He is too important to the team to take chances with. Gordon Hayward is also out with the hand injury.
Key Matchups
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paul George
This will definitely be the key matchup this game, even if Kawhi returns. George is averaging 29.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He is shooting 56.3% from the field and 52.2% from beyond the arc over the 3 games he has played so far this season.
The Celtics need to slow him down and keep him from having another big game.
vs
Brad Wanamaker vs Lou Williams
Williams comes off the bench for the Clippers and averages 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He shoots 41.6% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc. He has had big games against the Celtics in the past and they have to keep him from having a big game in this one, especially if Kawhi doesn't play.
Honorable Mention
Grant Williams vs Montrezl Harrell
Harrell is another Clipper who comes off the bench to put up big numbers. He is averaging 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He is coming off a game on Monday with 28 points and 12 rebounds. He his shooting 60% from the field. The Celtics need to be ready for him and try to slow him down.
Of course, if Kawhi Leonard does play, Leonard vs Smart would definitely be a key matchup but at this time, Kawhi is listed as questionable and Marcus is a game time decision.
Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense wins games and the Celtics need to play tough team defense if they want to win this game. The Clippers average 112.8 points per game and so the Celtics average 112.6 points per game. The Celtics will need to slow them down with defense and not get into a shoot out with them. The Celtics need to make defense a priority as the Clippers are a good defensive team also and it is likely defense that will win this game.
Rebound - The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball. Much of rebounding is effort and desire and so the Celtics must put out the extra effort on the boards to give themselves extra possessions as well as to limit the Clippers fast break opportunities and second chance points. The Clippers are 2nd in the league with 15.7 2nd chance points and they are 5th with 15.8 fast break points. It's important for the Celtics to win the rebounding battle to limit both of those.
Energy and Effort - The Celtics have to come out with energy and have to play harder than the Clippers. 100% effort from every Celtic will be needed to get a win in this one. They have to be the more aggressive team and be the team that wants it more. The Celtics let the Kings outwork them and they lost that game. They have been getting their opponents best efforts and they simply must work harder to get a win.
Bench Play - The Clippers reserves are averaging 78.6 points per game, which is an incredible number. This includes 18.9 points from Harrell and 22.1 points from Lou Williams. The Celtics reserves must take this group seriously and play well on both ends of the court and especially on defense.
X-Factors
Road Fatigue - The Celtics are playing in the fourth game of a 5 game road trip and it is the 4th game in 6 days. The final game is usually the hardest as they look forward to getting back home again. Fatigue could become a factor for the Celtics but hopefully their depth will allow them to have enough in the tank to get the win.
Officiating - I know that I say this every game, but the officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew calls the game differently whether they call every little ticky tack foul or they let a lot of contact go and let the teams play. Some refs favor the home team and some not so much. The Celtics have got to adjust to the way the game is being called.
Coaching - Doc Rivers coached the Celtics for 9 years before leaving to coach the Clippers. Brad Stevens has been coach of the Celtics for the past 6 years. Both are considered to be among the best coaches in the league. This could be a chess match between the current and former coaches of the Celtics.
Boston Celtics (11-2) at Los Angeles Clippers (9-5)
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
10:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game [HASH]14, Road Game [HASH]9
TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FSPT
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, AM570 LA Sports
Staples Center
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Kemba Walker vs Patrick Beverly
Shooting Guard
vs
Marcus Smart vs Terance Mann
Small Forward
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paul George
Power Forward
vs
Jayson Tatum vs Maurice Harkless
Center
vs
Daniel Theis vs Ivica Zubac
Celtics Reserves
Carsen Edwards
Javonte Green
Semi Ojeleye
Vincent Poirier
Brad Wanamaker
Grant Williams
Enes Kanter
Robert Williams III
Injuries/NWT
Gordon Hayward (hand) out
Romeo Langford (G-League/ankle) out
Marcus Smart (hip/ankle/fingers) game time decision
Two Way Players
Tremont Waters
Tacko Fall
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Clippers Reserves
JaMychal Green
Montrezl Harrell
Mfiondu Kabengele
Rodney McGruder
Patrick Patterson
Jerome Robinson
Derrick Walton, Jr
Lou Williams
Injuries/NWT
Landry Shamet (ankle) out
Kawhi Leonard (knee) questionable
Two-Way Players
Amir Coffey
Jonathan Motley
Game Notes
The Celtics take on Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers in the 4th game of their Western road trip. They will meet again in Boston on February 13. The Celtics are 4-1 vs the West while the Clippers are 3-1 vs the East. The Celtics are 6-2 on the road and 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Clippers are 8-1 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games.
The Celtics are looking for their 2nd straight win while the Clippers have won their last two and are looking for their third straight win. The Clippers are playing the third game of a 5 game home stand. The Celtics lead the series all time 88-42 and they lead the series 43-25 all time in Los Angeles.
The Clippers are one of the teams favored to win the championship this season. One of the reasons that they are favored is the pairing of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two of the best two way players in the league. The reason that they are off to a rather slow start is the fact that Leonard and George haven't played together yet.
Paul George missed the first eleven games as he completed his rehab from off season shoulder surgery. Kawhi Leonard started with load management the third game of their season. He has sat out one game of each back to back sets. George has been back for 3 games and coincidentally, Leonard has missed those 3 games with a sore knee.
The Clippers are a strange team with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as the only two regular starters who average double figures. They also have two players who come off the bench who are two of their best players. Montrezl Harrell averages 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks. Lou Williams averages 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Both players come off the bench.
The starting lineup listed is from the Clippers' Team Notes. Kawhi has missed the past 3 games with a sore knee and is listed as questionable for this game. He will likely be a game time decision. They will miss his 26.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.1 steals. However, he is also averaging 4.1 turnovers per game and shooting 44% from the field and just 28.6% from beyond the arc.
If Leonard does return, there will be some questions as to how he and Paul George play together. Leonard has been playing small forward but that is where George is playing now. I expect Leonard to slip over to shooting guard. It will be interesting to see how they mesh since they haven't played together at all this season.
Marcus Smart left the game against the Suns on Monday with a sprained ankle. He also has a bone bruise on his hip and a couple of sprained fingers from previous games. He said after the game that he plans to play in this game, but I wouldn't be surprised if they tell him to sit out a game. He is too important to the team to take chances with. Gordon Hayward is also out with the hand injury.
Key Matchups
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Paul George
This will definitely be the key matchup this game, even if Kawhi returns. George is averaging 29.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He is shooting 56.3% from the field and 52.2% from beyond the arc over the 3 games he has played so far this season.
The Celtics need to slow him down and keep him from having another big game.
vs
Brad Wanamaker vs Lou Williams
Williams comes off the bench for the Clippers and averages 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He shoots 41.6% from the field and 32.8% from beyond the arc. He has had big games against the Celtics in the past and they have to keep him from having a big game in this one, especially if Kawhi doesn't play.
Honorable Mention
Grant Williams vs Montrezl Harrell
Harrell is another Clipper who comes off the bench to put up big numbers. He is averaging 18.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He is coming off a game on Monday with 28 points and 12 rebounds. He his shooting 60% from the field. The Celtics need to be ready for him and try to slow him down.
Of course, if Kawhi Leonard does play, Leonard vs Smart would definitely be a key matchup but at this time, Kawhi is listed as questionable and Marcus is a game time decision.
Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense wins games and the Celtics need to play tough team defense if they want to win this game. The Clippers average 112.8 points per game and so the Celtics average 112.6 points per game. The Celtics will need to slow them down with defense and not get into a shoot out with them. The Celtics need to make defense a priority as the Clippers are a good defensive team also and it is likely defense that will win this game.
Rebound - The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball. Much of rebounding is effort and desire and so the Celtics must put out the extra effort on the boards to give themselves extra possessions as well as to limit the Clippers fast break opportunities and second chance points. The Clippers are 2nd in the league with 15.7 2nd chance points and they are 5th with 15.8 fast break points. It's important for the Celtics to win the rebounding battle to limit both of those.
Energy and Effort - The Celtics have to come out with energy and have to play harder than the Clippers. 100% effort from every Celtic will be needed to get a win in this one. They have to be the more aggressive team and be the team that wants it more. The Celtics let the Kings outwork them and they lost that game. They have been getting their opponents best efforts and they simply must work harder to get a win.
Bench Play - The Clippers reserves are averaging 78.6 points per game, which is an incredible number. This includes 18.9 points from Harrell and 22.1 points from Lou Williams. The Celtics reserves must take this group seriously and play well on both ends of the court and especially on defense.
X-Factors
Road Fatigue - The Celtics are playing in the fourth game of a 5 game road trip and it is the 4th game in 6 days. The final game is usually the hardest as they look forward to getting back home again. Fatigue could become a factor for the Celtics but hopefully their depth will allow them to have enough in the tank to get the win.
Officiating - I know that I say this every game, but the officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew calls the game differently whether they call every little ticky tack foul or they let a lot of contact go and let the teams play. Some refs favor the home team and some not so much. The Celtics have got to adjust to the way the game is being called.
Coaching - Doc Rivers coached the Celtics for 9 years before leaving to coach the Clippers. Brad Stevens has been coach of the Celtics for the past 6 years. Both are considered to be among the best coaches in the league. This could be a chess match between the current and former coaches of the Celtics.