Post by FLCeltsFan on Feb 7, 2008 11:11:10 GMT -5
at 
Minnesota Timberwolves (7-34) at Boston Celtics (33-7)
Friday, February 8
8:00 PM ET
Game #47, Road Game #22
TV: ESPN, CSNHD, KSTC-45
Sirius 119
Target Center
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.3 | APG 4.6 | SPG 1.8
SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.4 | APG 3 | 3P% .379
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.1 | RPG 5.5 | APG 4.8
PF: Brian Scalabrine PPG 2 | RPG 1.4 | BPG 0.1
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.5 | RPG 5.6 | BPG 1.2
Off the Bench
Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Brian Scalabrine, Eddie House, Gabe Pruitt, Tony Allen
Injuries
Kevin Garnett, abdominal strain, day to day
Scott Pollard, ankle, day to day
Probable Starters
PG: Sebastian Telfair PPG 9.5 | APG 6 | SPG 1.1
SG: Marko Jaric PPG 8.5 | APG 4.4 | SPG 1.4
SF: Rashad McCants PPG 14.9 | APG 2.3 | 3P% .417
PF: Ryan Gomes PPG 11.8 | RPG 5.5 | APG 1.4
C: Al Jefferson PPG 21.5 | RPG 12.3 | BPG 1.4
Off the Bench
Corey Brewer, Antoine Walker, Craig Smith, Greg Buckner, Mark Madsen, Gerald Green, Chris Richard, Randy Foye
Injuries
Theo Ratliff, knee, out
Key Matchups
vs 
Kendrick Perkins 6'10" PPG 7.5 | RPG 5.6 | BPG 1.2
Al Jefferson 6'10" PPG 21.5 | RPG 12.3 | BPG 1.4
This should be a very good matchup. It will be Perk's defense versus Big Al's offense. Perk got the better of the matchup in Boston as he scored 21 points and held Big Al to only 15. Without KG to draw the double team and pass the ball inside to Perk, I doubt he will be high scorer again, but I do expect him to keep Al from doing too much damage to the Celtics.
vs 
Rajon Rondo PPG 10.3 | APG 4.6 | SPG 1.8
Sebastian Telfair PPG 9.5 | APG 6 | SPG 1.1
This should be an interesting matchup of two former teammates. Telfair at one time had won the starting job while Rondo sat on the bench. Telfair played very well in their first matchup, hitting some key shots down the stretch. Rondo has been playing incredibly well lately and should continue that in this game. Expect him to dominate Telfair on both ends of the court.
Keys to the Game
Defense The Celtics got back to playing good defense against the Clippers after a terrible defensive outing against the Cavs. They will need to continue to play good team defense in this game as the Timberwolves will be very motivated to win this one and will come at the Celtics hard.
Rebounding The Celtics have to put out the effort to rebound. They can't allow teams to out-rebound them and to get second chance points from them. The Wolves are 0-18 when they are out-rebounded. Leon Powe and Big Baby should help in this area if Doc will play them.
Play for 48 minutes After their hot start, the Celtics have been getting leads and then letting up or else, coming out flat and playing catchup. The Celtics have to come out strong and keep the pressure on for 48 minutes. If they get a lead, they have to continue to play and not let the Wolves get back into the game.
Don't Underestimate the Wolves The Wolves may only have 10 wins, but they have been playing well of late. They have beaten some quality teams and came very close to beating the Celtics with KG in the last game. They beat the Warriors, who are 25-18, on the road and then beat the Suns, who The Celtics can't underestimate them as they will be very motivated to get a win here and will be giving this game everything they have.
Game Notes.
Another game on National TV. The Wolves are 8-15 at home and have been playing very well of late. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Celtics won't have KG in this game and the Wolves have had a return to their lineup of Randy Foye. The Wolves will be up for this game and will want to avenge the loss in their last game. KG may travel with the team and although he won't be playing in the game, his teammates will know how much this game will mean to him and hopefully be ready for the Wolves' best effort that we are sure to see.
X-Factor
Bench Play - The bench has been playing very well of late. With the emergence of Leon Powe as he has been given more playing time, with Tony getting back to pre-injury form, and with Posey back to full strength after the finger injury, the bench has been proving that they are not as weak as once thought. I really liked the lineup of Posey, Allen, House, Big Baby and Powe and hope Doc uses this lineup off the bench more.
