Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 17, 2008 13:05:25 GMT -5
at 
Boston Celtics (53-13) at Houston Rockets (46-20)
Tuesday, March 18
9:30 PM ET
Game #67, Road Game #33
TV: TNT, FSNHou,
Radio: WEEI, Sirius 122
Toyota Center
Probable Starters
Rajon Rondo/Ray Allen*/Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett/Kendrick Perkins
*or Tony Allen if Ray is unable to go
Off the Bench
Eddie House, James Posey, Tony Allen, Big Baby Davis, Leon Powe, Sam Cassell, PJ Brown, Brian Scalabrine
Injuries
Scot Pollard, ankle, out
Ray Allen, foot, questionable
Probable Starters
Rafer Alston/Tracy McGrady/Shane Battier/Luis Scola/Dikembe Mutomto
Off the Bench
Chuck Hayes, Luther Head, Bobby Jackson, Steve Novak, Mike Harris, Justin Williams, Aaron Brooks
Injuries
Steve Francis, knee, out
Yao Ming, foot, out
Carl Landry, knee, probable
Key Matchups
vs 
Rajon Rondo PPG 10.5 RPG 4.20 APG 5.1 EFF + 14.08
Rafer Alston PPG 13.0 RPG 3.60 APG 5.6 EFF + 13.87
Rafer Alston has been one of the keys to the Rockets 22 game win streak. Against the Lakers, he was 8-11 from beyond the arc for a game high 32 points. It will be up to Rondo to stay with Alston and keep him in check.
vs Kevin Garnett PPG 18.7 RPG 9.40 APG 3.5 EFF + 24.86
Luis Scola PPG 9.3 RPG 5.80 APG 1.3 EFF + 11.50
This could be a big mismatch in the Celtics favor. Scola is a very good young player and has been doing a good job for the Rockets but he is a rookie. KG has the height and experience advantage and should be able to exploit this matchup.
Keys to the Game
Defend the perimeter. The Rockets have been shooting the lights out from beyond the arc and the Celtics have to be ready to defend against the 3 point shots. They shot 46% from 3 point range against the Lakers and will look to continue to score from the perimeter against the Celtics. The Celtics have to be ready to stop the onslaught of 3 pointers that will surely come.
Keep their composure The Rockets are a tough defensive team and will try to rattle the Celtics with defensive pressure. The Celtics will need to keep their composure and not let the defense rattle them or take them out of their game. They also shouldn't let the 22 game win streak get into their heads and psych them out.
Crash the Boards The Rockets are a good rebounding team because they are hustling on every play. They out rebounded the Lakers 46-40 and the Celtics will need to match their effort and energy in going for rebounds.
Fast Start The Celtics need to come out right at the beginning ready to win this game. They need to hustle on every play and not let the Rockets gain the edge. The Celtics can't afford to get down like they did to the Spurs as they might not have enough left to come back after the hard fought win the night before.
Game Notes
The Celtics came back from 20 points down to beat the Rockets 97-93 in Boston. While the Celtics were at full strength in that game, the Rockets had a very different look. McGrady didn't play and they had a starting lineup of Alston, Head, Hayes, Battier and Yao. And, they didn't have the confidence of a 22 game winning streak behind them.
The Rockets are now alone in first place in the Western Conference and will want to stay that way. They are going to be very motivated to keep their streak alive as well as to avenge the earlier loss in Boston.
X-Factor
Fatigue vs Adrenalin
The Celtics are coming off a very emotional come from behind win in San Antonio. They are pumped to end the Rockets' streak, but the effort the night before might not leave them with enough to pull it out.
