Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 1, 2016 22:07:54 GMT -5
at 
Portland Trailblazers (32-28) at Boson Celtics (36-25)
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
7:30 PM ET
Game [HASH]62, Home Game [HASH]31
TV: CSNNE, CSNNW, NBA-LP 755(DTV); 753(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, Rip City Radio 620
TD Garden
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs 
Isaiah Thomas vs Damian Lillard
Shooting Guard
vs 
Avery Bradley vs CJ McCollum
Small Forward
Jae Crowder vs Al-Farouq Aminu
Power Forward
vs 
Amir Johnson vs Noah Vonleh
Center
vs 
Jared Sullinger vs Mason Plumlee
Celtics Reserves
Evan Turner
RJ Hunter
Jonas Jerebko
Terry Rozier
Tyler Zeller
Marcus Smart
Jordan Mickey
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Injuries
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) out
James Young (calf) day to day
Avery Bradley (knee/ankle) expected to play
Isaiah Thomas (wrist) expected to play
Marcus Smart (thumb) expected to play
Blazers Reserves
Cliff Alexander
Pat Connaughton
Allen Crabbe
Ed Davis
Maurice Harkless
Gerald Henderson
Chris Kaman
Meyers Leonard
Luis Montero
Brian Roberts
Head Coach
Terry Stotts
Injuries
None
Key Matchups
vs Isaiah Thomas vs Damian Lillard
Isaiah will have his hands full guarding Damien Lillard who has been playing with a chip on his shoulder after being left off the Western All Star team. He is averaging 25.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. Lillard has gone for at least 30 points in seven of his last eight games with an average of 33.3 in that span. If Isaiah struggles to slow him down, we may see Marcus Smart on him to wear him down a bit.
vs Avery Bradley vs CJ McCollum
While Isaiah is working to guard Lillard, Avery will have a challenge of his own trying to stay with CJ McCollum, who is averaging 20.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists. The Celtics will need to play tough defense to try to control Portland's high scoring back court duo.
Game Notes
The Celtics continue their home stand as they host the Portland Trailblazers for the first of 2 meetings this season. They will meet again on March 31 in Portland. They split the series 1-1 last season with each team winning on the road. The Celtics won in Portland 90-89 when Evan Turner hit a 3 from the right corner with 1.9 seconds to go. The Blazers won 94-88 in Boston.
Portland has won 4 of their last 5 games against the Celtics and they have win the last two played in Boston. These are 2 of the hottest teams in the league with The Celtics winning 14 of their last 18 games and their last 3. The Blazers have won 14 of their last 16 and they have also won 3 straight.
The Blazers are playing in the 4th game of a 6 game Eastern road trip. they are playing in the second of back to back games, having beaten the Knicks in New York on Tuesday night. The Celtics can only hope that they will be tired and the Celtics can out run them in this game.
The Blazers are healthy with no reported injuries. Kelly Olynyk is still out with the shoulder injury and James Young is day to day with a calf injury. Isaiah Thomas (wrist), Avery Bradley (ankle/knee) and Marcus Smart (thumb) are all banged up but expected to play.
Keys to the Game
Push the Pace The Celtics play best when they are running on every possession and running back quickly on defense as well. With the Blazers playing on an extended road trip and playing back to back, the Celtics especially need to push the pace in this one.
Rebound - The Celtics must make an extra effort to grab rebounds in order to give themselves extra possessions as well as to keep the Blazers from cashing in with second chance points. The Blazers are 5th in the league in rebounding with 45.8 per game and the Celtics are going to have to work hard to beat them on the boards.
Defense - The Celtics have hung their hats on their defense for the most part this season but have let it slip just before and just after the All Star break. They must play tough in your face defense especially to keep Lillard and McCollum from having big games. They especially must defend the 3 point line or the Blazers will make them pay since they are averaging 36.1% from beyond the arc.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics have to be the team that works harder and wants the win more. They have to dive for loose balls, go for every rebound and just hustle on every play. They have to be aggressive in getting to the basket as well and not settle for outside shots, especially if they aren't falling. They need to outwork the Blazers who should be feeling the effects of travel and playing two nights in a row.
X-Factors
Officiating Factor - The officiating is an x factor for every game. Every officiating crew calls games differently. Some call every little foul making it difficult to get any rhythm and some let the teams play. Some refs have an agenda and call the game for or against a particular team or player or to favor the home team. And there are always star calls no matter who the referees are. Regardless of how the game is called, the Celtics need to play through it and keep their focus.
Focus Factor - The Celtics are going for their 12 straight home win. They are also fighting to stay in the 3rd spot in the East ahead of a Heat team that is playing very well. They must keep their focus and come out strong and play hard as a team for the full 48 minutes. [/center]
