Celtics Looking to Declaw Bobcats in Home Opener
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Charlotte Bobcats (0-0) at Boston Celtics (1-0)
Wednesday, October 28
7:30 PM ET
Game #2, Home Game #1
TV CSN HD, FSCR, LP 755,756
TD Banknorth Garden
Referees: Scott Foster, Brian Forte, Gary Zielinski
The Celtics have their first road win of the season and now are looking to post their first home win. They will need to get past a young and athletic team in the Charlotte Bobcats in order to notch that first home win. The Bobcats are one of those young and athletic teams that always seem to give the Celtics problems. The Celtics have had to scrap out every win they have gotten against this team over the past two seasons. Hopefully they will be able to set the tone early in this one and get an easy win.
The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games after beating the Cavs in Cleveland in their first game of the season. This is the Bobcats' first game of the season. So, fatigue may be a problem especially for KG who is still working his way into game shape. The bench will once again come into play in this game and they should be the difference that the Celtics need to pull this one out.
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Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 27.8
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 224
Probable Starters
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PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins
Reserves
Rasheed Wallace
Marquis Daniels
Eddie House
Shelden Williams
Lester Hudson
JR Giddens
Injuries
Tony Allen (ankle) day to day
Bill Walker (knee) out
Brian Scalabrine (ankle) day to day
Big Baby Davis (thumb) out
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Coach: Larry Brown
Average Age: 26.2
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 223
Probable Starters
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PG: Raymond Felton
SG: Stephen Graham
SF: Gerald Wallace
PF: Boris Diaw
C: Tyson Chandler
Reserves
Nazr Mohammed
Vladimir Radmanovic
DeSagana Diop
Gerald Henderson
Derrick Brown
Alexis Ajinca
DJ Augustin
Injuries
Raja Bell (wrist) day to day
Flip Murray (shin) day to day
Key Matchups
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vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_udq_Fc_ZT6_TTSFbgS-4W_J2fsM_hNwl6QIRgrUMZKHd0SGFpdo1XUgcm-24Xwb4S5yrhyGDFn9yQysqWuOqOfoThnEivPvaOqPjUhdol7RchziWtkq_K6WBzS7LQ2ifM=s0-d)
KG has a height advantage over Diaw and so, if healthy, should be able to exploit this matchup. However, Diaw is quick and so KG needs to be able to get back on defense of Diaw will make him pay.
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vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_terwrmRxzjifRaGRiPi8ibq-vu7_qpHFQH_2m-X2ME2P9-tO39NgiNAx6Rbav-KzmpATFoBxQXkWqmIi1KpCwHFHUnBVdhrEpX7IFYzYFnG-gGeaJreT1BzAhsClDqWDedCac=s0-d)
Rajon Rondo vs Raymond Felton
Rondo is playing for a big contract and needs to prove night in and night out that he is worth it.
Honorable Mention
Paul Pierce vs Gerald Wallace.
Wallace always seems to play his best games against the Celtics. Pierce will have to step up his defense as Wallace is one of the main cogs of the Bobcats offense.
Keys to the Game
Start strong The Celtics got off to a very slow start and were down 13-2 against the Cavs. It takes more out of them to have to play catch up and need to get off to a good start in this game.
Defense Defense is going to be a key to every game this season and to winning another championship. They have said they want to be the best defensive team ever and will need to play better defense than we have seen so far if they want to accomplish that goal.
Limit turnovers One of the Celtics flaws is still allowing too many turnovers. They need to take better care of the ball and not give away as many possessions.
Bench play Against the Cavs, the Celtics bench brought energy into the game when the starters seemed to be lacking it. It was the bench that brought the Celtics back from the 14 point deficit to take the lead. This bench is going to be crucial in a lot of games this season because they are deep and talented and should be able to take advantage of most of the other benches they face.
