Celtics Going for Second Straight Win

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Philadelphia 76ers (5-9) at Boston Celtics (10-4)
Wednesday, November 25
7:30 PM ET
Game #15, Home Game #9
TV: CSNHD, TCN-P, NBA LP 754
Radio: WEEI, WIP
TD Banknorth Garden
Referees: Joe Crawford, Eric Lewis, Scott Wall


The Celtics beat the Sixers 105-74 in their first meeting this season. I am sure the Sixers are coming into the Garden with revenge on their minds, especially if they have been watching the way the Celtics have been playing recently.

The Sixers are playing in the second of back to back games and in the 3rd game in 4 nights while the Celtics have been off since Sunday. The Sixers game last night went down to the wire as they lost to the Wizards by one point. Hopefully, fatigue for the Sixers and rest for the Celtics will translate into a win for home team.




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Probable Starters
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Rajon Rondo PPG 10.8 APG 8.9 SPG 2.6
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Ray Allen PPG 15.0 APG 3.2 3P% .304
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Paul Pierce PPG 19.6 RPG 4.9 APG 3.8
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Kevin Garnett PPG 13.2 RPG 7.6 BPG 1
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Kendrick Perkins PPG 10.5 RPG 7.1 BPG 2.1



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Probable Starters
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Lou Williams PPG 16.7 APG 5.1 SPG 1.8
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Andre Iguodala PPG 18.2 APG 5.7 3P% .304
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Thaddeus Young PPG 13.4 RPG 4.3 APG 2.2
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Elton Brand PPG 12.1 RPG 6.5 BPG 1.3
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Samuel Dalembert PPG 5.4 RPG 6.2 BPG 1.4



Key Matchups
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Rajon Rondo vs Lou Williams
Lou Williams is a young point guard getting is first chance at starting and is making the most of it. In their first meeting this season, neither PG stood out but Rondo had slightly better stats with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals to 7 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals for Williams. Rondo needs to be aggressive and go at Williams and he will be able to take advantage of the matchup.

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Kevin Garnett vs Elton Brand
This is a matchup of two recovering stars. Brand was out all last season for the Sixers and KG missed the last two games vs Philly with the flu and then the knee injury. KG has a height advantage but Brand has a power advantage. Neither player is quite 100% yet, but both can cause trouble if they get in a groove. KG and Perk will have to work together to guard the interior against a strong Philly front line.

Honorable Mention

Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala
Although Iguodala is playing the 2 guard, it will most likely be Paul Pierce who will be charged with trying to slow him down.  Iguodala is the key to the Sixers attack.  He leads them in points, rebounds, assists, and steals and the only category he doesn't lead them in is blocks.  So, the key to slowing down the Sixers is obviously to slow down Andre Iguodala.

Keys to the Game
Defense
As I have said before, defense is going to be the key to every game this season and to winning the championship. The Celtics have talked alot about defense, but have been slipping in playing it in recent games. They need to get back their commitment to team defense.

Rebound
The Sixers have a good rebounding team and the Celtics have to crash the boards to prevent the Sixers from getting second chance baskets and they also need to crash the offensive boards to keep the Sixers from running the break, which they do well. The Celtics are next to last in offensive rebounding. Much of rebounding is effort and desire and the Celtics must show more of both.

Play 48 Minutes
The Celtics have been coming out flat and making runs only to go flat again. The Celtics need to get back to strong starts and playing the entire game instead of digging a hole in the beginning and playing in spurts.

Use the 3 With Caution
Live by the 3 and die by the 3, and the Celtics have been dying by it recently. If the 3's are falling, they are a weapon, but if they aren't, they need to go to the basket. The Celtics have been over relying on the long distance shot and they need to get back to driving to the hoop and either getting the score or drawing the foul.