Celtics Looking for 10th Straight Road Win

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Boston Celtics (23-5) at Los Angeles Clippers (12-17)
Sunday, December 27
9:30 PM ET
Game #29, Road Game #15
TV: CSN-NE, FSNP, NBA LP 758, 759
Radio: WEEI, KFWB
Staples Center
Today's Refs: Scott Foster, David Guthrie, Marat Kogut


Both of these teams played on Christmas day with opposite results. The Celtics are coming off an impressive win, even without the Captain, in Orlando while the Clippers are coming off one of their most lopsided losses of the season in Phoenix. The Celtics are 13-1 on the road while the Clippers are 7-8 at home. The Celtics are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have won 3 in a row. The Clippers on the other hand are 4-6 in their last 10 and have lost 3 in a row.

The Celtics are going for their 10th straight road win, which would match the second longest road win streak in franchise history. The record is 13 straight road wins and 4 teams have made it to 10 in a row. The most recent 10 game road win streak came Nov. 4-Dec. 17, 2008.

The Celtics will be facing 2 former Celtics in this game. Sebastian Telfair and Ricky Davis have both been doing a decent job coming off the bench for the Clippers. Both will have a special interest in getting a win over their old team.

The Celtics should win this one easily, even without the Captain. But, then again, they should have beat the Sixers easily too. They need to come out with focus and remember that defense wins games. If they lose focus, forget their defense, or take this team for granted, they could be in trouble.





Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
[image] vs [image]
Rajon Rondo vs Baron Davis

Shooting Guard
[image] vs [image]
Ray Allen vs Eric Gordon

Small Forward
[image] vs [image]
Tony Allen vs Rasual Butler

Power Forward
[image] vs [image]
Kevin Garnett vs Marcus Camby

Center
[image] vs [image]
Kendrick Perkins vs Chris Kaman


Key Matchups
[image] vs [image]
Rajon Rondo vs Baron Davis
Baron Davis has slowed some in recent years but he is still one of the NBA's elite point guards. Rondo should be able to use his speed to get the best of this matchup.

[image] vs [image]
Kendrick Perkins vs Chris Kaman
Kaman is leading the Clippers in points at 19.8 per game. It will be up to Perk to slow him down and keep him from getting easy shots.

HonorableMention
Kevin Garnett vs Marcus Camby
This key matchup may or may not materialize with both players listed as questionable for this game. Camby hyperextended his knee in a loss vs the Rockets on Tuesday and left after one quarter of the Clipper's Christmas day loss to the Suns. After missing one game with a bruised thigh, KG returned to the Celtics lineup but took a hard fall in the final minutes of the Celtics win in Orlando, hitting his head hard and landing awkwardly on his back. He walked gingerly off the court holding his back and is also listed as questionable for this game. Camby is the Clippers' leading rebounder (11.5) and shot blocker (2.1). Both players are key to their teams' success. Rasheed Wallace would fill in for KG. I'm not sure who would fill in for Camby if he couldn't play.


Keys to the Game
Defense - The Celtics have been winning with defense and that will be no different in this game. Defense wins games and the Celtics need to continue to make it a priority.

Rebound - The Celtics need to make an effort to crash the boards and get more rebounds, especially on the offensive end. The Clippers are capable of running on the break if the Celtics don't prevent it by keeping them from getting the rebounds.

Focus - The Celtics' focus has been very good on the road. In fact, they have been more focused on the road than they have been at home. Hopefully they will keep this focus through the rest of their current road trip.

X-Factor
Trap Game
After a big win over the Magic on Christmas day, it would be easy to overlook the Clippers who haven't been playing very well this year. The Celtics shouldn't overlook the Clippers or they could end up losing a game they should win easily.

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