Celtics take on divisional foe Knicks in Hartford

   at 
New York Knicks (1-0) at Boston Celtics (1-1)
Preseason Game #3 – Home Game #1
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 7:30pm ET
TV: Comcast Sportsnet, MSG, NBA-LP (DTV 751)
 Radio: WEEI (93.7FM)
XL Center,  Hartford, CT

Even though the Celtics have played two games in the pre-season,  European teams play a different style and so this is their first test against NBA competition.   The Celtics Notes list Sully and JT as starters but they could be going by who started the last game.  As of yesterday, Doc was still saying he wasn't sure who he would start so this could change.  Brandon Bass was running with the starters in practice so it's a good possibility that he will be in the starting lineup for this game. 

The Knicks are now one of the oldest teams in the league but they still have plenty of firepower and they have a strong core.  They are going to be tough competition for the Celtics in the division.  Amare Stoudamire worked with Hakeem Olajuwan this summer and I'm sure he's anxious to show off his new post moves but he suffered a bone bruise to his knee in practice and is listed as questionable for this game.    The Knicks have said they will be cautious with Stoudemire, who has a long history of knee problems.  

As with most preseason games, the starters on both teams aren't expected to play heavy minutes.  Both coaches will be experimenting with lineups and taking a closer look at players on the bubble.  For the Celtics, Doc is still trying to find a back up at the point.  It will be interesting to see whether Dionte Christmas or Jamar Smith steps up to show they can handle that position.  

Probable Starters
PG  SG  SF  PF  C
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG:  Jason Terry
SF:  Paul Pierce
PF:  Jared Sullinger
C:   Kevin Garnett

Reserves
Brandon Bass
Dionte Christmas
Jason Collins
Micah Downs
Jeff Green
Kris Joseph
Rob Kurz
Courtney Lee
Fab Melo
Darko Milicic
Jamar Smith

Injuries
Chris Wilcox (back) day to day
Micah Downs (shoulder) day to day
Avery Bradley (shoulders) out 



Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
PG:  Raymond Felton
SG:  Mychel Thompson
SF:  Carmelo Anthony
PF:  Kurt Thomas
C:   Tyson Chandler

Reserves
JR Smith
Steve Novak
Jason Kidd
Henry Simms
John Shurna
Pablo Prigioni
Chris Copeland
Oscar Bellfield

Injuries

Ronnie Brewer (MCL)  out
Marcus  Camby (calf)  out
Iman Shumpert  (ACL)  out
Chris Smith (patella)  out
Amare Stoudemire (knee) questionable
Rasheed Wallace (out of shape)  questionable
James White (hamstring)  questionable 

Key Matchups
  vs
This is always a fun matchup to watch.  Although both are listed as starting, I expect both to play 24 minutes or less. 

vs
Kevin Garnett vs Tyson Chandler
KG vs anyone is a fun matchup to watch.  As with Pierce and Melo, I don't expect either player to be on the floor for big minutes. 

Things to Watch
1.  How are the new guys playing
2.  How is Sully playing against bigger NBA competition
3.  Is the pick and roll defense improving
4.  Who plays back up point?