(http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_766000/ff_766825_xl.jpg) at (http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_766000/ff_766829_xl.jpg)
Boston Celtics (40-39) at OrlandoMagic (20-59)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
7:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #80, Road Game #40
TV: CSNNE, FSFL, NBA-LP 753(BOS)/754(ORL)
Radio: WEEI, WDBO
Amway Center
(http://www.nba.com/magic/photos/amwaycenter_300_091411.jpg)
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
(http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/avery_bradley.jpg) vs (http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3845.jpg)
Avery Bradley vs Beno Udrih
Shooting Guard
(http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/paul_pierce.jpg) vs (http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/etwaun_moore.jpg)
Paul Pierce vs E'Twaun Moore
Small Forward
(http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jeff_green.jpg) vs (http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/maurice_harkless.jpg)
Jeff Green vs Maurice Harkless
Power Forward
(http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brandon_bass.jpg) vs (http://cdn.hoopshype.com/i/a1/d4/49/tobias_harris.jpg)
Brandon Bass vs Tobias Harris
Center
(http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/261.jpg) vs (http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nikola_vucevic.jpg)
Kevin Garnett vs Nikola Vucevic
(http://www.insidearenas.com/eastern/images/acenter10952.jpg)
(http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_866000/ff_866302_xl.jpg)
Celtics Reserves
Terrence Williams
Jason Terry
Courtney Lee
Shavlik Randolph
DJ White
Chris Wilcox
Jordan Crawford
Injured
Rajon Rondo (knee) out
Jared Sullinger (back) out
Paul Pierce (ankle) day to day
Kevin Garnett (ankle) day to day
Jeff Green (arm) day to day
Red Claws
Fab Melo
(http://image.become.com/imageserver/s5/741450475-150-150-5-32/skullcandy-hesh-magic-dwight-howard-headphones.jpg)
Magic Reserves
Hedo Turkoglu
Andrew Nicholson
DeQuan Jones
Kyle O'Quinn
Al Harrington
Doron Lamb
Injuries
Arron Afflalo (hamstring) out
Glen Davis (foot) out
Jameer Nelson (ankle) day to day
Game Notes
The Celtics visit the Magic for their 3rd and final meeting of the season and looking for a sweep of the season series. The Celtics won both previous meetings, one at home and one in Orlando.
The Celtics have lost 2 in a row while the Magic are looking for their second straight win. The Celtics are 4-6 in their last 10 games while the Magic are just 2-8 in their last 10. The Magic have a 12-27 record at home while the Celtics have a not much better 13-26 record on the road.
I have no idea who will or won't be playing in this game. Doc may choose to sit Jeff Green after falling on his arm in the Miami game. There have been rumors that KG and Pierce will play in this game but then again, if they are still having ankle problems, Doc may sit them one more game. At this point, I'm not sure it matters. The starters may end up being completely different, but as of now, this is my best guess.
The Celtics need just one more win or one more Milwaukee loss to clinch the 7th spot. They won't move up and hopefully will stay in the 7th spot. It's also pretty certain that they will be playing the Knicks in the first round. No matter who plays in this one, it would be nice to get a win on the road. They are going to have to win on the road in the playoffs, and so far they haven't proved that they can.
Key Matchups
(http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/paul_pierce.jpg) vs (http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/etwaun_moore.jpg)
Paul Pierce vs E'Twaun Moore
Assuming that Pierce plays, he will be matched up with former Celtic E'Twaun Moore. Former Celtics always seem to have career nights against the Celtics.
(http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/65/261.jpg) vs (http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nikola_vucevic.jpg)
Kevin Garnett vs Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic has been the bright spot for the Magic in this first post-Dwight season. He is averaging 12.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. KG may or may not play in this one but whoever plays him needs to keep him away from the basket.
Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense is the key to winning. Period. T The Celtics need to commit to playing defense and make that their priority in each and every game from now on because it becomes even more important in the playoffs.
Rebound - Rebounding continues to be a weakness for the Celtics and they have to do better as a team aggressively going after rebounds. Much of rebounding is effort and when the Celtics put out the effort on the boards, that effort translates to the rest of their game as well.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics have to be aggressive from start to finish. They have to take the ball to the hoop and not settle for jumpers, especially if the jumpers aren't falling. They also have to be aggressive in going after loose balls and rebounds as well. And most important, they have to be aggressive on defense.
X-Factors
Road Game and Injuries
The Celtics have not played well on the road this entire season. They must find a way to improve their focus and get some wins on the road. They will need to win on the road in the playoffs and they have 2 more road games in the regular season to figure it out.