(http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_441000/FF_441099_xl.jpg) at (http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_441000/FF_441189_xl.jpg)
Boston Celtics (13-23) at Golden State Warriors (24-14)
Friday, January 10, 2014
10:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #37, Road Game #19
TV: CSN-NE, CSN-Bay, NBA-LP 767(DTV), 752(Xfinity)
Radio: WBZ, KNBR
Oracle Arena
(http://www.insidearenas.com/western/pictures/oracle08902.jpg)
(http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/boston/00-Celticslogos.gif)
Probable Starters
(http://static.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/4758.jpg)(http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/4750.jpg)(http://static.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/4247.jpg)(http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3959.jpg)(http://static.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3831.jpg)
PG: Jordan Crawford
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Jeff Green
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Kris Humphries
Celtics Reserves
Jerryd Bayless
Jared Sullinger
Vitor Faverani
Phil Pressey
Gerald Wallace
Keith Bogans
MarShon Brooks
Injuries
Rajon Rondo (ACL) out
(http://www.insidearenas.com/western/pictures/oracle08900.jpg)
(http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/goldst/00-GSWarriorslogos.gif)
Probable Starters
(http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/4612.jpg)(http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/4892.jpg)(http://static.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3826.jpg)(http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3956.jpg)(http://static.foxsports.com/fe/images/NBA/Headshots/140x170/3927.jpg)
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: David Lee
C: Andrew Bogut
Warriors Reserves
Harrison Barnes
Marreese Speights
Draymond Green
Toney Douglas
Kent Bazemore
Ognjen Kuzmic
Injuries
Festus Ezeli (knee) out
Jermaine O'Neal (wrist) out
D-League
Nemanja Nedovic
Game Notes
The Celtics continue their western swing with a visit to the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics desperately need a win in this game after losing the the first 3 games on the trip and losing their last 6 overall.
The Warriors are looking to get back on track after losing their last game to the Nets, which broke their 10 game win streak. The Celtics are 1-9 in their last 10 games while the Warriors are 9-1 in their last 10. The Warriors are tough at home with an 11-4 record at Oracle Arena.
The Celtics have won 199 games overall against the Warriors franchise. The Warriors haven't won a series vs the Celtics since the 2006-07 season. They split the series last season with each team winning on their home courts. The Warriors have won 13 of their last 17 games vs the Celtics on their home court.
Brad Stevens made a change in the starting lineup for the last game, replacing Jared Sullinger with Kris Humphries and I expect him to go with the same lineup for this game. MarShon Brooks is supposed to be back with the team for this game.
Key Matchups
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/act_jordan_crawford.jpg) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/act_stephen_curry.jpg)
Jordan Crawford vs Stephen Curry
Curry is a very good point guard. He's quick and can get to the basket and can hit the outside shot as well as pass out to the open man. He is averaging 23.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.97 steals per game. Covering him will be a tough job for Crawford.
(http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/act_brandon_bass.jpg) vs (http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/media/act_david_lee.jpg)
Brandon Bass vs David Lee
Lee is averaging 19.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He plays hard all the time. Brandon will need to play defense as well as to make Lee work on the other end of the court.
Honorable Mention
Avery Bradley vs Klay Thompson
Thompson is averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.03 steals. We may see Avery on Curry to try to slow down the Warriors offense but both Curry and Thompson are a threat to score and both will need to be closely defended.
Defense - The Warriors can put up points quickly and in bunches. It will be important for the Celtics to bring their defensive intensity into this game, especially to shut down the Warriors' fast breaks. The Celtics must especially guard the perimeter as the Warriors are very dangerous beyond the arc.
Rebound - The Celtics need to crash the boards to keep the Warriors from igniting their fast breaks. The Celtics also need to rebound to give themselves second chance points and limit the second chance points for the Warriors.
Take Care of the Ball - The Warriors can be very disruptive by getting into the passing lanes. The Celtics seem to go through periods in every game where they turn over the ball several times in a row. The Celtics need to stay focused and not give the Warriors any easy opportunities to steal the ball or to get out on the break.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to come out focused and play hard from start to finish. The Celtics have to be the more aggressive team throughout the game. They must be aggressive on defense, on the boards, in chasing down loose balls, and in taking the ball to the hoop and not settling for jumpers. Their effort was good vs the Clippers and they need to once again bring effort to this game.
X-Factors
Road and Fatigue
The Celtics have to stay focused in this 4th game of their road trip and not let the hostile crowd take them out of their game. Also, this is the 4th of a 5 game road trip and the 4th game in 6th nights. Fatigue and road weariness may be getting to them.