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Boston Celtics (27-4) at Sacramento Kings (7-23)
Sunday, December 28
9:00 PM ET
Game #32, Road Game #14
TV: CSN CA, CSN HD, NBA LP 754
Arco ArenaCoach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222Probable Starters PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 11.3 RPG 5.00 APG 7.5 EFF + 19.04
SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.8 RPG 3.50 APG 2.6 EFF + 17.14
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 18.5 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 17.79
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 16.3 RPG 9.10 APG 2.8 EFF + 22.19
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 9.1 RPG 8.50 APG 1.3 EFF + 14.79
ReservesTony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
InjuriesKendrick Perkins (Shoulder) probable
Coach: Kenny Natt
Average Age: 26.5
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 216
Probable Starters PG: Beno Udrih PPG 11.9 RPG 3.10 APG 5.0 EFF + 12.82
SG: John Salmons PPG 20.0 RPG 3.50 APG 3.2 EFF + 17.39
SF: Francisco Garcia PPG 12.4 RPG 3.30 APG 1.8 EFF + 11.58
PF: Spencer Hawes PPG 11.4 RPG 7.30 APG 1.6 EFF + 14.45
C: Brad Miller PPG 11.3 RPG 7.50 APG 3.5 EFF + 16.42
ReservesMikki Moore
Bobby Jackson
Jason Thompson
Bobby Brown
Donte Greene
Sheldon Williams
Quincy Douby
Kevin Martin
Kenny Thomas
Injuries Kevin Martin (ankle) out
Kenny Thomas (calf) out
Key Matchups vs
Ray Allen vs John Salmons
Salmons is the Kings' leading scorer and it will be up to Ray to try to stop him along with hitting his own shots.
vs
The Celtics play best when Rondo is aggressive. He will need to take it to Udrih while also playing tough defense to keep Udrih from getting his shot off.
Honorable Mention Kendrick Perkins vs Brad Miller
Miller is a tough inside player and Perk will need to work on defense to keep him away from dominating in the paint.
Game Notes: The Celtics are coming off 2 straight losses for the first time this season and would like to avoid a 3 game losing streak. The Kings have lost 5 in a row but in spite of their record, they can be tough. They are one of the 5 teams who have beaten the Lakers and so the Celtics can't sleep on them. Hopefully, the Celtics have gotten their wake up call that they can't just coast through games. They need to find their defense again and maintain it throughout the game and not just the first 3 quarters.
ConnectionsMikki Moore and Brian Scalabrine were teammates in New Jersey
Eddie House played on the Kings in the '02-03 season
Mikki Moore played for the Celtics in the '02-03 season
Kenny Thomas and J.R. Giddens are former New Mexico Lobos
Keys to the Game Defense from start to finish
Focus
Limit turnovers
Crash the boards