at
Washington Wizards (6-24) at Boston Celtics (28-5)
Friday, January 2
7:30 PM
Game #34, Home Game #19
TV: CSN-HD, CSN-HD, NBA LP 753
TD Banknorth Garden 
ProbableStarters PG 
Rajon Rondo 10.3 PPG 7.6 APG 2.3 SPG
SG 
Ray Allen 19.2 PPG 2.7 APG .393 3P%
SF 
Paul Pierce 18.2 PPG 6 RPG 3.5 APG
PF 
Kevin Garnett 16.4 PPG 9.4 RPG 1.4 BPG
C 
Kendrick Perkins 8 PPG 8.1 RPG 1.8 BPG
Key off the Bench 
T Allen/Davis/House/Powe
Other Reserves Patrick O'Bryant
Brian Scalabrine
Gabe Pruitt
Sam Cassell
D LeagueBill Walker
JR Giddens
Injured None
Probable Starters PG 
Mike James PPG 8.4 RPG 1.90 APG 2.6
SG 
Nick Young PPG 9.2 RPG 1.90 APG 1.4
SF 
Caron Butler PPG 21 RPG 6.5 APG 4.5
PF 
Antawn Jamison PPG 20.5 RPG 9.20 APG 2.0
C 
Andray Blatche PPG 9.5 RPG 5.20 APG 1.5
Key Reserves 
Songalia/Stevenson/ Dixon/ Thomas /McGuire
Other ReservesOleksiy Pecherov
JaVale McGee
Javaris Crittenton
InjuredGilbert Arenas (knee) out
Brendan Haywood (wrist) out
Caron Butler (ankle) questionable but the Washington Post is reporting that after missing the past 3 games with a sprained ankle, Butler is hoping to play in this one. UPDATE: This morning's papers said that Butler is planning to start tonight.
Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Mike James
In the 8 games that James has started since coming to the Wizards, he is averaging 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Rondo is much quicker and should be able to get past James at will. He will need to be aggressive for the Celtics to win this game.
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Antawn Jamison
Jamison is 2nd in the league in double doubles and is one of the top power forwards with 20.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. This should be a battle inside on both teams.
Honorable MentionKendrick Perkins vs Andray Blatche
In 10 starts for the Wizards, Blatch is averaging 11.8 points and 7 rebounds. Perk is the Celtics best interior defender and should be able to stop Blatche from establishing inside.
Game NotesThe Wizards are 2-12 on the road and are in last place in the Eastern conference. Both teams last played on Tuesday and should be well rested. Both teams are coming off a loss.
Last season, the Wizards won the series 2 games to 1. The Celtics won one in Boston while the Wizards won one at home and a second game in Boston. The Celtics won the first meeting between these two teams at the Verizon Center 122-88. The Wizards have been depleted with injuries this season and now have yet another injury with Caron Butler, one of their top scorers questionable for this game with a sprained ankle.
Team ConnectionsCaron Butler and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt were teammates at USC
DeShawn Stevenson played for Doc in Orlando
Darius Songalia was drafted by the Celtics with the 50th pick in 2002
Antonio Daniels and Ray Allen were teammates in Seattle
Brian Scalabrine played for Eddie Jordan in NJ while Jordan was an assistant there.
Tom Thibodeau was set to join the Wizards last season as an assistant but left the club after his first practice with them.
X-Factor Home at Last
The Celtics are back within the friendly confines of the TD Banknorth Garden. This should help them to get back on the winning track. They have also had some time to watch film from the 3 losses on their road trip and to try to fix what went wrong in those games. Hopefully this will be the start of another win streak.
Celtics Basketball
