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[FLCeltsFan]

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New Jersey Nets (19-19) at Boston Celtics (31-9)
Wednesday, January 14
7:30 PM ET
Game #41, Home Game #22
TV:  CSN HD, YES HD
TD Banknorth Garden



Probable Starters

Rondo*/R Allen/ Pierce/ Garnett/ Scalabrine

Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell
JR Giddens
Bill Walker

Injuries:
Tony Allen (ankle) out   
Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) out 





Harris/Carter/Simmons/Anderson/ Lopez   

Reserves
Josh Boone
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Jarvis Hayes
Eduardo Najera
Keyon Dooling
Maurice Ager
Trenton Hassell
Stromile Swift
Sean Williams
Yi Jianlian

Injuries
Yi Jianlian ( finger ) out

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Devin Harris

  vs 
Ray Allen vs Vince Carter

Team Connections
Brian Scalabrine played for the Nets from 01-05
Josh Boone and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Stromile Swift and Big Baby both went to LSU
Ryan Anderson and Leon Powe are both former Cal Bears
Eddie House played for the Nets in the 06-07 season
Nets assistant coaches Doug Overton (99-01) and Roy Rogers (97-98 ) both played for the Celtics
Eddie House and Keyon Dooling were teammates on the Clippers

Keys to the Game
Defense -  The Nets have the 4th highest road scoring average in the league at 102.1.  They have players who can take it inside as well as good outside shooters.  The Celtics must defend both in the paint and on the perimeter.  The Nets have been a very high scoring team on the road and the Celtics can't try to outscore them.  They must win this with defense. 

Take Care of the Ball   The Celtics have to take better care of the ball.  If they turn it over, Devin Harris and Vince Carter especially will make them pay with fast break points off of the turnovers. 

Don't Underestimate the Nets   The Nets are a better team than their record would indicate.  They can be tough and the Celtics better not underestimate them.   Devin Harris is the highest scoring PG in the league and Vince Carter can take over a game.  The Celtics need to come out strong and push until the final buzzer. 

Game Notes
The Nets are 10-7 on the road and have been playing well on the road.  They are 5-5 in their last 10 games. 

The Celtics have played the Nets only once this season and that was in the preseason and the Celtics won 111-108.   

Brook Lopez has been playing very well for the Nets at center and will be a problem for the Celtics to defend.  He is coming off a 31 point, 13 rebound, 2 block performance on Monday.   Doc doesn't like KG to cover centers, but I don't see Scal handling the 7 foot Lopez.   Scal may do better against the 6'10 rookie, Ryan Anderson who is starting at PF in place of Yi. 

X-Factor
Home court advantage

[Amager Celtic Fan]

Tommy Point for FL.

Let's get that win streak to three!

[Donoghus]

Can't wait to see the Harris/Rondo matchup. Always liked Harris and glad that he seems to finally be coming to his own in New Jersey and out of the shadows of the bigger names back in Dallas.

I know Jersey is a bit down these days but there is still hatred of them on my part stemming back to the playoff battles in the early part of the decade.  Let's destroy 'em!!

[illantari]

Can't wait to see the Harris/Rondo matchup.

Have to say I'm a little worried about this one as Rondo doesn't quite seem to be back to his 19-game-win-streak-psuedo-All-Star play yet.  But should still be quite the matchup.

[crownsy]

wanted: blowout so we can see bill walker.

[Bankshot]

Hate to be a downer, but I'm not optimistic about this game at all.  The Nets have too many bigs for the Celtics to deal with. 
I hope the Celtics prove me wrong though.

[Amager Celtic Fan]

I feel really stupid having to tell
people to TP FL every time.
Maybe I should become a Mod so I could
hand out bans to those who forget!!!

Come on, people...

[xmuscularghandix]

I feel really stupid having to tell
people to TP FL every time.
Maybe I should become a Mod so I could
hand out bans to those who forget!!!

Come on, people...

i forgot last night.... im gonna wait an hour and give another 

[celticinorlando]

boston needs to rock the nets world like it is prom night tonight

[indyceltic]

Hopefully they talk to the Lopez twin because he is a clown. 



IndyCeltic

[Chief]

Is Scals going to start tonight or was that "situational" defense just a lie?

[butterbeanlove]

Bennett Salvatore AND Violet Palmer?   

[xmuscularghandix]

haha its like scal is the focus point of the offense.

[ManUp]

Scals looking like a true Nba player right now.

The Celtics are playing with confidence.

[jdpapa3]

Pierce gets hammered and no call and then they call a touch foul on the next play on Rajon? This is why Violet Palmer can't be an nba ref. How does she pass any evaluation program???