Nets (32-45) at Celtics (58-19) 4/8

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
New Jersey Nets (32-45) at Boston Celtics (58-19)
Wednesday, April 8
7:30 PM ET
Game #78, Home Game #39
TV:  CSN HD, WWOR, NBA LP 754
TD Banknorth Garden


ProbableStarting Matchups
Point Guard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Devin Harris

Shooting Guard 
  vs 
Ray Allen vs Keyon Dooling

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Vince Carter 

Power Forward
  vs 
Glen Davis vs Ryan Anderson

Center
  vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Brook Lopez




Reserves
Eddie House
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
Mikki Moore
Stephon Marbury
Tony Allen

Injuries:
Kevin Garnett (knee) out
Brian Scalabrine (neck/head)  out
Leon Powe (knee) out
Rajon Rondo (ankle) probable 


Reserves
Josh Boone
Chris Douglas-Roberts
Jarvis Hayes
Maurice Ager
Sean Williams
Bobby Simmons
Ryan Anderson
Trenton Hassell
Yi Jianlian

Injuries
Eduardo Najera (ab strain)  out

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo  vs  Devin Harris     
Rondo has held his own vs Harris in their three meetings so far this season.  Rondo tweaked his ankle in practice on Monday so may not be 100% in this game.  We may see more Marbury vs Harris if Rondo needs to rest his ankles.   

  vs 
Paul Pierce  vs  Vince Carter
When the Celtics last faced the Nets, Carter was playing shooting guard but has since moved to the small forward position.  Paul Pierce enjoys these tough matchups and I expect a big game from him on both ends of the court.       

Honorable Mention
Kendrick Perkins vs Brook Lopez 
Perk will have his hands full with Brook Lopez who has been playing very well this season. Lopez has the size advantage and Perk has an experience and strength advantage. 

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

Game Notes
The Celtics lead the series 3-0 going into this 4th and final games between these divisional rivals.  The Nets have been eliminated from playoff contention but would love to play the spoiler for the Celtics who are just 1/2 game ahead of Orlando for the 2nd spot in the East. 

The Celtics are 32-6 at home while the Nets are 15-23 on the road.   The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have won 4 in a row.  The Nets are 4-6 in their last 10 games and are coming off a 96-67 win over the 76ers. 

Keys to the Game
Move the Ball    The Celtics play best when they move the ball and make that extra pass to find the open man.  When the ball stops moving, the offense is out of sync and they struggle to score.  On the other hand, when the ball is moving, they are very hard to stop. 

Defense   The Celtics' success has come from their intensity on the defensive end.  They lose some of that defensive intensity without KG, but even without him, they need to focus on what won them the title, and that is playing lock down defense. 

Limit Turnovers  Turnovers have been the Celtics Achilles heel this season and they have to work on limiting their turnovers as they work up to playoff shape. 

X-Factor
Rest vs Rust
The Celtics have been off since Friday night and while they will be well rested, they may very well be rusty as well.  Hopefully they will be able to get back into the flow of the game and shake off any rust quickly.

[Atzar]

TP FL.

[Celtics1990]

It seems like ages since the last C's game. Can't wait for this one tomorrow.

TP for FL as well. (Just realized that rhymed). 

[Reggie's Ghost]

Why the hell would they play Rondo in this game, he just re-tweaked his ankle. 

[celtsaddict5]

Why the hell would they play Rondo in this game, he just re-tweaked his ankle. 

I was thinking the same thing.  Even if it is not serious, why would you risk it?

[celticinorlando]

Doc said the ankle wasn't a big deal...it was at the end of practice and they just set him out for the rest....they need rondo...they could go up 2 games with a win over orlando...

[Redz]

Seems like they've been off for a month (unfortunately for KG they haven't)

I'm READY!

[Cman]

Sorry Nets fans (cuz I know you like to troll here  ) -- but you gonna lose baaaad Weds night!

[ACF]

TP FL.

[lon3lytoaster]

Rondo for the triple-double, Celtics blowout.

[Atzar]

Rondo for the triple-double, Celtics blowout.

I hope so - that would mean this ankle injury really isn't a big deal.

[greenwise]

I would give Marbury heavy minutes tonight and try to rest Rondo a little.

Let's get #59th win!!!!!

by the way, Cavs and Magic play tonight too...too bad Memphis is not really a menace to Orlando

[JBcat]

I have second row seats tonight and never sat that close for a game.  Can't wait!  TP FL!

[Drucci]

I have second row seats tonight and never sat that close for a game.  Can't wait!  TP FL!

I hope you'll enjoy the game!

TP FL, I'm expecting a blowout which will allow the startes to get some extented rest. Beware of the rust at the beginning of the game, though!

[jdpapa3]

I have second row seats tonight and never sat that close for a game.  Can't wait!  TP FL!

That's awesome. Sat second row under the baseline earlier this  year and will never forget it. You'll love it.

Nets have some talent so you can't sleep on them. I think Harris called himself and the other starters out for not trying recently and they played well the game after that. Teams like this sometimes like to rally into the offseason so they can have hope. Let's squash their hopes early in this one and get Sky Walker in there. Want Pierce, Ray , and Rondo to get even more rest. The 5 days weren't enough!