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Boston Celtics (33-18) at Lakers (42-13)
February 17
10:30 PM ET
Game #52, Road Game #28
TV: TNT
Staples Center
Probable Starting Matchups 
vs
Rajon Rondo 14.1 PPG 9.6 APG 2.5 SPG
Derek Fisher 7.3 PPG 2.5 APG 1.1 SPG
vs
Ray Allen 16.0 PPG 2.7 APG .333 3P%
Kobe Bryant 28.0 PPG 4.64 APG .327 3P%
(or Shannon Brown 8.2 PPG 1.3 APG .7 SPG)
vs
Paul Pierce 18.6 PPG 4.7 RPG 3.3 APG
Ron Artest 11.7 PPG 4.4 RPG 3.2 APG
vs
Kevin Garnett 14.2 PPG 7.4 RPG .8 BPG
Pau Gasol 17.1 PPG 11.2 RPG 1.8 BPG
vs
Kendrick Perkins 11.1 PPG 8.40 RPG 1.8 BPG
Andrew Bynum 15.2 PPG 8.2 RPG 1.5 BPG
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 28.3
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 226ReservesMarquis Daniels
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Brian Scalabrine
Bill Walker
Rasheed Wallace
Shelden Williams
Injuries:JR Giddens (knee) out
Possibly Involved in Trade
Eddie House
Nate Robinson
Coach: Phil Jackson
Average Age: 27.6
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 228ReservesLamar Odom
Sasha Vujacic
Josh Powell
Jordan Farmar
DJ Mbenga
Adam Morrison
Shannon Brown
Injuries Kobe Bryant (ankle) doubtful
Andrew Bynum (hip) probable
Luke Walton (back) out
Team ConnectionsLakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 24th pick in the 1988 Draft
Ron Artest and Shelden Williams were teammates in Sacramento during the 2007-08 season
Marquis Daniels was teammates with DJ Mbenga in Dallas from 2004-06
Josh Powell and Marquis Daniels were teammates in Dallas during the 2005-06 season and in Indiana during the 2006-07 season.
Key Matchups 
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Derek Fisher
The Lakers have been shopping Fisher because of his inability to stop younger PG's. Rondo must be aggressive in this game and exploit that weakness. On the other side of it, Fisher is capable of hitting big shots and Rondo must play tough defense to keep Fisher from getting hot.
vs
Kendrick Perkins vs Andrew Bynum
Perk and Bynum are both centers who love to bang in the paint. For the Lakers, Bynum gives them a little muscle inside to help counteract their soft image. Perk has been struggling recently since KG's return and the Celtics will need a strong game defensively from him in order to keep the Lakers out of the paint.
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Pau Gasol
There is no denying that KG hasn't looked quite himself since coming back from the injury. His shot was blocked several times against the Kings and he has also lost a step defensively. Gasol is playing very well and the Celtics need the tough defensive KG back. KG has got to bring his A game on defense in this one.
Game Notes The Lakers are currently leading the season series 1-0; The Lakers won the season series 2-0 against Boston in the 2008-09 season
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20.5 points per game last season against the Lakers…he also averaged a team-high 9.0 rebounds per game
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with an average of 26.5 points per game
The Celtics are 4-11 against the Lakers since the 2004-05 season
The Celtics are leading the all-time series 151-120 with the Celtics 77-45 at home
The Celtics began their post All Star break road trip off to a good start with a win over the Kings. But, the team still struggled in spite of getting the win. They must play better against the Lakers if they expect to get a win.
There are questions all over the place surrounding this game. The trade deadline is at 3:00 PM and with both teams actively trying to make a trade and it is hard to tell who will be on the teams and who won't. Trades could affect the chemistry of either team. Another question is whether or not Kobe will play. Lakers are saying that he will be a game time decision. Personally I can't see him not playing in this game but if his ankle is indeed still too weak to play then Shannon Brown will get the start in his place.
The still have to be stinging from Kobe's last second shot that beat them in the Garden. If there is one game this season that the Celtics should be motivated for, it is this one. Let's hope that they have put the trade rumors and uncertainty behind them and bring their A game in this one. Anything less will result in yet another loss.
Keys to the Game Defense - Both in the Paint and on the Perimeter The Celtics must get their defensive focus and trust back and play the team defense that has made them so tough to beat in the past. Recently we have seen this defense in spurts, but the Celtics must get back to playing solid defense for 48 minutes.
Rebound - Rebounding is effort and desire and the Celtics have been showing neither as they have repeatedly allowed teams to out rebound them. The Celtics need to put out more effort and crash the boards to prevent the Lakers from getting second chance points and fast breaks off the rebounds.
Keep their Focus The Celtics have to come out strong and stay focused for 48 minutes. They can't play in spurts and expect to win against the top teams. The Starters must especially get their cohesion and focus back.
X-Factor Focus
Can the Celtics regain their focus and get back to playing as a championship caliber team?
Topic: Celtics (33-18) at Lakers (42-13) 2/18 (Read 107599 times)