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Boston Celtics (12-4) at Cleveland Cavaliers (7-9)
Tuesday, November 30
7:00 PM ET
Game #17, Away Game #9
TV: CSNNE, FSO, NBAC, NBA-TV
Radio: WTAM, WEEI
Quicken Loans Arena Probable Starters PGSGSFPFCRajon Rondo.......Ray Allen.......Paul Pierce.......Kevin Garnett...... Shaquille O'NealBoston Bench MobMarquis Daniels
Glen Davis
Luke Harangody
Nate Robinson
Von Wafer
Avery Bradley
Semih Erden
InjuredKendrick Perkins (knee) out
Jermaine O'Neal (knee) out
Delonte West (wrist) out
Probable StartersPGSGSFPFCMo Williams.....Anthony Parker.....Joey Graham.....JJ Hickson..... Anderson VarejaoCavaliers BenchDaniel Gibson
Ryan Hollins
Antawn Jamison
Manny Harris
Jawad Williams
Christian Eyenga
Jamario Moon
Leon Powe
Samardo Samuels
Ramon Sessions
InjuriesNone
Team ConnectionsDelonte West played for the Cavaliers from 2008-10.
Shaquille O’Neal played for the Cavaliers during the 2009-10 season
Leon Powe played for the Celtics from 2006-09
Joey Graham, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker and Jermaine O’Neal
were teammates in Toronto during the 2008-09 season
Cavs Coach Byron Scott and Shaquille O’Neal were teammates on the 1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers
Daniel Gibson and Avery Bradley both attended the University of Texas
Cavaliers Assistant Coach Paul Pressey was an assistant with Boston from 2004-06
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Mo Williams
This will be a good matchup between 2 all star point guards, one on the way up and the other on the way down. With LeBron gone, it will be up to Mo to up his scoring and it will be up to Rondo to be sure he doesn't. Williams is capable of burning the Celtics if they let up on defense. With one game back and 3 days off, Rondo should be good to go with no lingering effects from his hamstring injury.
vs
Shaquille O'Neal vs Anderson Varejao
Varejao plays with a lot of energy and could be a very tough matchup for Shaq. But Shaq also knows his game from playing against him in practice and that could give Shaq a slight advantage mentally.
Game Notes The first meeting between these two teams came on the second night of the season. The Celtics were playing in the second of back to back games, having won an emotional home opener against the Heat the night before. The Cavs were playing in their home opener and played with a lot of energy and fire while the Celtics came out flat and lacked intensity and focus throughout the game.
This is a much different situation. The Celtics have been off since Friday and should be well rested. The Cavs have also had a good rest, playing last on Saturday. This game is once again in Cleveland, but the emotional boost of the home opener and seeing the Heat fall in their season opener have worn off. The Celtics have won their last 3 games while the Cavs won beat the Grizzlies in their last game but are just 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Keys to the Game Focus - The Celtics have shown that when they come out focused and keep their intensity throughout the game, they win. Their losses have come when they lack focus and play without intensity.
Rebound - Rebounding is mostly desire and effort. When the Celtics put out the effort to out-rebound their opponents, they usually get the win. They have to make the effort to grab the rebounds to keep the Cavs from getting second chance points.
Defense - Defense is the key to every game. The Celtics won banner 17 with defense and if they want to win banner 18 they must once again do it with defense. They have played that kind of defense in spurts this season but must get back to making defense a priority.
Bench Play - The Celtics bench has been underachieving and in games like this where they are playing again the next night, the bench must come through with some good minutes in order to allow the starters some rest and not give the Cavs an advantage when the starters are resting.
X-FactorRevenge
The Cavs beat the Celtics once already this season. The Celtics' will be looking to avenge that loss and not allow the Cavs to win or tie the series between them.