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Detroit Pistons (0-2) at Boston Celtics (0-3)
Friday, December 30
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #4 – Home Game #1
TV: CSNNE, FSD, NBA-LP 755/756 (DTV)
Radio: WEEI, WDFN, 97.1 FM The Ticket
TD GardenProbable Starters PGSGSFPFCRajon Rondo.... Ray Allen.... Paul Pierce.....Kevin Garnett.... Jermaine O'Neal
Celtics ReservesMarquis Daniels
Sasha Pavlovic
Greg Steimsma
Brandon Bass
JaJuan Johnson
E'Twaun Moore
Keyon Dooling
Injuries
Paul Pierce (heel) day to day
Chris Wilcox (shoulder) day to day
Mickael Pietrus (knee) out
Probable Starters PG
SG
SF
PF
C
Rodney Stuckey...Ben Gordon...Tayshaun Prince...Jonas Jerebko..Greg Monroe
Pistons Bench Ben Wallace
Jason Maxiell
Brandon Knight
Austin Daye
Damien Wilkins
Vernon Macklin
Will Bynum
Injuries None
SuspensionsCharlie Villanueva
Team ConnectionsBen Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and Ray Allen all attended the University of Connecticut
Tayshaun Prince, Brandon Knight and Rajon Rondo attended the University of Kentucky
Pistons Head Coach Lawrence Frank was an assistant coach with the Celtics during the 2010‐11 season
Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2007‐09
Pistons Assistant Coach Roy Rogers played for the Celtics during the 1997‐98 season and was an assistant coach during the 2010‐11 season.
Chris Wilcox played for the Pistons from 2009-11.
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Rodney Stuckey
Rondo has been very aggressive so far in leading the Celtics. Stuckey is a good point guard, but Rondo should be able to get around him and continue his aggressive play.
vs
Ray Allen vs Ben Gordon
This will be a battle of two scorers. Ray has been shooting well so far this season as has Gordon. Ray won't have Rip Hamilton to chase him all over the court but Gordon, with younger legs could cause him some problems.
Honorable MentionPaul Pierce (or Sasha Pavlovic) vs Tayshaun Prince
Prince, like the Celtics starters has lost a step or two but he is still a very good veteran player and has always been able to defend Pierce well with his length.
Game NotesThe Celtics finally are playing at home after a 3 game road trip to open the season. The games on the road didn't go so well and the Celtics come home facing a must win game to avoid going down 0-4. The Celtics are facing Lawrence Frank's Pistons who are also winless on the season so far.
I'm hoping that Paul Pierce will be able to play in this one and have put him into the starting lineup as wishful thinking but chances are, we may see Sasha Pavlovic in the starting lineup once again. The Pistons will be missing Charlie Villanueva who is suspended for the first 3 games of the season for an altercation with Ryan Hollins last season in which Villanueva escalated the fight by going into the Cavs locker room after Hollins after the game. KG will have to find someone else to taunt.
Keys to the Game Defense - The Celtics problems have begun on the defensive end. We haven't seen any of that trademark lock down defense so far and the Celtics have got to find that defensive intensity once again.
Rebound - The Celtics need to be more aggressive on the boards. Rebounding is effort and if the Celtics are putting the effort out to grab rebounds then that effort will translate to the other areas of their game.
Limit Turnovers - The Celtics have been very sloppy with their passes and have been turning the ball over too much. They have to take better care of the basketball.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have played well in spurts to come back from big deficits but they have to play well for 48 minutes. They need to get off to a better start and then not let up until the final buzzer.
X-Factors Home Court and OfficiatingHopefully getting back on the parquet and in front of their fans will get the Celtics back to their winning ways. The cheers of the crowd and the friendly confines of the garden may be just what they need.
The officiating has been terrible in all 3 games so far. The league announced that they overturned two of the technicals that were assessed to the Celtics in the 2 point loss the the Knicks on opening day. The officials have been horrible so far with most of the bad calls going against the Celtics at crucial times. Maybe the refs will give the Celtics a break now that they are at home.