Celtics (1-4) at Nets (3-0) 10/18

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (1-4) at Brooklyn Nets (3-0)
Thursday, October 18, 2012
8:00 PM ET
Preseason Game #6, Road Game #4
TV:  TNT, CSNNE
Barclays Center



Probable Starters
PG  SG  SF  PF  C
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG:  Courtney Lee
SF:  Paul Pierce
PF:  Brandon Bass
C:   Kevin Garnett

Celtics Reserves
Jared Sullinger
Jason Collins
Micah Downs
Jeff Green
Kris Joseph
Rob Kurz
Jason Terry
Fab Melo
Leandro Barbosa

Injuries
Chris Wilcox (back) day to day
Avery Bradley (shoulders) out 
Darko Milicic  (wrist) questionable




Probable Starters
PG SG SF PF C
PG: Deron Williams
SG:  Joe Johnson
SF:  Gerald Wallace
PF:  Kris Humphries
C:   Brook Lopez

Nets Reserves
Keith Bogans
CJ Watson
Andre Blatche
Josh Childress
Mirza Teletovic
Carleton Scott
Reggie Evans
MarShon Brooks
Stephen Dennis
James Mays
Tomike Shengelia
Jerry  Stackhouse
Tyshaun Taylor
Jerry Stackhouse

Injuries
Tyshawn Taylor (quad)  out
MarShon Brooks (foot)  out

Game Notes
The Celtics and Nets square off for the second time in 3 nights.  The first game between these two resulted in a 97-96 Celtics loss. The Nets sat all of their starters while the Celtics played their full squad.  But a unit of Kris Joseph, Fab Melo, Micah Downs, Rob Kurz and Jason Collins lost a 9 point lead in the final minutes to give the Nets a win.  I can honestly say we probably will never see that lineup on the court again. 

I expect both teams to play their starters.  The Nets are at home and the Celtics have just 2 more preseason games  after this one to tune up the lineups.  Since Doc hasn't started the same unit twice, it's hard to tell who will be in the starting lineup for this one.  I'm thinking it will be the traditional starting lineup with Lee at SG.  The Celtics will get to see the new look Nets starting lineup of Williams, Johnson, Wallace, Humphries, and Lopez. 

This will be the first time ever for the Celtics to play in the brand new Barclays Center, which will be the home of the Nets from now on.  This will be the Nets' second game in their new home.  The Celtics had cut two players just before Tuesday's game.  They have just added another player in Leandro Barbosa, but I'm not sure if he will be in uniform and available for the game.  Darko is expected to miss this game with the wrist injury.

The Celtics still have much to work on before the season starts, and with just 2 games after this one, it seems like a good time to get serious with the rotations and leave the experimentation  behind.  Hopefully they can lower their turnovers and finally get their pick and roll defense to work. 

Keys to the Game
Defend the Pick and Roll
Limit turnovers
Develop chemistry in both units
Fill given roles

[Eddie20]

Nice to see Barbosa's name on the roster. I know it's a longshot, but I hope he plays.

[lon3lytoaster]

Not sure if I love or hate the Barclays center yet. I've heard you need to see it in person to appreciate it. I'll be in NYC next month so I guess I'll see then.

And Jerry Stackhouse isn't fossil fuel yet? Weird.

[j804]

This should be a nice competitive game even though its preseason. Rondo always gets up for D Will.

[Who]

I am really looking forward to seeing what Brook Lopez can do this season.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I am really looking forward to seeing what Brook Lopez can do this season.

I more looking forward seeing my boy @DrayBaltche, The man is proving a lot of people wrong right now. Funny how a non guaranteed contract will make some players realize what they can lose and straighten things up.

I wanted him here...

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

Man, should have scooped up those $9 tickets a few days ago. Prices have gone up. Hopefully scalpers have found their way to The Barclays.

[MJohnnyboy]

I just want to see if Barbosa is going to play. Wanna see what he's made of.

[ACF]

TP once again, FL. It's only the preseason but let's get this W, we need it.

Go Celtics!

[heitingas]

Barbosa is not playing tonight.

A. Sherrod Blakely
 ‏@SherrodbCSN 5h @kimoxxx No. Barbosa deal with the #Celtics not finalized yet.

[butterbeanlove]

Donnie Marshall just said on the pre-game show (verbatim, I rewinded it):

Tanguay: "Doc is giving a lot of leeway to Rondo. He's letting him run with it."

Marshall: "Yeah, I'm sorry, people at home, it almost feels like he was waiting for Ray to leave to say, Rondo, here you go. It really is starting to feel like that, but I feel like he is really relinquishing too much of that power to ROndo.

"You've got KG, you've got Paul, six years in? He's still giving Rondo a lot of power very early here. Let's pay attention to that."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SIX YEARS IN?

OK, maybe he's just bitter that Scal is easing him out of town, but let's just cut the cord right now with this clown.

[JoT]

Donnie Marshall just said on the pre-game show (verbatim, I rewinded it):

Tanguay: "Doc is giving a lot of leeway to Rondo. He's letting him run with it."

Marshall: "Yeah, I'm sorry, people at home, it almost feels like he was waiting for Ray to leave to say, Rondo, here you go. It really is starting to feel like that, but I feel like he is really relinquishing too much of that power to ROndo.

"You've got KG, you've got Paul, six years in? He's still giving Rondo a lot of power very early here. Let's pay attention to that."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SIX YEARS IN?

OK, maybe he's just bitter that Scal is easing him out of town, but let's just cut the cord right now with this clown.

I don't have CSNNE (I don't live in Boston), but didn't someone else state that Donny always bring up Ray. I promise I laughed hard at this comment when I read it.

[LEHGOCELTICS]

WE BE KILLIN' this Scrubby and over-hyped Nets team. Our defense looking superb so far, even though it's just the early stages of the game. Pierce looks to be in impeccable shape.

[Rondo2287]

Awesome start!

[Rondo2287]

I will say, the Brooklyn black uniforms are pretty nice