at
Denver Nuggets (11-7) at Boston Celtics (8-12)
Friday, December 6, 2013
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #21 Home Game #10
TV: CSNNE, Alt 2, ESPN
Radio: WBZ, 104.3 FM
TD Garden
Probable Starting Matchups Point Guard 
vs
Jordan Crawford vs Ty Lawson
Shooting Guard
vs
Avery Bradley vs Randy Foye
Small Forward 
vs
Jeff Green vs Wilson Chandler
Power Forward 
vs
Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried
Center 
vs
Jared Sullinger vs JJ Hickson
Celtics ReservesMarShon Brooks
Kris Humphries
Vitor Faverani
Phil Pressey
Gerald Wallace
Keith Bogans
Courtney Lee
InjuriesRajon Rondo (ACL)out
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) day to day
Nuggets Reserves Timofey Mosgov
Darrell Arthur
Nate Robinson
Andre Miller
Jordan Hamilton
Evan Fournier
Quincy Miller
Anthony Randolph
Injuries Danilo Gallinari (knee) out
JaVale McGee (leg) out
Game NotesThe Nuggets come into Boston for the 4th game of a 6 game trip. They will also come into this game angry from a 10 point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game.
The 11-7 Nuggets are 6th in the tough Western Conference and are 7-3 in their last 10 games. their last 10. The 8-12 are 4th in the not so tough Eastern Conference and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Nuggets are 5-5 away from the Pepsi Center while the Celtics are 4-5 at home.
The Celtics will need to up their transition defense in this game because the Nuggets will look to run at every opportunity. Hopefully the Celtics will benefit from two practices already this month after having just 6 practice days in all of November.
Key Matchups vs
Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried
Faried is quick and athletic and very much fun to watch. Brandon Bass will have his hands full trying to stay with him. Faried is averaging 10.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and has a motor that just doesn't quit.
vs
Jared Sullinger vs JJ Hickson
For once, Sully won't be at a big height disadvantage against the 6'9" Hickson, who is averaging 10.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
Keys to the Game Defense - Defense is the key to winning every game. Against the Nuggets, transition defense is especially important because the Nuggets will run them out of the building if they don't find a way to get stops.
Take Care of the Ball - At times the Celtics get very careless with the ball and turn the ball over way too much. When they do, they usually lose the game. They have to take care of the ball and limit their turnovers because a team like Denver will rack up the points off turnovers very quickly.
Go to the Hoop- The Celtics need to get the ball inside and not settle for outside shots, especially if they aren't falling. When they get into the paint, good things happen.
Run! - We know that the Nuggets will run and the Celtics also need to run to keep pace with them. The Celtics are much better when they push the ball and run and get their shots before the defense can set up.
X-Factors Home and Rest vs Road FatigueThe Celtics are home and have had 2 days off, including a day to practice. The Nuggets are in the middle of a 6 game road trip and have to be getting a bit of road fatigue. Will the Celtics be able to take advantage of it?
Topic: Nuggets (11-7) at Celtics (8-12) Game 21 12/6 (Read 48007 times)