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Boston Celtics (3-6) at Philadelphia 76ers (0-10)
Regular Season Game #10, Road Game #4
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
7:00 PM ET
TV: CSNNE, CSN-PHI, NBA-LP 754(DTV)/751 (Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 The Fanatic
Wells Fargo Center
Probable Starters 
PG Rajon Rondo....... SG: Avery Bradley
C: Kelly Olynyk
SG: Jeff Green ....... PF: Jared Sullinger
Celtics ReservesPhil Pressey
Evan Turner
Marcus Thornton
Brandon Bass
Dwight Powell
Tyler Zeller
James Young
Gerald Wallace
InjuriesVitor Faverani (knee) out
Marcus Smart (ankle) out
Probable Starters 
PG: Tony Wroten ................... SG: Hollis Thompson
C: Henry Sims
SG: Luc Mbah a Moute ........... PF: Nerlens Noel
Sixers ReservesMichael Carter Williams
Alexy Shved
KJ McDaniels
Robert Covington
JaKarr Sampson
Drew Gordon
Jerami Grant
Injuries Joel Embiid (foot) out
Jerami Grant (ankle) out
Jason Richardson (knee) out
Game NotesIf any team can get the Celtics back on track, it would have to be the winless Sixers who have taken tanking to a whole new level. Nevertheless, last season, when they were also tanking, they were able to beat the Celtics 3 out of 4 times. Hopefully the Celtics won't be overconfident because of their record and underestimate them.
The Sixers have come close to getting their first win in their last two home games, losing them by a combined 5 points. They lost to the Magic by 2 points and the Bulls by 3 in their last two home games. They were also just one point shy of a win against the Rockets on the road. So, the Celtics can't take a win here for granted.
The Celtics defense has been problematic for them in their losses. They are allowing teams to score 109.4 (3rd in the league on 48.3 percent shooting (4th) They are even worse than the 76ers, who are allowing 105.4 points (6th) and 46.4% (8th). So, as bad as the Sixers have been, they are better on defense than the Celtics.
The Sixers, however, have been dismal on offense, averaging a league worst 88.5 points per game. In spite of their defensive struggles, the Celtics are averaging 107.4 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the league.
This will be the third meeting for these two teams this season. The Celtics beat the Sixers 111-91 and 98-78 in two games in the preseason. They will meet 3 more times this season after this game.
Key Matchups vs
Rajon Rondo vs Tony Wroten
Wroten is averaging 19.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Rondo will be looking to bounce back with a good game after struggling down the stretch of his past two games. This should be a good matchup.
vs
Evan Turner vs Michael Carter Williams
Last year's rookie of the year is coming off the bench for Philly this season and will more than likely be matched up with Evan Turner off of the Celtics bench. He is averaging 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.
Keys to the Game Take Care of the Ball - The Celtics have gone through periods where they turn the ball over several times in a row. They had a very costly turnover that may have cost them the game in their last loss. They are averaging 15 turnovers a game, which is too many. The Sixers lead the league in steals per game with 9.8 per game and so they have to focus on their passes and ball handling or the Sixers will make them pay.
Defense - Defense is key to winning. Defense wins games pure and simple. Unfortunately this has been where the Celtics have struggled the most, allowing teams to score 109.4 points, which is 3rd worst in the league. They have to somehow figure out a way to get stops, especially late in games.
Rebound - The Celtics have to crash the boards in order to give themselves extra possessions as well as to prevent the Sixers from getting second chance points and fast breaks.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have had lapses in each of their losses. They have either fallen behind and then had to catch up or got off to a big lead and then let up and lost it. They have to focus and play hard from the opening tip until the final buzzer with no let up!
X-Factors Road Game and OverconfidenceThe Celtics will be on the road and as stated above, the Sixers have come very close to winning their last two home games. If the Celtics come in overconfident and take the Sixers for granted they could come away with a 4 game losing streak.
Topic: Celtics (3-6) at Sixers (0-10) Game #10 11/19/14 (Read 36234 times)