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Boston Celtics (14-26) at Denver Nuggets (18-24)
Friday, January 23, 2015
9:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #41 Road Game #19
TV: CSNNE, Altitude, NBA-LP 763(DTV), 758(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 104.3 FM
Pepsi Center
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
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Evan Turner vs Ty Lawson
Shooting Guard 
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Avery Bradley vs Arron Afflalo
Small Forward 
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Jae Crowder vs Wilson Chandler
Power Forward 
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Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried
Center
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Jared Sullinger vs Jusuf Nurkic
Celtics ReservesPhil Pressey
Tyler Zeller
Gerald Wallace
Marcus Smart
Marcus Thornton
Tayshaun Prince
Shavlik Randolph
InjuriesJames Young (illness) questionable
Kelly Olynyk (ankle) questionable
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Nuggets ReservesDarrell Arthur
Randy Foye
Alonzo Gee
Erick Green
Gary Harris
JJ Hickson
Jameer Nelson
Injuries Danilo Gallinari (meniscus) probable
Kenneth Faried (flu) questionable
Javale McGee (leg) questionable
CoachBrian Shaw
Game Notes The Celtics come into Denver on the back end of a back to back set after playing in Portland on Thursday night. This is the first of two meetings between these two teams. They will meet in Boston on February 4 to finish the season series.
The Nuggets have won 9 of the last 10 games between these two teams in Denver while the Celtics have won 14 of the last 16 in Boston. These two teams have been fairly evenly matched over the last few years. Since the 2002-03 season, the series is 12-11 in favor of Denver.
The Nuggets are coached by former Celtic Brian Shaw. Shaw was the 24th pick by the Celtics in the 1988 draft. He averaged 10.2 points and 5.9 assists for the Celtics from 1988 through 1992.
The Nuggets and Celtics are close offensively. The Celtics average 102.1 points per game while the Nuggets average 101.7 points per game. They also are close in the number of points they allow. The Nuggets are 4th in the league, allowing 104.4 points per game while the Celtics are 5th, allowing 104.2 points per game. The Nuggets are a good rebounding team, however, averaging 45.7 rebounds per game, good for 4th in the league.
Brad Stevens shook up the starting lineup on Thursday, starting Brandon Bass instead of Tyler Zeller. The Celtics started off much better and had a nice first half and so it's possible he will keep the game starting group for this one. Or, he may change it up some more. Faried is questionable for the Nuggets with the flu, which may change the starting lineup for them.
Key Matchups vs
Evan Turner vs Ty Lawson
Lawson is averaging 16.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 9.9 assists and slowing him down will be key to keeping the Nuggets from getting into their offense quickly. We will probably see Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart on him for parts of the game as well.
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Brandon Bass vs Kenneth Faried
Faried has a motor that doesn't quit. He reminds me of Jae Crowder in some ways. He is averaging 11.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. The Celtics need to keep him off the boards.
Keys to the GameDefense - 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.
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 and playing in back to back games on the road, their legs may not be there for a lot of long jumpers.
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.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics have struggled with playing for the entire 48 minutes in many games this season. They have to come out strong and avoid the lapses in the middle where they turn the ball over and miss their shots. And then, they have to close the game out strong.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be the more aggressive team. They have to fight for loose balls, defend aggressively, be aggressive in driving to the basket, and just play harder for the entire game.
X-Factors
Fatigue and Thin Air The Celtics are playing in back to back games and also had to travel after playing the game on Thursday. Fatigue could be a problem down the stretch.
The Nuggets have a home court advantage in that they are used to the thin air in Denver while visiting teams are not. Hopefully it won't affect the Celtics too much. But they have lost 9 of the last 10 games in Denver, so maybe it will be a factor.
Topic: Celtics (14-26) at Nuggets (18-24) Game #41 1/23/15 (Read 39686 times)