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Philadelphia 76ers (11-39) at Boston Celtics (18-30)
Regular Season Game #49, Home Game #26
Friday, February 6, 2015
7:30 PM ET
TV: CSNNE, CSN-PHI, NBA-LP 758(DTV)/756 (Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 The Fanatic
TD Garden
Probable Starters
PG Marcus Smart....... SG: Avery Bradley
C: Jared Sullinger (if he's not late again)
SF: Evan Turner ....... PF: Brandon Bass
Celtics ReservesTyler Zeller
Gerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
Marcus Thornton
Tayshaun Prince
James Young
InjuriesKelly Olynyk (ankle) out
Shavlik Randolph (hamstring) out
Evan Turner (thumb) probable
Avery Bradley (thumb) probable
Tayshaun Prince (hip) day to day
Red Claws Andre Dawkins
Phil Pressey
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters
PG: JaKarr Sampson.................. SG: Michael Carter-Williams
C: Nerlens Noel
SG: Robert Covington ........... PF: Luc Mbah a Moute
Sixers ReservesHollis Thompson
Jerami Grant
Henry Sims
Tony Wroten
KJ McDaniels
Larry Drew
Furkan Aldemir
Malcolm Thomas
InjuriesJoel Embiid (back) out
Jason Richardson (knee) out
Tony Wroten (knee) out
Andrei Kirilenko (suspended) out
Game NotesThe Celtics and the Sixers meet for the 2nd of 4 games. The Celtics won the first game in Philly 101-90 and the second game, also in Philly, 105-87. They will meet once more in Boston on March 16.
The Sixers are ahead of the last place Knicks by half a game and they have been playing better recently. They have won 3 of their last 5 games and have won 3 straight at home. However, they have lost their last 7 games on the road.
The Celtics are 2.5 games out of the 8th and final playoff spot and are 8.5 games ahead of the Knicks for the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are looking to win their 3rd straight game while the Sixers are looking for their 2nd straight win.
Key Matchups vs
Avery Bradley vs Michael Carter-Williams
Williams is the Sixers leading scorer at 15 points per game. He also is averaging 6.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.46 steals. Bradley will need to slow him down as well as make him work on the defensive end.
vs
Jared Sullinger vs Nerlens Noel
Assuming that Sully makes it to the shoot around on time, he will probably start against Noel who is averaging 8.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.72 blocks per game. Noel has a height advantage on Sully, but Sully has a bulk advantage on Noel. Should be an interesting matchup to watch.
Keys to the GameDefense - Defense is key to winning. Defense wins games pure and simple. The Celtics have struggled on the defensive end but in the last couple of games, they have picked up the defensive intensity. They have to continue to play tough team defense in this game.
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.
Pace and Space - The Celtics must set the pace and run on every possession from start to finish. They need to get off to a fast start and then continue to run and keep the pace up throughout the game.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics need to be the more aggressive team. They must be the first to loose balls and rebounds, and they have to be aggressive in driving to the basket and not always settling for jumpers. They must be aggressive on defense and set the tone for the game.
Go to the Hoops - The Celtics need to take the ball to the hoop and not settle for outside shots, especially if those shots aren't falling. Sully especially is more effective when he plays more in the paint.
X-Factors
Home and Focus The Celtics are at home once again and should get a boost from the home crowd. They can't afford to lose focus and take the Sixers for granted because they have been playing better recently and the Sixers could surprise the Celtics if they take them too lightly.
Topic: Sixers (11-39) at Celtics (18-30) Game #49 2/6/15 (Read 41632 times)