Boston Celtics @ New Jersey Nets Preview
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
IZOD Center – East Rutherford, NJ
7:30 PM ET Tip
First things first, anything less than a win in this game would be embarassing. I don’t care (well I do) if New Jersey takes us down to the wire so long as at the end of the night the Celtics have 1 more win on their side. The Nets have lost 5 of their last 6 and 15 of their last 16 on way to a 3-34 record. New Jersey will not walk out onto the floor tonight and roll over, however. Already knowing their playoff chances are shot, they will be looking for moral victories and taking down one of the top teams in the league is just that. For the Celtics they need to get back on track after losing 2 of their last 3. With the C’s 26-10 record they will look to keep pace with the Cavs and Lakers for what is becoming a good battle for the best record in the league.
Celtics Probable Starters:
PG: SG: SF: PF: C:
At the power forward position, your guess is as good as mine. Last year Big Baby proved he could get it done in the playoffs and Scal was the first person off the bench. Then this year when both Sheed and KG went down, Scal was in the starting linup against the Hawks. I would think the Celtics would want a more versatile player coming off the bench in Glen Davis, who is also still on his way back from his injury, while putting in a one-dimensional offensive player in with the starters. Scal also plays good D and they may want that with him on Yi, although both players will give up some height. We will see come gametime who gets the start.
Nets Probable Starters:
PG: SG: SF: PF: C:
Devin Harris sat out the game against the Spurs with tendintis, but said, “It’s sore.” And as to when he would return: “I’m going to try to Wednesday [against Boston].” (Via American Chronicle) The Nets throw out their twin tower look to start the game as both Yi and Lopez are 7 footers. For this lineup, Brooke Lopez is really the guy the C’s need to keep an eye on. He is nearly averaging a double-double and was what kept the Nets in the game the first time these two played back in November.
Key Matchup: Rajon Rondo vs. Devin Harris
Quite simply put, this has the feeling of a matchup that Rondo may take the night off in. The team the Celtics are playing stink, and the opposing point guard is not seen as being one of the most elite in the game. Devin Harris is a scorer, though, and if Rondo takes the night off he will, and has the capability to, score in the mid 20’s. Harris has always been a score first point guard, and he does his work in the lane and around the rim, so Rondo will have to stay in front of him.
This is a must win for the Celtics without question. They need to begin winning the games they should win if they want to stay atop the East. It starts in New Jersey tonight, and then they have a favorable schedule for the next week which allows them to play some tough games at home. Hopefully they can settle back down and get into a groove with tonights game and tomorrow nights game. Tomorrow night they will be coming back home to play the Chicago Bulls on TNT.
All Player Photos are Via NBA Yahoo Sports