C's Seek 10th Straight

Wednesday, March 12
7:30 PM ET
TV: CSN
TD BankNorth Garden

Chat  |  Game Thread

The Celtics will attempt to complete their first 10-game winning streak of the season tonight, as they will host the young and athletic Seattle Sonics. The keys to Boston’s recent success are their tenacious defense, timely rotations, a high energy level, excellent ball movement, Kevin Garnett returning to form, and quite simply – Kendrick Perkins. Through five games in March thus far, the big fella’ has held averages of 11 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game. The C’s couldn’t be happier with his performance of late, especially after he posted stinkers all throughout the last Western Conference road trip.

Nothing has gone right for the Sonics or the fans of Seattle, however, since coming away with young phenom Kevin Durant this past June. Their beloved Sonics currently stand at 16-48, good for the fourth-worst record in the NBA, and have won just one of their last 10 outings. As rough as that may sound, that isn’t even close to the most unfortunate aspect of it all. It looks as though the franchise that has been supported by a loyal fan base for 41 years is on its way out of town, Oklahoma City-bound. David Stern’s plan of potentially expanding the league to Europe is frustrating enough, but this is just a shame. Furthermore, it’s a disgrace to the city of Seattle and the game of basketball in general.

In the meantime, they are still located in Seattle and they’ve still got games to play. Sympathy is due to the fans of Seattle off the court , but for these two and a half hours of play, let’s make sure they don’t stop weeping.

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Projected Starters

C Johan Petro / Kendrick Perkins
PF Chris Wilcox / Kevin Garnett
SF Jeff Green / Paul Pierce
SG Kevin Durant / Ray Allen
PG Earl Watson / Rajon Rondo

Key Matchup: Kevin Durant vs. Ray Allen

This is a very interesting matchup for Allen. Durant is long, lanky, athletic, and about 6’10’’. Granted, he rarely puts any of that on display, as he prefers to take a plethora of effortless and contested jumpers, but he can do some damage when he has that attack mindset. At the same time, however, Durant will have to cover Ray Allen. Defense is not Durant’s forte, and Allen could really do some damage against him off the dribble and running him ragged off screens.

Celtics X-Factor: Run Your Stuff

While no NBA team can be underestimated, the Celtics should be fine if they play their game at their pace and take care of the ball. Seattle is not the world’s greatest defensive team, let alone an adequate one, and the C’s should have their way with them if they attack and don’t settle.

Injury Report

SEA – Robert Swift (torn meniscus – out for season)
BOS – Scot Pollard (torn tendon in left ankle – out for season)

Celtics Keys to the Game

• Close Out On Shooters
• Own the Boards
• Attack