Boston Heads to DC for the First of a Home and Home

by Fafnir on Jan 1, 2012 4:20 PM EST in Boston Celtics Games

Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards, Jan 1, 2012 6:00 PM EST

Boston Celtics (1-3) at Washington Wizards (0-3)

Sunday, January 1

6:00 PM ET

Regular Season Game #5, Road Game #4

TV: CSN-NE, Comcast Sportsnet, NBA-TV, NBAC

Radio: WEEI, WJFK

Verizon Center

Game Thread | Chat Room

On New Year's Day the C's face the Washington Wizards in the first game of a home and home series. The Wizards are still searching for their first win, while the C's are looking to have their first winning streak of the season. With the Captain back in the line up everyone on the team is in a more comfortable role and the C's need to take care of a young lottery team like the Wizards. In my view this first game is doubly important for the veteran C's, the last few years they've been a poor team on the second night of back to backs.

Thoughts on the game and lineups after the jump.

The Wizards have been particularly dreadful on offense, their leading scorers are Nick Young, Jordan Crawford, and John Wall who are shooting 42% 42% and 27% respectively from the field. That won't get it done in the NBA. The C's need to take advantage of this limited offense and tighten down and get their defense right. Another area the C's should be able to take advantage of the Wizards is on the glass, they have one above average rebounder in JaVale McGee after that they're vulnerable on the glass.

Matchup to Watch:

Rajon Rondo versus John Wall

Rondo had two gangbuster scoring games to start out the season that reflected his aggressive play, unfortunately that same aggression showed up in the TO column of the box score. With Pierce's return he seemed to reign that in against the Pistons. Will he step it up against last year's number one overall pick John Wall?

For his part John Wall's play has been very disappointing, he's shooting only 27% from the field and has seen his rebounds and assists dip much lower and his turnovers increase. Rajon Rondo is one of the best defensive point guards in the league, can Wall get his game going against that quality of opponent?

Boston Starters

Rajon Rondo

Ray Allen

Paul Pierce

Kevin Garnett

Jermaine O'Neal

Boston Reserves

E'Twaun Moore

Greg Steimsma

Injured

Chris Wilcox (shoulder) out

Mickael Pietrus (knee) out

Wizards Starters

John Wall

Nick Young

Rashard Lewis

Andary Blatche

JaVale McGee

Wizards Bench
Tevor Booker
Jordan Crawford
Shelvin Mack
Roger Mason
Hamedy Ndiaye
Kevin Seraphin
Chris Singleton
Ronny Turiaf

Injured
Jan Vesely (hip) day to day
Maurice Evans (knee) day to day

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Comments

The only player that particularly concerns me is McGee. I know Jermaine looked better last game and if he can repeat a similar performance, I think the Celtics can handle this easily.

And 27%? Talk about a sophomore slump!

Twitter.com/HavlicekSteals

by HavlicekSteals on Jan 1, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions

don't

forget their over-paid SF. He can still shoot those 3s. I hope the rookies get more playing time.

by elvyn on Jan 1, 2012 4:40 PM EST reply actions

sooo overpaid

by Fnordesque on Jan 1, 2012 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

I'm just glad that they have to travel too

The C’s have always had issues with back to back games, but at least this time the other team has the same exact schedule.

I’d be perfectly fine with Rondo playing a more conservative game again on offense. Help get Pierce back into the groove and focus on forcing John Wall into bad shots. He seems more than willing to take them. Plus a lack of sloppy TOs would be a welcome sight.

by Aluminum Penguin on Jan 1, 2012 4:46 PM EST reply actions