@ 
(29-3)
Wednesday, January 9
7:30 PM ET
TV: CSN
TD BankNorth Garden
The last time these two clubs squared off, the ‘Cats gave the red-hot C’s a scare. They were seconds away from winning the game, but Jason Richardson’s sloppy inbounds pass resulted in a steal by Eddie House and a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer from none other than Ray Allen. Fortunately for Charlotte, Allen won’t be in uniform for tonight’s game, as he is taking the night off due to a pinched nerve that has subsequently numbed his shooting hand.
Charlotte looks a little different from the last time we saw them, as well. In a deal with Detroit, they brought in center Nazr Mohammed for the expiring contracts of Walter Herrmann and Primoz Brezec. Mohammed has done a very respectable job as a Bobcat thus far, averaging 10.3 points and eight rebounds per contest. Additionally, head coach Sam Vincent came to the conclusion that it was best to use Raymond Felton as a combo guard, rather than giving him the duty of running the team for over thirty minutes each game. To attempt to solve that problem, he has decided to start veteran point guard Jeff McInnis alongside Felton. They are currently 2-3 with that starting backcourt, and McInnis has averaged just over five points and three assists per game in that role.
The Bobcats undoubtedly have a sour taste in their mouth about what happened to them on November 24. Expect more of a fight from the Bobcats than the C’s usually get from lower-tier teams at the Garden.
Projected Starters
C Emeka Okafor / Kendrick Perkins
PF Gerald Wallace / Kevin Garnett
SF Jason Richardson / Paul Pierce
SG Raymond Felton / Tony Allen
PG Jeff McInnis / Rajon Rondo
Key Matchup: Gerald Wallace vs. Kevin Garnett
Garnett has physical and talent advantages, but don’t sleep on Gerald Wallace. "G-Force" may not be quite as big as Garnett, but he’s certainly one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Will he shut Garnett down? Highly unlikely, but can he wreak some havoc? Yes, he can.
Celtics X-Factor: Tony Allen
With Ray Allen out, "TA" needs to make sure he continues to play good basketball. Defensively, he’ll get some looks at both Raymond Felton and Jason Richardson. Both are extremely talented, and Richardson is currently the hottest three-point shooter in the NBA to boot. Will we get "good TA" (good defense, confident, aggressive, finishes) or "evil TA" (multiple turnovers, laying bricks, unable to finish, head hanging low)? Let’s hope the good one shows up, as he has been for the majority of the past two weeks.
Injury Report
CHA – Adam Morrison (recovering from knee surgery)
CHA – Sean May (recovering from knee surgery)
CHA – Othella Harrington (sore knee)
BOS – Ray Allen (pinched nerve)
BOS – Glen Davis (bruised knee – day-to-day)
Celtics Keys to the Game
- Perimeter Defense
- Don’t Allow Many Fast Break Buckets
- Ball Movement
- Role Players – Someone Must Step Up