Regular Season Game #62 – Road Game #30
Monday, March 10
7:00 PM ET
TV: NBA LP ch 751, CSN HD
Wachovia Center
Sixers Coverage: Passion and Pride l 76ers Locker
The Celtics look to win their ninth straight and reach 50 for the first time in 16 years tonight when they visit the surging Philadelphia 76ers, who are trying to win their 9th straight home game for the first time in more than five years. This is the 4th game in a row that will involve a team playing in the second of back to back games. The Pistons and Bulls played the night before playing the Celtics who played the night before facing the Grizzlies. The Celtics came away winners in all 3.
Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Rajon Rondo vs Andre Miller
SG: Ray Allen vs Willie Green
SF: Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala
PF: Kevin Garnett vs Thadeus Young
C: Kendrick Perkins vs Samuel Dalembert
Key Matchups
Paul Pierce PPG 20.4 RPG 5.40 APG 4.7 EFF + 20.12
Andre Iguodala PPG 19.7 RPG 5.50 APG 4.6 EFF + 19.63
Iguodala is their best player and it will be up to Pierce to contain him. Making him work on the defensive end could help to get him into foul trouble.
Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.5 RPG 6.00 APG 1.1 EFF + 11.82
Samuel Dalembert PPG 10.9 RPG 10.00 APG 0.5 EFF + 17.42
Perk should be able to keep Dalembert off the boards as well as limiting his effectiveness in the paint especially with the way Perk has been playing lately.
Honorable Mention
KG vs Thadeus Young
KG has height and experience on Young and the Celtics should look to exploit this matchup.
Keys to the Game
1. Defense, both in the paint and on the perimeter
2. Ball movement
3. Be aggressive on both ends of the court
4. Don't play down to their level
X-Factor
Motivation and Hustle
The team that wants it more will win this game. If the Celtics come in motivated and play their game on both ends of the floor, they will win. The Sixers will be motivated and like every team against the Celtics will bring out their best. The team that puts out the most effort will win it.