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Toronto Raptors (1-2) at Boston Celtics (3-1)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
7:30 PM ET
CSN HD
XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
The Celtics will play the Raptors tonight in the second of back to back games. Doc had said that he would sit the big 3 in one of the two games and since they sat last night against the Nets in New Jersey, they will more than likely be playing in this game. Doc may or may not play them more than the 20 minutes he has held them to so far, but they should see some playing time in this one.
KG, Pierce, and Ray sat out the entire game vs the Nets. Ray dressed but didn't play but Pierce and KG were on the bench in street clothes. Marquis Daniels started the game, but left at half time with a stomach bug after having to run to the locker room several times during the first half. Rasheed Wallace tweaked his ankle and sat out part of the second half. In spite of playing short handed, the Celtics bench along with Rondo and Perk showed some of the grit that is going to make this team tough to beat this season.
Hedo Turkoglu has been out with a knee problem and will be making his Raptors debut in this game vs the Celtics. He will be playing without having had much practice with the team and so there may be some chemistry issues on the court until he gets used to his new teammates. He will definitely give the Raptors a boost with his presence on the team.
Former Celtics Patrick O'Bryant and Marcus Banks are playing for the Raptors this season. In spite of these two players, the Raptors have a nice core of players and should be a tough team once they get everyone healthy. At the least, they will give the Celtics more of a challenge than the Nets did.
The Celtics will see the Raptors once more in the preseason on October 18 at the Air Canada center.
Probable Starters
Rondo/ R Allen/ Pierce/ Garnett/ Perkins
Reserves
Rasheed Wallace
Marquis Daniels
Injuries
Tony Allen (ankle) out
(knee) out
Rasheed Wallace (ankle) questionable
Marquis Daniels (stomach bug) questionable
Probable Starters
Calderon/ DeRozan/ Turkoglu/ Bosh/ Bargnani
Reserves
Marco Belinelli Jarrett Jack Amir Johnson
Patrick O'Bryant
Marcus Banks
Injuries
Sonny Weems (toe) game time decision
(knee) day to day
Key Matchups
Rajon RondoJose Calderon
I am sure that Calderon will remember the fact that KG taunted him in a game last season and would love nothing better than to get his revenge with a win in every game these two teams play this season. Rondo seemed to break out in last night's game against the Nets as he sparked the shorthanded Celtics with 18 points, 13 assists, 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Hopefully he will continue that trend in this game.
Kevin GarnettChris Bosh
Chris Bosh is one of the best young power forwards in the game and is very dangerous on the offensive end. However in most of the games between these two teams last season, Bosh seemed to be very intimidated by KG.
KG is still working his way back to game shape and took another step in that direction when he converted an alley oop in practice. He should be rested and ready to go in this game.Keys to Watch For
Continued progress for KG
Rondo's jumper and continuing to be aggressive
The development of the bench
Developing chemistry between players