/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60495331/granger-teeth.0.0.jpg)
Probable Lineups
Boston:
POSITION | PLAYER | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG |
PG | Rajon Rondo | 32.6 | 10.3 | 9.2 | 3.7 |
SG | Ray Allen | 35.2 | 14.3 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
SF | Paul Pierce | 34.5 | 18.7 | 4.1 | 4.9 |
PF | Kevin Garnett | 30.2 | 13.5 | 7.5 | 2.4 |
C | Kendrick Perkins | 26.2 | 10.0 | 1.1 | 6.5 |
6 | Rasheed Wallace | 21.7 | 10.3 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
7 | Marquis Daniels | 21.3 | 6.6 | 2.7 | 2.0 |
8 | Shelden Williams | 15.9 | 6.3 | .8 | 4.9 |
9 | Eddie House | 15.3 | 6.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 |
10 | Lester Huson | 5.5 | 1.8 | .7 | .2 |
Indiana:
POSITION | PLAYER | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG |
PG | Earl Watson | 28.0 | 9.3 | 2.3 | 3.2 |
SG | Brandon Rush | 25.8 | 6.8 | 1.7 | 4.2 |
SF | Dahntay Jones | 33.5 | 15.0 | 1.7 | 4.2 |
PF | Danny Granger | 37.3 | 24.2 | 2.2 | 6.7 |
C | Roy Hibbert | 26.2 | 11.8 | 2.2 | 10.2 |
6 | Solomon Jones | 20.3 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 5.5 |
7 | Tyler Hansbrough | 15.0 | 12.0 | .5 | 6.5 |
8 | Luther Head | 18.4 | 6.6 | 2.0 | 1.2 |
9 | AJ Price | 6.8 | 2.5 | .5 | .3 |
10 | Josh McRoberts | 5.7 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 |
Injuries and Stuff:
Boston: OUT- Glen Davis, Tony Allen
Indiana: OUT-Murphy, Dunleavy QUESTIONABLE- TJ Ford, Jeff Foster
Major Matchup:
Paul Pierce vs Danny Granger
In any game involving the Pacers the biggest matchup will always revolve around Danny Granger. While other players can sometimes step up and play above their ability, Danny Granger is the only player on the team who always has the possibility of have an out of this world game. He's not quite a superstar yet, but he is on the cusp, much like the situation Joe Johnson was in 2 years ago (and kind of still is). Paul Pierce however has been a superstar in "the league" for some time, and he knows how to handle these up and comers. If Indiana is going to have a chance Danny Granger needs to hit around 40% of his 3's and shoot over 50% from the field.
Other Noteable Matchups:
Marquis Daniels vs Indiana
While there was not any real animosity on Daniels' side when he left the Pacers this summer, you get the feeling that players playing against their former teams always play like they have something to prove. If he gets 25 mins plus tonight (very likely with the minutes Ray Allen and Paul Pierce logged last night) and gets his game rolling, he could easily end up being our biggest weapon tonight.
Rajon Rondo vs TJ Ford
I can't find ANYWHERE that says for certain that TJ Ford is out for tonight's game. My guess is that he won't play, but if he does, it could be an issue. TJ Ford is the only guy out there that can "out Rondo" Rondo. If Ford has a decent game and Granger plays up to his ability, this could be a difficult matchup indeed for the Celtics.
Keys to the Game for the Good Guys:
1: Bench Play- I would be surprised if Garnett managed more than 22 mins tonight, and I think both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will stay under 30 a piece. If Rasheed Wallece, Shelden "Hotdog Fingers" WIlliams, Marquis Daniels, and Eddie House can't get it done against the injury depeleted Pacers, we are in trouble.
2. Containing Granger- Danny Granger has shot a pretty poor 29% from behind the arc this season. If we keep him from getting into a groove, and limit him to 20 points or less tonight, this game will be considerably less stressful and could turn into a laugher.
3. We spit hot fire!- The Celitcs got EMBARASSED by the Hawks last night, and a lot of that had to do with lack of rebounding on the defensive end, and poor rotations on the offensive end. These are hustle plays. We need to come out with bellies full of bile and hearts full of fire. We've got to crap thunder and...well you get the point. We've got to come out like a team that wants to prove to themselves that they're better than they played last night. If we do that, the Hawks don't have a chance.
Bill Walker Watch: 1 game, 0 pts, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 earth shattering life changing dunks
Probability of significant playing time: 40%
-Pierce should have his minutes limited, and if we get ahead early the conditions will be perfect for a Walker heavy second half.