Time: Monday, March 22, 9:00PM EST
Venue: Energy Solutions Arena
TV: FOX ROCKY, CSN-NE Radio: WEEI
The Line: Celtics have second best road record in leauge, Utah has the sixth best home record.
The Countdowninator: 13 Glorious Games Remaining!
The Celtics tonight, if they keep up their current levels of effort and desire, can win three games against winning teams for the first time since December. This is a HUGE accomplishment, considering in December we were one of the top 2 teams in the league.
It will be no easy task though, and lately this team has been wilting under the big lights. I've gotten past saying games are 'must win' because I think it's a minx.
Utah also is absolutely gangbusters at home, and has been for the past couple of years. This year they're giving away assets like Ronnie Brewer and Eric Maynor, but they're still 6th in the league for home record. Shouldn't scare the C's though, our boys are 2nd in the league in road wins. Interesting teams facing off tonight, and definitily a big game. I guess Chuck will have to wait for Hulu tomorrow.
Probable Starting Lineups:
Boston Celtics
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Injuries and Stuff: Marcus Landry (D-League)
New York Knicks
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Injuries and stuff: Andrei Kirlenko (DTD), Mehmet Okur (DTD)
Matchup of the Night: Kevin Garnett V Carlos Boozer
I know the easy answer here is that Deron Williams vs Rondo is the bigger deal, but I disagree. I disagree because lately, both Garnett and Boozer have been playing better than people expected they would. Well, to be more precise, lately Garnett has been better, but this season Boozer has been better (though his numbers were better earlier in the season). Boozer is a legitimate 20-12 threat, and Garnett will need more power than finesse to contain him. Let's see if the old man still has the stones to keep Boozer from making too much of an impact.
3 Keys For the Good Guys:
1) Don't you look at that scoreboard!- The Jazz are absolutely ruthless at home. Jerry Sloan is a god in Utah, and the Energy Solutions Arena is his church. Do not allow the Jazz five minutes of lackadaisical play, because it will be your funeral!
2) Paul Millsap could be an all-star in the East. Do not forget that.- Rasheed cannot guard Millsap all game long. We need Glen Davis for this one tonight, in the worst way. Not Glen "Don't Call me Baby, Call me Uno-Uno" Davis, but we need Glen "Lunchbox, but don't call me lunchbox. It's not about weight, it's about hustle. So stop thinking it's a glorified fat joke, it isn't" Davis. We need Hustle Davis.
3) CJ Miles/AK-47/Kyle Korver/ ain't got nothin' on Paul Pierce- All of a sudden our captain has been looking more and more like a player, hasn't he? 25ppg over our last 4 (wins), and looking quite spry. Let's see how the Captain plays this one.