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Celtics Kick Off Preseason Against Raptors

By flceltsfan

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Boston Celtics (0,0) at Toronto Raptors (0,0)
Preseason Game 1
Sunday, December 18
1:00 PM ET
TV: CSNNE, SNET, NBA-LP 751
Air Canada Centre

Celtics' basketball is finally back!! Granted it's only a preseason game after a very short and chaotic training camp. but it's Celtics' basketball nonetheless. The Celtics begin their preseason against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Although I'm excited to see the Celtics on the court again, I'm not expecting a very polished or pretty game.

Training camp has been frustrating for the Celtics due to late signings and injury problems. Paul Pierce has not been able to practice due to a sore heel and is not expected to play in this game. Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, and Sasha Pavlovic have also missed practice time with minor injuries. The latest blow came when the Celtics announced that Jeff Green would miss the entire season with an aortic aneurysm.

The Raptors haven't had injury problems, but they also have had the short training camp to prepare and head coach Dwayne Casey is still trying to decide on his starting lineup. Expect Casey to look at several different lineups as he evaluates his players and tried to settle on his starting lineup for the regular season.
For the fans of both teams who have waited so long to watch NBA basketball again, this won't just be a trivial pre-season game. It will be the start of a season that many doubted would ever take place. So, no matter which players are on the court or how badly the teams play in their first real action, fans will be thrilled just to have basketball to watch again.


Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Marquis Daniels
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Jermaine O'Neal

Roster
#20 G Ray Allen
#30 PF/C Brandon Bass
#0 G Avery Bradley
#42 G/F Gilbert Brown
#4 G/F Marquis Daniels
#51 G Keyon Dooling
#5 PF Kevin Garnett
#8 F Jeff Green
#12 F JaJuan Johnson
#55 G/F E'Twaun Moore
#7 PF/C Jermaine O'Neal
#11 G/F Sasha Pavlovic
#34 G/F Paul Pierce (C)
#9 PG Rajon Rondo
#52 F Jamaal Sampson
#54 C Greg Stiemsma
#60 F/C Michael Sweetney
#44 F/C Chris Wilcox

Injuries
Paul Pierce (heel) out
Rajon Rondo (ankle) probable
Kevin Garnett (thumb) probable
Jeff Green (heart) out



Probable Starters
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: DeMar Derozan
SF: James Johnson
PF: Andrea Bargnani
C: Jamaal Magloire

Roster
#50 C Solomon Alabi
#20 SG Leandro Barbosa
#7 C Andrea Bargnani
#5 PG Jerryd Bayless
#9 SG Rasual Butler
#8 PG Jose Calderon
#25 PG Anthony Carter
#32 PF Ed Davis
#10 SG DeMar DeRozan
#3 F Gary Forbes
#34 C Aaron Gray
#15 PF Amir Johnson
#2 SF James Johnson
#11 SF Linas Kleiza
#21 C Jamaal Magloire

Injuries
None

Interesting Fact Jamaal Magloire became the first Canadian to sign with the Raptors when he signed with the club on December 9. Magloire was born and raised in Toronto. He is one of six Canadians currently playing in the NBA - Joel Anthony (Miami), Samuel Dalembert (TBD), Cory Joseph (San Antonio), Steve Nash (Phoenix) and Tristan Thompson (Cleveland).

Keys to the Game
Work on conditioning
Have Fun
Do not get injured

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