Celtics (13-40) at Lakers (30-25) 2/23

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Boston Celtics (13-40) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (30-25)
Friday, February 23, 2007 • 10:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #54 • Road Game #28
Staples Center - Los Angeles, California




Probable Starters

Delonte West PPG 11.2 | APG 4.4 | 3P% .390
Paul Pierce PPG 26.1 | RPG 6.7 | APG 4.1
Ryan Gomes PPG 12.4 | RPG 5.8 | BPG 0.2
Al Jefferson PPG 14.2 | RPG 10.9 | BPG 1.4
Brian Scalabrine PPG 3.8 | RPG 1.8 | BPG 0.2

Off the Bench

Rondo/Perkins/ Green

Injuries
Ratliff - Back out
Allen - knee out
Szczerbiak - ankle out

Notes
Doc will probably go with the same starting lineup, even though it hasn't been the most effective starting lineup.





Probable Starters

Smush Parker PPG 11.7 | APG 2.5 | SPG 1.6
Kobe Bryant PPG 28.7 | APG 5.5 | 3P% .354
[b]Lamar Odom PPG 16.6 | RPG 9.3 | BPG 0.6
Brian Cook[/b] PPG 6.9 | RPG 3.3 | BPG 0.4
Andrew Bynum PPG 8.4 | RPG 6.6 | BPG 1.7

Off the Bench

Evans/Farmar/Turiaf

Injuries
Brown Ankle out
Mihm Ankle out
Radmanovic Shoulder out
Walton Ankle day to day

Notes
Lakers are on a slide and have lost 6 in a row and are dealing with injury problems.

Key Match Up
vs
We can expect Kobe to get his points. We can only hope that Pierce will make him work on the defensive end as well.

To the Game

We can't stop Kobe, but we can only hope to contain him.

We have to play team ball. One player can't win it and we need to pass the ball and find the open man and play team defense.

We have to play defense the entire game and not just at the end when we are desperate. We won't outscore the Lakers but if we can play some defense, we may be able to pull out a win.

We have to hit the glass. Rebounding is key to a win.

We need to hit our free throws. We could have won in Sacramento if we just hit our free throws.

We need a new coach.

The Lakers are definitely sliding right now. Walton is a key part of their offense and a real hustler on defense. They miss him greatly right now, he's proven to be more of a key to their success than people gave him credit for. His dad may be annoying, but the kid is a great role player.

C's have a chance in this one.

http://aol.nba.com/celtics/schedule/preview022307-lakers.html

Celtics.com preview still has Doc starting Rondo and moving Delonte to the 2 and moving Scal out of the starting lineup. I wonder if they are trying to send Doc a subliminal message or something since they have been listing this same lineup for the past 3 games and Doc keeps starting West at the point and Scal at center. I keep hoping that maybe he will take the hint and start this lineup.

Lol, gotta love it when it appears that the media outlets are trying to give the coach some help

KOBE MVP! KOBE MVP!...ROFL HAHAHJK

Uhm..well the Gerald Green, Kobe match up should be fun, I dont expect much from Jefferson as long as Odom is matched up with him.

Prediction: Celtics Loss

Kobe has the Celtics number this year.

Its good to see Gerald Green play with a little swagger. I think winning the dunk-contest did wonders for his confidence and I expect him to step up his level of play.