Sixers (15-24) at Celtics (31-6) 1/18

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Philadelphia 76ers (15-24) at Boston Celtics (31-6)
Friday, January 18
7:30 PM ET
Game #38, Home Game #21
TV: NBA LP ch 753, CSNHD, CSN
Sirius 130
TD Banknorth Garden



Probable Starters

PG: Eddie House PPG 8 | APG 1.7 | SPG 0.9
SG: Ray Allen PPG 18.1 | APG 3 | 3P% .368
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.6 | RPG 5.8 | APG 4.9
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 19.5 | RPG 9.8 | BPG 1.5
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 6.8 | RPG 5.7 | BPG 1.3

Off the Bench
James Posey, Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, Scot Pollard, Gabe Pruitt, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis

Injuries
Rajon Rondo, back, questionable




Probable Starters

PG: Andre Miller PPG 16.2 | APG 6.3 | SPG 1.1
SG: Willie Green PPG 13 | APG 2.1 | 3P% .329
SF: Reggie Evans PPG 5.1 | RPG 8.2 | BPG 0
PF: Andre Iguodala PPG 19 | RPG 5.7 | APG 4.5
C: Samuel Dalembert PPG 11.6 | RPG 10 | BPG 2.6

Off the Bench
Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams, Calvin Booth, Jason Smith, Rodney Carney, Kevin Ollie

Injuries
Herbert Hill, knee, out

Key Matchups
vs
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 19.5 | RPG 9.8 | BPG 1.5
PF: Andre Iguodala PPG 19 | RPG 5.7 | APG 4.5

vs
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 6.8 | RPG 5.7 | BPG 1.3
C: Samuel Dalembert PPG 11.6 | RPG 10 | BPG 2.6

Game Notes
Since this is a division matchup, the Celtics need to win it. Both teams are coming off a win with the Sixers having beaten the Rockets on the road.

The Sixers are 2-8 in their last 10 games and 8-13 on the road. This is the kind of game that the Celtics could take for granted but shouldn't. At leas the Celtics won't have to deal with Kyle Korver's outside shooting in this game.

Rondo is likely out for this game and since House did a good job in the last game, he will likely start. Pruitt did a good job coming off the bench and hopefully Doc will give him more time in this game. The real battles will be inside as Perk and KG will try to keep Iguodala and Dalembert out of the paint and off the glass.

Keys to the Game
Be Aggressive. The Celtics were successful in their last game because they took the ball to the hoop and were aggressive on both ends of the floor. They have to keep this up. The aggressiveness was missing in their losses.

Defense. The Celtics got back to the team defense that made them successful early and they need to hustle on the defensive end and play good team defense.

Play 48 minutes. The Celtics have to hustle for 48 minutes. They have gotten into the habit of coming out flat and then playing catchup or getting a lead and then coasting. They have to come out strong and if they get a lead, keep the pressure on.