Celtics (22-3) at Kings (11-15) 12/26

[FLCeltsFan]

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Boston Celtics (22-3) at Sacramento Kings (11-15)
Wednesday, December 26
10:00 PM ET
Game #26, Away Game #11
TV: NBA LP ch 759, CSNSAC HD, CSN
Sirius Radio 123
Arco Arena


Probable starting matchups
Point Guard
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Beno Udrich

Shooting Guard
vs
Ray Allen vs John Salmons

Small Forward
vs
Paul Pierce vs Ron Artest

Power Forward
vs
Kevin Garnett vs Mikki Moore

Center
vs
Kendrick Perkins vs Brad Miller




Off the Bench

Posey/ House/ Davis/ Pollard/ Powe/ Scalabrine

Injuries
None


Off the Bench

Garcia/ Thomas/ Douby/ Williams/ Hawes

Injuries
Mike Bibby, torn ligament in thumb
Kevin Martin, strained groin
Shareef Abdur Rahim, knee surgery

Key Matchup
vs
Paul Pierce PPG 20.7 | RPG 5.3 | APG 5
Ron Artest PPG 19.3 | RPG 6.1 | APG 4.4
Ron Artest guards Paul Pierce as well as anyone in the league. In the past, shutting down Pierce was a way to shut down the Celtics but now, Artest can shut down Pierce and the Celtics still have plenty of weapons. Artest has been playing very well and scored 24 points with nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals in the Kings' loss to Denver on Sunday. With Pierce's new found love of defense, he should be able to slow down Artest as well. In their first matcup this season, Pierce scored 26 while holding Artest to 16. It would be good to see more of the same.

Game Notes:
The Celtics beat the Kings 90-78 at the Garden in their first matchup this season. In that game, Perk and Pollard both sat out with injuries and Big Baby started. Udrich and Artest were the high scorers for the Kings. The Kings are 5-5 in the last 10 games and are coming off a 106-105 loss to the Nuggets in their last game. The Celtics are coming off an emotional win over the Magic. The Kings are 8-5 at home. This is the first of 4 games in 5 nights on the West coast and the Celtics need to start this road trip out with a win or the naysayers will be out in full force.
_________________

[Matty]

Prediction, after the game the naysayers will have nay to say.. Boston by a dozen or so....