How we see it goin' down: Celtics vs Pacers

Tip: 8PM Court: TD Garden Watch it: CSNNE Hear it: WEEI

Referees: James Capers, Courtney Kirkland and Marat Kogut

Tickets to this and other great Celtics game

The Matchup


Record: 14-17	Record: 19-13
At home: 9-6	On road: 8-10
Streak: Lost 4	Streak: Won 2

Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (19.8 ppg)	Buckets: David West (17.2 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (7.0 rpg)	Boards: Roy Hibbert (8.0 rpg)
Dimes: Rondo (11.6 apg)	Dimes: George Hill (5.1 apg)

For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 102.2 (24th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 101.1 (29th NBA)
Defensive Rating: 104.9 (13th NBA)	Defensive Rating: 99.1 (1st NBA)
Pace: 91.5 (17th NBA)	Pace: 89.9 (27th NBA)

Last time

The Celtics ~~swept~~ split the season series (2-2) last year with Indiana. Paul Pierce dropped 28 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists in the 94-87 victory last January. The C’s won again in Indiana, 86-72, in April. Boston was led by Greg Steimsma’s 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks in that one.

This time

Get it to: The open man

The Pacers rank #1 in defensive efficiency and #2 in points allowed. It will take a team effort from the Celtics to win, not “hero ball.” As Chris Forsberg points out, the Pacers are “susceptible to pick-and-roll ball-handlers and cutters.” That’s you, Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley.

Gotta stop: Paul George

With Danny Granger sidelined (knee), Paul George is the man in Indiana. He’s averaging 19 ppg and 8 rpg over the past 11 games, and Indiana is 9-2 during that stretch. I’m terrified at the thought of watching Paul Pierce guard him.

The Wild Card: Doc Rivers

Danny Ainge said it’s likely that Doc will tweak the lineup. Whether that means starting Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger or Jeff Green, I really don’t know. Doc is obviously frustrated and knows SOMETHING needs to change. Why not start with personnel?