Celtics (13-4) vs. Bobcats (7-9)
Game time: 7:00pm, Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C. TV – CSN. Radio – WEEI-AM (850).
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce – 19.7 Bobcats: Stephen Jackson – 17.4
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins – 7.4 Bobcats: Gerald Wallace – 11.8
Assists
Bos: Rondo – 9.0 Bobcats: Raymond Felton – 5.1
Who'll go off: Kevin Garnett. I always ride the hot hand, especially when he's being guarded by Boris Diaw.
Who needs to be stopped: Eastern Conference player of the week Gerald Wallace is averaging 25 points, 13 rebounds in his last 3 games. The Bobcats are playing well as a team. They've won four straight, averaging 101 ppg while giving up 83 ppg.
The C's will lose if… They don't keep the Bobcats off the boards. The Bobcats rank near the bottom in field goal and three-point field goal percentage, so it's key for the Celtics to rebound those misses. Paul Pierce needs to keep his body on Gerald Wallace. A 75% defensive effort by the Celtics should be good enough for the win, but they'll need 110% effort on the glass.
Wildcard: The Celtics steamrolled the Bobcats 92-59 in the home opener. They might be looking for some payback. Charlotte is 6-2 at home, 1-7 on the road.
Prediction: Celtics 94 – Bobcats 86
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