Celtics (23-5) at Clippers (12-17)
Game time: 9:30pm, Staples Center, Los Angeles. TV – CSN. Radio – WEEI-AM (850).
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce – 18.2 Clippers: Chris Kaman – 19.8
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins – 7.8 Clippers: Marcus Camby – 11.8
Assists
Bos: Rondo – 9.6 Clippers: Baron Davis – 7.6
Who'll go off: The Celtics backcourt. You won't see a lot of defensive intensity from Baron Davis and Eric Gordon (or backups Sebastian Telfair and Ricky Davis). Look for Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to exploit the Clippers guards.
Who needs to be stopped: Chris Kaman. The big man is the Clippers leading scorer. He's got a decent touch around the basket, but can be pressured into turnovers. Perk will have his hands full, but should be able to neutralize Kaman.
The C's will lose if… Baron Davis goes off. He's not the consistent game-changer anymore, but December has been a good month for the Baron. He's had four double-doubles and is averaging 8.4 assists for the month. The caveat – he's only shooting 39% from the field and 29% from 3.
Wildcard: The Celtics had to fly cross country following their emotional Christmas Day win over the Magic. I wouldn't be surprised to see them come out flat and fall behind early. This could be one of those games where one quarter of defensive effort is enough. Marcus Camby is questionable with a knee injury.
Prediction: Celtics 94 Clippers 87
After the jump….the Clippers Spirit dance team.
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