How we see it goin' down: Celtics vs Blazers

Tip: 7:30 PM Court: TD Garden Watch it: CSN Hear it: WEEI

Referees: Bennett Salvatore, Pat Fraher and Leroy Richardson

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The Matchup


Record: 8-7	Record: 6-9
At Home: 4-4	On Road: 2-6
Streak: Lost 1	Streak: Lost 3

Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (19.7 ppg)	Buckets: LaMarcus Aldridge (20.4 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (7.5 rpg)	Boards: JJ Hickson (11.1 rpg)
Dimes: Rondo (12.9 apg)	Dimes: Damian Lilliard (6.1 apg)

For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 104.9 (13th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 105.1 (12th NBA)
Defensive Rating: 106.5 (23rd NBA)	Defensive Rating: 109.0 (29th NBA)
Pace: 92.4 (15th NBA)	Pace: 91.5 (18th NBA)

Last time

The Celtics dominated Portland 104-86 in their sole meeting last season. Overall, Boston has won 5 in a row against the Blazers, including eight straight in Boston.

This time

Get it to: Paul Pierce

Who generally steps up when the Celtics are facing tough times? It’s almost always the Truth. With Rajon Rondo out (suspension), I’m expecting Pierce to assert himself in all phases of the game. Portland is not a good defensive team and Nicholas Batum, while athletic and long, can be beat.

Gotta stop: Damian Lilliard

The rookie point guard is averaging 19 ppg. He’s a very good offensive player with deep range (40% from 3). The Blazers rank 6th in the league in transition offense. Normally I wouldn’t be overly concerned with a rookie point guard facing the Celtics defense, but 1) the Celtics defense hasn’t been very Celtic-like this season and 2) Rondo won’t be in the building. Leandro Barbosa needs to stick with this kid.

The Wild Card: Battle of the bench

You thought Boston’s bench was weak? Portland’s reserves average a league low 12.3 ppg. Old friend Sasha Pavlovic, Jared Jeffries, Myers Leonard, Victor Claver and Ronnie Price make up the Blazers second unit. With Barbosa thrust into a starting role, and Jeff Green (knee) and Chris Wilcox (illness) likely out, the Celtics second unit might not be much better. Which unit will step up?