How we see it goin' down: Celtics vs Spurs

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

Referees: Ron Garretson, David Jones and Mark Lindsay

Get your tickets here: Boston Celtics Tickets

The Matchup


Record: 6-5	Record: 8-3
At Home: 3-2	On Road: 4-1
Streak: Lost 1	Streak: Lost 1

Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (19.3 ppg)	Buckets: Tim Duncan (18.0 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (7.4 rpg)	Boards: Duncan (10.0 rpg)
Dimes: Rondo (13.1 apg)	Dimes: Tony Parker (7.7 apg)

For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 105.0 (11th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 106.7 (8th NBA)
Defensive Rating: 106.3 (22nd NBA)	Defensive Rating: 101.9 (9th NBA)
Pace: 91.4 (21st NBA)	Pace: 92.5 (12th NBA)

Last time

In their only meeting last season, the Spurs beat the Celtics, 87-86, in Boston. The Celtics have won 7 of the last 10 in the series. Shocking, huh?

This time

Get it to: Paul Pierce

The Spurs will be without their best small forwards; Stephen Jackson (finger) and Kawhi Leonard (leg). They signed James Anderson (who?) and recalled Corey Joseph (who?) from the D-League. I have no clue will guard Pierce in this game, but the advantage will be in the Truth’s favor.

Gotta stop: Tony Parker

Parker may be the best penetrating guard in the league. He can finish at the rim or pull up for floaters. The Spurs are one of the best half-court teams in the league. Stopping Parker won’t rest squarely on the shoulders of Rajon Rondo, as the Celtics pick-and-roll defense will be tested.

The Wild Card: Manu Ginobli vs Courtney Lee

You can’t sleep on Manu, even though he isn’t exactly lighting it up this season (10.4 ppg, 40% FG, 29% 3 FG). Courtney Lee’s biggest impact in this game will be his defense on Ginobli.