How we see it goin' down: Celtics vs Spurs

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

Referees: Bill Spooner, Eli Roe and Leon Wood

The Matchup


Record: 30-22 (1st Atlantic, 4th East)	Record: 37-14 (1st Southwest, 2nd West)
At home: 19-8	On road: 16-10
Streak: Won 5	Streak: Won 8
Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (19.1 ppg)	Buckets: Tony Parker (19.3 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (8.2 rpg)	Boards: Tim Duncan (9.0 rpg)
Dimes: Rondo (11.0 apg)	Dimes: Parker (7.9 apg)
For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 100.7 (27th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 109.6 (2nd NBA)
Defensive Rating: 98.8 (2nd NBA)	Defensive Rating: 103.7 (13th NBA)
Pace: 90.4 (20th NBA)	Pace: 92.2 (8th NBA)

Last time

The Celtics swept San Antonio (2-0) last season. The Celtics shot a torrid 58% against the Spurs in those games. Ray Allen (22 ppg) and Tony Parker (20.5 ppg) were the leading scorers.

This time

Get it to: Rajon Rondo & Paul Pierce

If you haven't noticed, the Spurs are no longer a dominant defensive team (17th in OPPG, 23rd in Opp. FG%). They like to push the pace. Call me crazy, but this is the perfect scenario for Rajon Rondo. I see no reason why he doesn't continue his sensational play tonight. San Antonio starts Kawhi Leonard at small forward. Kawhi meet the Truth.

Gotta stop: Tony Parker

Cut the head off the snake, right? Parker is having a fantastic season. He's an excellent penetrator. If only the Celtics had a couple of lighting quick guards who could stay in front of him. It's time for TP to meet AB.

The Wild Card: San Antonio's bench

The Spurs second unit packs a lot of firepower: Manu Ginobili, Matt Bonner, Gary Neal and Stephen Jackson. Boston's second unit needs to play smart defensively and PROTECT the basketball. You can't give these guys extra possessions.