Celtics (28-13) vs Clippers (20-23)
Game time: 7:30pm, TD Garden. TV - CSN. Radio - WEEI-AM (850).
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce - 18.8 Clippers: Chris Kaman - 20.4
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins - 8.3 Clippers: Marcus Camby - 12.0
Assists
Bos: Rondo - 9.6 Clippers: Baron Davis - 8.2
Who'll go off: Rajon Rondo. If the Celtics can start fast, the Clippers (who are fresh off a road win in Washington) might mail-in this game. Rondo needs to push the tempo in the opening quarter.
Who needs to be stopped: Baron Davis. As a team, the Celtics are having difficulty slowing opposing point guards.
The C's will lose if... they sleep on the Clippers... they don't rebound... they come out sleepwalking in the 3rd quarter... they get reckless with the ball... they don't make the extra pass on offense...
Miscellaneous: G Eric Gordon (sprained left big toe) is day-to-day. The Clippers are coming off a 92-78 win in Washington Sunday night. The Celtics struggles (5-8) began with their December 28th loss to the Clippers in LA ("Rondo Chokes, Baron Doesn't").
Prediction: Celtics 105 - Clippers 89