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The Essentials:
Wizards (3-6) at Celtics (8-2)
7:30 p.m.
TD Banknorth Garden
TV: CSN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable early Celtics numbers this season
7th in expected winning percentage (.680)
24th in pace factor (91.3 possessions per game
12th in offensive efficiency (107.4 points/100 possessions)
6th in defensive efficiency (101.7 points/100 possessions
| Tonight's Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wizards | vs. | Celtics |
| Gilbert Arenas | PG | Rajon Rondo |
| Kirk Hinrich | SG | Ray Allen |
| Al Thornton | SF | Paul Pierce |
| Andray Blatche | PF | Kevin Garnett |
| JaVale McGee | C | Shaquille O'Neal |
This is fun: a second game of a back-to-back, on the road, against the league's best team, with them rested, without John Wall. There's a lot of blowout potential here. If the Wizards lose by 10 or 15 while playing hard, I'll take it.
The one saving grace is that the Wizards gave the Celtics problems late in the season last year because of their athleticism. Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee ran circles around the Celtics' frontcourt, beating them in transition and wrecking havoc with their length. If Kevin Garnett doesn't frustrate Blatche in his typical bullying way, the Wizards have two wins. Granted, that was when the Celtics were playing lethargically, but it's still a saving grace.
Then again, Gilbert Arenas is guarding Rajon Rondo tonight. Oy.
Prove me wrong, Wizards. Compete.
GO WIZARDS!