Celtics (35-18) vs Nuggets (36-19)
Game time: 3:30pm, Pepsi Center, TV – ABC. Radio – WEEI-AM (850)
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce – 18.2 Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony – 29.3
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins – 8.2 Nuggets: Kenyon Martin – 9.6
Assists
Bos: Rondo – 9.7 Nuggets: Chauncey Billups – 6.1
Who'll go off: Ray Allen. Why should I go away from the hot-hand, especially in a run-and-gun game where Ray could be spotting up beyond the arc on nearly every other possession? Keep an eye on Rasheed Wallace. He owns solid career averages vs Denver (16 ppg, 43% 3FG).
Who needs to be stopped: Chauncey Billups. He's averaging a career best 19 ppg while shooting 42% from 3 FG. It will be near impossible to keep 'Melo under his average, but if the Celtics can limit Billups, especially in the 4th quarter, then they should survive with a W.
The C's will lose if… The Celtics will likely need to be sharp from 3 in order to keep pace with the high-scoring Nuggets, but Denver is among the league leaders in defending the arc.
Miscellaneous: After a thrilling 118-116 OT victory in Cleveland, the Nuggets lost to Washington 107-97 Friday night. Nuggets forward Chris Andersen missed Friday's game with back spasms and is questionable for today. Nuggets coach George Karl will miss several upcoming games as he undergoes treatment for throat cancer. Last year in Denver, the Celtics handed the Nuggets their worst home loss in a decade 114-76.
Prediction: Denver 106 – Boston 101 (Can we really expect the Cs to finish 4-0 on this trip?)
After the jump, the Nuggets dance team.
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