After taking three days to rest and reflect on their weekend losses against Atlanta and Indiana, the C's now return home to Boston, where they're set to take on a Golden State Warriors team that's 3-7 and sitting dead last in a tough Pacific Division. Additionally, the Warriors are without Stephen Jackson, whom they traded away on Monday for for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmonovic.
This could be a good slump-busting outing for the reeling Celtics.
When and Where
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. ET (CSNE)
TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
Records
Warriors (3-7, Fifth place in Pacific Division)
Head To Head
Skinny
The Warriors have some talent in Monta Ellis and rookie Stephen Curry, but they're a long way away from contending in the Western Conference, and the injury bug certainly isn't helping. With Andris Biedrins and Brandan Wright hurting, this is an even weaker Golden State squad than usual.
Projected Starters
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Warriors
Shooting guard: Monta Ellis
Small forward: Anthony Morrow
Power forward: Vladimir Radmanovic
Center: Mikki Moore
Stat Sheet
The Celtics are 3-1 against Western Conference opponents.
They have 277 assisted field goals this season, leading the NBA in that category.
Rajon Rondo leads the NBA with 30 steals.
Kendrick Perkins is fifth with 22 blocks.
Kevin Garnett averages 21.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game against the Warriors.
Ray Allen's 15.2 points per game this year are his lowest average since his rookie season of 1996-97, when he averaged 13.4.
Paul Pierce is 20-for-42 (47.6 percent) from three-point range this season.
Warriors
The Warriors are averaging 111.6 points per game, tops in the NBA.
They are 1-5 on the road this season.
Mikki Moore is 13-for-22 (59.1 percent) from the floor this season.
Monta Ellis leads the Warriors with 19.3 points per game.
Corey Maggette is averaging 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game off the bench.
Stephen Curry is averaging 4.4 assists and only 1.9 turnovers per game.
Vladimir Radmanovic made his Warriors debut on Tuesday night in Cleveland. He contributed 11 points and five rebounds in a losing effort.
Black and Blue
Paul Pierce sprained his knee in Friday's loss to Atlanta. He played through the pain on Saturday in Indiana and is expected to play again Wednesday.
Glen Davis is out until December with a broken thumb.
Tony Allen is out indefinitely with an ankle injury.
Warriors
Brandan Wright underwent left shoulder surgery in October. He is expected to miss four to six months.
Andris Biedrins is out with back, abdomen and groin injuries.
Ronny Turiaf is missing in action with a sprained left knee.
This Date in Celtics History
Overheard
–Kevin Garnett, in Wednesday's Boston Herald, on the Celtics' struggling defense in their last two games.
Press Box
Doc Rivers will take the blame for the C's struggles.
The Celtics get defensive.
Rajon Rondo is indispensable.
Warriors
The shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers beat the shorthanded Warriors on Tuesday.
Monta Ellis is not a happy camper.
Kelenna Azubuike needs surgery.
NBA
Kobe Bryant has his 100th 40-point game.
The Nets are 0-11.
Allen Iverson's divorce from Memphis has been messy.
Outlook
The Celtics may be slumping at the moment, but they're a much, much better team than these Warriors, and they should prove it with a solid showing at home on three days' rest. Expect Paul Pierce to come back rested and healthy, the defense to figure things out again and the C's to rediscover their ability to close things out in the fourth quarter. This is the C's ballgame to win.
