Thursday night brings the Celtics' first of four matchups this season with the Washington Wizards, who have lost their last two games and now sit dead last in the Southeast Division.
When and Where
Thursday, Dec. 10, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Records
Celtics (17-4, first place in Atlantic Division)
Wizards (7-12, fifth place in Southeast Division)
Head to Head
This is the Celtics' first meeting with Washington this season, but the C's owned the Wiz last year, winning all three contests, two of them by absolute blowouts. One of the Celtics' most lopsided wins was their first meeting with Washington a year ago. On Dec. 11, 2008, the Celtics picked up a 122-88 win at the Verizon Center, as seven Celtics scored in double figures and Boston rolled to victory. We might see a similar outcome this time around.
Skinny
Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are finally, at long last, all healthy and on the floor together. The only problem is that it doesn't seem to be helping much — the notches still aren't showing up in the win column for the last-place Wizards. Sometimes, just having a Big Three at the core isn't enough.
Starting Lineups
Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Wizards
Point guard: Gilbert Arenas
Shooting guard: Nick Young
Small forward: Caron Butler
Power forward: Antawn Jamison
Center: Brendan Haywood
Stat Sheet
Celtics
The Celtics are 9-1 on the road this season.
They are allowing 99.0 points per 100 possessions, lowest in the NBA.
Kendrick Perkins is shooting 65.1 percent from the field, best in the NBA.
Ray Allen is 93.7 percent from the free-throw line, second only to Steve Nash (95.7 percent).
Rajon Rondo leads the league with 57 steals.
Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 18.4 points per game.
Kevin Garnett is averaging career lows in blocks (0.7) and steals (1.0).
Wizards
The Wizards are 6-9 against Eastern Conference opponents.
They have 351 total assists, fourth-fewest in the NBA.
Brendan Haywood is third in the NBA with 86 offensive rebounds.
Gilbert Arenas leads the Wizards with 20.4 points per game.
Antawn Jamison has five double-doubles in his first 10 games this season.
Caron Butler averages 16.6 points and 6.0 rebounds against the Celtics for his career.
Nick Young is shooting 31.8 percent from 3-point range this season.
Black and Blue
Celtics
Marquis Daniels underwent surgery Wednesday morning to repair torn ligaments in his left thumb. He could miss six to eight weeks.
Tony Allen made his season debut Tuesday after a long recovery from an ankle injury. He played six minutes in the Celtics' 98-89 win over Milwaukee.
Glen Davis is nearing his return from a broken thumb.
Wizards
Mike Miller is expected to miss three to six weeks with a strained right calf.
Mike James has a broken left hand. He hopes to return before the end of 2009.
Javaris Crittenton underwent surgery on his left foot in October and is out indefinitely.
This Date in Celtics History
In 1986, the Celtics extend their home winning streak to 48 consecutive game (regular season and postseason included) with a 108-98 win over the New Jersey Nets at the Boston Garden. That streak is snapped two nights later by a 117-110 loss to the L.A. Lakers at the Garden.
Overheard
"I like taking shots — it’s just when you’re playing with guys who are great at what they do, my job is to ship them the ball. I’m a pass-first point guard, probably pass second, shoot third. This is how I play. I’d rather get assists any day than score. I’m going to shoot when I have to, when I feel the need to. Other than that, I’m fine with getting Ray the ball, Paul Pierce, Eddie House. You know, I’ve got great shooters around me."
–Rajon Rondo in Wednesday's Boston Globe
Press Box
Celtics
The Bucks stopped here.
Rajon Rondo is on top of his game as the Celtics streak.
These Celtics will only get better.
Wizards
Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld is not satisfied.
Agent Zero sounds off on Tiger Woods.
Abe Pollin was a cut above.
NBA
Dwyane Wade is as hungry as ever.
The Sixers have lost 11 straight.
Richard Jefferson got the Spurs back on track.
Outlook
The Celtics are catching the Wizards at a good time. This Washington ballclub is still learning to work together with its three biggest stars (Arenas, Jamison and Butler) all on the floor at once. They'll have to share the minutes, share the shots and share the spotlight. Until they figure all that out, they probably won't have what it takes to stop these Celtics. Win number nine of Boston's winning streak could be on the horizon.
