Well it is game day and I am a bit apprehensive about tonight's game. My biggest concern is will Perk play and how well will he play with the plantar fasciitis plaguing him. We really need Perk in there to defend the paint against the Bobcats' big front line. Also, even though they are 2 and 8, the Bobcats are a dangerous team. They have beaten two of the best teams in the league and have been very close in every other. It took a last second shot in overtime to beat them the first time and they are going to be out to avenge that one tonight. In the meantime, here is what is going on around the Celtics Nation today:

The Herald Notebook has an article that is very encouraging. Doc is working with the PGs to pressure the opposing point guard as they bring the ball up to take as much time off the clock as they can before getting into their set offense. We have the players to do this if they commit themselves to playing tough defense. I know that Rondo can without a doubt and Telfair is improving at it. I love to see them play defense as that is what has won us 3 games in a row and that is what it is going to take to keep winning.

The Herald also has a preview of the Celtics/Bobcats game. In my opinion, the key to this game is if and how much Perk can play and if we continue to commiit to tough pressing defense.

The Globe centers on how well Telfair has been playing as of late. Perk and West are questionable for tonight's game but I know that if there is any way possible that Perk can be out there he will be. Al is a possible for tonight as well, only 2 weeks after his appendectomy. It just goes to prove that when they actually find what is wrong with him and fix it, he heals quickly. Also noted is that Tony has had another delay in his trial for aggravated battery.

Celtics.com reports the obvious. If Perk can't go tonight or can only play limited minutes, we are looking at a lot more small ball. Maybe even smaller than small ball. The scary thing is that Scal is the next tallest and may have to play center. I would much rather see Powe in there because I think he would do a good job. When Perk and Al are both back healthy, I would like to see Perk and Al at Center and Gomes and Powe at power forward for our rotation.

Hoopsworld has an article titled Blow Up the Celtics but the article mostly discusses the fact that the Celtics are playing their best ball so far and that they do still have weaknesses and they close with the obvious. We very much need Perk to be healthy and playing. He is the key to our new found defensive intensity.

Lowell Sun reports that Coaching is not the Celtics problem. They feel that the players that Danny has put together is more of a problem than Doc's coaching.

Slam Online has a tongue in cheek piece on the Knicks and Celtics game. The game certainly provided a lot of material to be tongue in cheek about.

I am very anxious about tonight's game mostly because I don't know if Perk will be able to play and I worry that we may take them for granted because of their record. 4 in a row sure would be nice, but the Bobcats are a dangerous team. If Perk can't go, Powe should get the nod to play because he is our next best defender, but I have this terrible feeling that Doc may start Scal because of the experience factor, which is highly overrated. Join us tonight for the play by play on Celtics Green.