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Utah Jazz (27-15) at Boston Celtics (32-9)
Friday, January 21
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #42, Home Game #24
TV:  CSN-NE, FSR-UT, NBA-LP 756/757
Radio:  WEEI, KFNZ
TD Garden
Referees:  Ken Mauer,  Leroy Richardson,  Zach Zarba 

The Celtics welcome Al Jefferson back to the Garden in tonight's game vs the Utah Jazz.  The Jazz are in the 5th spot in the West and in spite of recent struggles, have played very well this season.  They come into this game losers of their last 2 games and 5-5 in their last 10 but have a 27-15 overall record.  They are a tough team and the Celtics must take them seriously.   The Jazz have played well on the road in spite of their last two losses and are 12-8 away from home.  The Celtics are 20-3 at home, but a few of those wins have been close ones over teams they should have blown out. With Deron Williams at the helm and a very talented team,  the Jazz will be a tough foe and the Celtics can't afford to take them lightly. 

Last season, the Celtics split the season series 1‐1, each winning on their home court.  Ray Allen led the Celtics with an average of 15.0 points per game.  Rajon Rondo averaged 10.0 points, 8.5 assists and 2.5 steals in the two contests.  Deron Williams averaged 17.5 points and 7.5 assists in the two contests.  C.J. Miles netted 23 points in his only game against the Celtics last season.  Mehmet Okur averaged 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in the two games.

The Jazz have a strong starting 5 along with a very good bench and they are well coached.  The Celtics will have their hands full with each matchup.  Also, several of their reserves were their starters last season so the Celtics bench players must step up their game.  The Celtics are looking for their 5th straight win while the Jazz are looking to break a 2 game losing streak. This will be a good test of the Celtics vs a very good team from the West. 

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Detroit Pistons (15-26) at Boston Celtics (31-9)
Wednesday, January 19
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #41 – Home Game #23
TV:  CSNNE,  FSD,  NBA-LP 754/755
Radio:  WEEI, WDFN, 97.1 FM The Ticket
TD Garden
Referees:  Steve Javie, Kevin Cutler,  Gary Zielinski 

This is the third meeting between these two teams with both of the previous games in Detroit.  The Celtics won the first one 109-86 but lost the second game 92-104.  The Celtics were without Rondo in the second game along with losing KG to the calf injury in the first quarter.   This time both will be back and ready to avenge the earlier loss. 

There are a couple of sub-plots in this game.  One is the Charlie Villanueva and Kevin Garnett feud.   KG explained but never apologized for his cancer comments to CV and CV hasn't forgiven KG.  In the game before KG was injured, Villanueva picked up a couple of quick fouls and purposely bumped KG on his way off the floor.  Villanueva isn't starting in this game but at some time will probably be on the floor with KG and this will be something to watch.

Another plot that has been developing is the benching of Rip Hamilton.  Rip's name has been included in several trade talks, especially in the 3 team trade that would send Melo to the Nets.  Rip has received DNP-CD's for his last 4 games.  The benching more than likely is to keep him from being injured prior to the trade, but no one seems to know for sure.   In the meantime, the Pistons fans have been chanting for Rip to play and Rip's future is up in the air. 

The Pistons are 4-17 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games while the Celtics are 19-3 at home and 7-3 in their last 10.  Both teams have won 3 games in a row and someone's win streak will end.   The Celtics should win this game easily and with the loss the last time they met, the Pistons shouldn't be a team that the Celtics will take for granted.  Hopefully we will get to see Gino again in this game. 

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OrlandoMagic (25-14) at Boston Celtics (30-9)
Monday, January 17
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #40,  Home Game #22
TV:  TNT, SNET1
Radio:  WEEI,  WDBO
TD Garden
Referees:  Dan Crawford, Michael Smith, James Williams 

This is the second meeting between these two teams.  They first met in a nationally televised game on Christmas day when the Magic broke the Celtics 14 game win streak.  Rondo missed that game and Shaq fouled out after only 12 minutes.  Without Rondo to run the offense, the Celtics shot 35% for the game and a frigid 29% in the fourth quarter.  The Celtics led that game by 5 with 2:42 to go and were outscored 14-1 the rest of the way for the 86-78 loss.

Doc has predicted that KG will be back in the starting lineup for this game and hopefully he will be as the Celtics will need him for this game.  Even if his conditioning is off, the Celtics need his defense and his presence.  He went through a complete practice on Sunday and then attended the Pats' game and so it seems as though all is well with him.  Shaq, however, will be a game time decision after falling on the ice yesterday.   Hopefully Shaq will be able to go as his size and strength will be needed to keep Howard in check.  Marquis hurt his back running into a Perk screen in practice but said after practice that he should be good to go today. 

The Magic have been playing very well since the trade that brought Turkoglu, Arenas and Richardson to the team.  They are 8-2 in their last 10 games while the Celtics are just 6-4 in their last 10.  The Celtics are 18-3 at home while the Magic are 11-9 on the road.   The Celtics have had 2 days off while the Magic last played on Saturday.