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Boston Celtics (4-6) at Indiana Pacers (8-2)
Saturday, January 14
7:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #11, Road Game #5
TV: CSNNE, FSI, NBA-LP 755/756
Radio: WEEI, WJBC
Conseco Field House
Referees:   Tom Washington, Derrick Collins, Mark Lindsay 

This is the second meeting between these two teams this season.  In their first meeting, the Celtics were embarrassed by the Pacers 87-74.  The Celtics started out slowly and never seemed to get going in that game.

It was an ugly game from start to finish.  Neither team played well on offense.  The Celtics scored only 25 points in the first half and trailed by 8 points going into the 3rd quarter.   The Celtics were out-rebounded 47-36 and were outscored in the paint 43-28. 

Doc tried to shake it up a bit in the last game by starting KG at center and Brandon Bass at the 4 but that didn't seem to work out very well but Doc has also said that Bass will start about 70% of the time and is listed in the starting lineup for this game as well.    Right now, nothing seems to be working, so why not try some changes. Maybe Doc should sit all the starters and see if the second unit can get off to a better start. 

Both teams are playing in the second of back to back games.  The Pacers are coming off a win in Toronto while the Celtics are coming off a loss to the Bulls.  It was the Celtics 3rd straight loss.  Hopefully the Celtics can get it together and pull off a win in this one.  They very much need a win against a quality team to boost their confidence and with the Thunder coming to town on Monday, this is a very good time to get it. 

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Chicago Bulls (10-2) at Boston Celtics (4-5)
Friday, January 13
8:00 PM ET
Game #10,  Home Game #6
TV:  ESPN, CSN-C, CSNNE, NBAC
Radio:   WEEI,  WMVP
TD Garden 
Referees:    Jason Phillips,  Brian Forte,  Leon Wood
The Celtics will welcome a couple of familiar faces when the Bulls come to visit the Garden.  Tom Thibodeau, who was credited with the defense that
led the Celtics to their 17th championship is now in his second season as the head coach of the Bulls.   Brian Scalabrine, who was a fan favorite in Boston for 5 seasons, has returned for his second season in Chicago. 

This is the first of 4 meetings between these two teams this season.  Last season they split the series 2-2, with each team winning on their home court.  The Celtics are 10-8 against the Bulls since the 2006-07 season.  Ray Allen led the Celtics with 16.6 ppg against the Bulls last season while Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 26.0 points and 6.8 assists per game. 

Both teams have been dealing with injuries but at 10-2, the Bulls are obviously dealing much better than the Celtics.  Derrick Rose missed the Bulls' last game, a win against the Wizards but is expected to give it a try in this game.   Jermaine O'Neal and Keyon Dooling missed the Celtics last practice and are questionable for this game. 

The Celtics dropped below .500 with their loss to the Mavericks and have lost their last 2 games after winning 4 in a row.  Their 4 wins were all against the bottom teams in the league and they have yet to beat a team at or above .500.  A win in this game could go a long way toward quieting the doubts of the fans who are very close to panicking.  

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Dallas Mavericks (5-5) at Boston Celtics (4-4)
Wednesday, January 11
8:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #9 – Home Game #5
TV:  ESPN, CSN-NE, FSSW-DAL, NBAC
Radio:  WEEI, KESN
TD Garden 
Referees:  Bill Spooner,  Mark Ayotte,  Josh Tiven
This is the first meeting between the Celtics and the reigning NBA Champs.  The Mavs won the series last year 2-0, but both teams have undergone a considerable makeover since last season.  The Celtics are 3-1 at home while the Mavs are 1-3 on the road. 

The Mavericks are fresh off their visit to the White House and are playing in the second of back to back games, having beaten the Pistons in Detroit on Tuesday night.  The Celtics are coming off a rare 4 day break after their embarrassing loss to the Pacers on Friday. 

The Celtics should get a boost from the debut of Mickael Pietrus, who is finally ready to play after taking a couple of weeks to rehab from off season knee surgery.  He is ready to play and Doc said that his practice on Tuesday was sensational.  The Celtics can use his toughness and scoring off the bench.  Marquis Daniels missed the last 2 practices and may miss this game so Pietrus' debut couldn't come at a better time. 

The Celtics need a win in this game to erase the memory of the debacle against the Pacers.  Both the Celtics and Mavs have struggled out of the gates this season.  Hopefully the Celtics can get on track and get a win in this one.