Home Opener Preview

The TD Garden should be rocking on Friday night for the Celtics' home opener.

After all the fallout from their season opening defeat in Miami, we all actually have to move on. In case anyone had forgotten, there are still 81 games to play, and the Celtics actually have a game tonight, which in fact is their home opener. They will look to right the ship as they open up their home slate tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the season opener for the Bucks, so they should come out with a spring in their step. Hopefully the Celtics corrected their defensive issues in order to counter the punch from the Bucks that, according to Doc Rivers, is inevitable.

Although I don't think they will, the Celtics should not change their starting five. It's only been one game, and Rivers is certainly not going to push the panic button and starting changing things one game into the season. Let's give this starting unit some time to mesh because, in my opinion, this is their best starting five with the exception of Avery Bradley at shooting guard. Let them work out the kinks, develop some chemistry, and attain some success to give them confidence.

Projected lineups:

Bucks:
Brandon Jennings
Monta Ellis
Tobias Harris
Ersan Ilyasova
Samuel Dalembert

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Courtney Lee
Paul Pierce
Brandon Bass
Kevin Garnett

Keys to the game:

1. Turnovers leading to transition defense: This has been harped on ever since Tuesday. In order to limit the Bucks' opportunities of running, the C's need to limit their turnovers. They had double the amount of turnovers the Heat had -- 18 to 6 -- and the Heat scored 19 points off those turnovers as opposed to the 6 points the Celtics scored off of turnovers by Miami. Look for Rajon Rondo to dictate the pace -- which should be a fast one.

2. Getting on their level: Yesterday after practice, Rivers talked about the guard depth the Bucks possess and how the Celtics will once again have to go small in order to match up with their opponent. Doc should also look at the guard depth on his own roster and remember that he said he would take his guards over any set of guards in the league.

3. Homecourt advantage: The last time the Celtics played on their home court they were annihilated by none other than the Miami Heat, and the TD Garden faithful sent the team out with a rousing chant of "let's go Celtics." Although things at home ended on a sour note, the Celtics did compile 24-9 record at TD Garden during the regular season and have always played well at home during the Kevin Garnett era -- they're 151-46 to be exact. Considering they're coming off a loss, they're playing -- for all intents and purposes -- a lesser opponent, and the hype that typically surrounds the home opener, the Celtics should come out firing.

Check back for some pregame notes a little later on.