After what may have been their most exciting victory of the season, the Celtics (27-23) will look to muster up enough energy to try to extract another "W" and extend their winning streak to a season-high eight games as they travel to Charlotte to take on the Bobcats (11-39).
This is a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions. The Bobcats come into tonight's game losers of seven straight, while the Celtics are in the midst of a magical, unimaginable seven-game winning streak without, well you know by now.
In many ways, this could be Boston's toughest test of the season, and I say that cautiously. Charlotte is not a good team; their record speaks for itself. But, they are a more competitive team then they were last season. They're playing a more up-tempo style of basketball, as evident by them ranking fourth in the league in fastbreak points (16.8). And, just like the 29 other clubs in the NBA, they're a professional basketball team, and they're fully capable of winning on any given night, especially on a night like tonight.
The Celtics are in a tough spot. Doc Rivers has to be aware of everyone's minutes, especially those of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, the latter of whom tied a career-high for minutes in a single game. That, along with the fact that Boston is only 3-4 on the road on the second night of a back-to-back after a home game the night before does not help Boston's cause.
Tonight's game will not only be about physical toughness, but mental toughness will also play a huge role in the outcome.
This team has been unpredictable all season long. With the way this year has gone, I wouldn't be surprised if Garnett and Pierce each have triple-doubles tonight and the Celtics win by 30. It's just been that kind of year.
Here's a preview:
Projected lineups:
Celtics:
Courtney Lee
Avery Bradley
Paul Pierce
Brandon Bass
Kevin Garnett
Bobcats:
Kemba Walker
Gerald Henderson
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Bismack Biyombo
Byron Mullens
Key to the game:
1. Mental toughness: More than anything, this game will be about the mental toughness of the Celtics. In fact, this may be the ultimate test of this team's mental toughness. Without their starting point guard and power forward, on the road on the second night of a back-to-back, and throw in the fact that they played a triple-overtime game less than 24 hours before all add up to a recipe for disaster. How badly do the Celtics want this win? With a Celtics win and a Hawks loss, the Celtics will jump ahead of Atlanta for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference. Knowing that -- and I'm sure the Celtics do -- can they dig even deeper than they did last night to get this victory? If there's one thing I've learned in the last five (now six) seasons, it's to put anything past the Boston Celtics.
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