Game 13 Preview: Celtics at Spurs

Jeff Green and the Celtics need to get
back on track, but Tim Duncan
and the Spurs stand in their way.

"I don't know what the f--- that was."

That was Gerald Wallace's response when asked about his team's lackluster effort in last night's 109-85 loss to the Houston Rockets. Those comments cost Wallace $10,000.

But Wallace could not have worded it any better.

Last night's performance at the Toyota Center is one the Celtics (4-8) will like to shake off quickly. Fortunately, they can do so tonight, but they have to face the defending Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs (9-1). 

The Spurs are off to a hot start once again. They are winners of seven in a row and are tied with the Indiana Pacers for the best record in the league. 

And everyone thought the Spurs were too old. Yeesh.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Jordan Crawford
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Vitor Faverani

Spurs:
Tony Parker
Danny Green
Kawhi Leonard
Tim Duncan
Tiago Splitter


Keys to the game:

1. Play some good defense: Duh. But when you let a team score 40 points in the first quarter, score 60 points in the paint, shoot 57%, and outscore you 23-7 in the fast-break department, you need to be reminded that defense is kind of a big deal. The Spurs rank fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage. The Celtics must find a way to limit the Spurs' damage on the offensive end.

2. Get the starting five going: Over their last three games, the Celtics have averaged 89.7 points per game. In two of those three, the starting five has averaged a mere 45.7 points per game. That's extremely poor, in case you were wondering. Jeff Green is the main culprit here, who is averaging a putrid 6.7 points while shooting 24% from the field. Right now, Green is this team's best option. When he plays well, the Celtics play well. The same goes for Avery Bradley, whom I've mentioned in these keys to the game before. This entire quintet needs to get going. Quick.