Game 9 Preview: Bobcats at Celtics

Jeff Green will try to lift the Celtics over the Bobcats.

The Boston Celtics (4-4) will look to do two things tonight. They will look to extend their winning streak to five games. They will also try and climb over the .500 mark for the first time all season when they take on the Charlotte Bobcats (3-4).

The Bobcats are losers of two straight, with their most recent loss coming Monday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Al Jefferson, the team's big offseason acquisition, suited up for just the second time in seven games this season due to a lingering right ankle injury.

Both trams are coming off games in which seven of their players scored in double-figures. Both teams also have five players averaging more than 11 points per game. But yet, both teams rank in the bottom third in points scored per game. Go figure.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Bobcats:
Kemba Walker
Gerald Henderson
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Josh McRoberts
Al Jefferson

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Jordan Crawford
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kelly Olynyk


Keys to the game:

1. Don't be selfish: The C's need to continue to heed Gerald Wallace's advice and not be selfish. Since he "called out his teammates," the Celtics have gone 4-2. Ball movement. Assists. Getting others involved. It worked out pretty well the other night. And against a team that's right down your neck in points allowed -- Charlotte is 8th in the league while Boston is 7th -- the Celtics need to utilize that depth.

2. Don't slip up: While their last two wins have been very impressive, the Celtics need to be careful tonight. This Charlotte team has played very good defense thus far. The Celtics aren't going to score well into the 100s like they have the past two games. The Celtics have also allowed an average of 108 points over the past two games. They can't get away with that again, and they also can't bank on the fact that they can shoot 60% again.