Game 56 Preview: Celtics at Trail Blazers

In a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions, the Celtics (29-26) travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers (25-30).

Portland has lost seven straight and has slipped under the .500 mark.

Boston is coming off its first road win against a Western Conference team all year after crushing the Suns, 113-88 behind Jeff Green's career night.

Newcomers Jordan Crawford and Terrence Williams have made good first impressions so far, but another newcomer may have to wait to make his impact. D.J. White, the former Charlotte Bobcat center, has signed a 10-day contract with the team. He has joined them in Portland, but his status for tonight is uncertain because his paperwork from China has not cleared yet. During his time overseas, White averaged 21.6 points and 9.7 rebounds in 32 games for the Shanghai Sharks.

The Celtics throttled the Blazers back in November, 96-78 (without Rajon Rondo) and will look to do so again.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Courtney Lee
Avery Bradley
Paul Pierce
Brandon Bass
Kevin Garnett

Trail Blazers:
Damian Lillard
Wesley Matthews
Nicholas Batum
LaMarcus Aldridge
J.J. Hickson


Keys to the game:

1. Establish Garnett: After a rare night off, Kevin Garnett said at today's shootaround that he felt taking a game to rest was necessary and is ready to go tonight. Now that Garnett is rested, he should be fresh and ready to make an impact tonight. Garnett needs to be established on the low block right from the start, and he should be able to deal with the likes of J.J. Hickson and LaMarcus Aldridge.

2. Backcourt help: Portland's starting backcourt made little impact in their last meeting -- Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews combined for 13 points -- but that doesn't mean the Celtics should discount them. The two are combining for nearly 38 points per game, so it's safe to say that the two are vital to the team's success. Lillard is averaging 19.9 points in 10 February games, while Matthews is scoring 13.3 a game in February. Like they did in November, the Celtics guards need to contain Portland's dynamic duo, and it starts with Courtney Lee and Avery Bradley.