http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/ce...g?articleid=100 In their last 11 matchups the Celtics have won 1 game against the Nets. But against a struggling Nets team and with their new up tempo team the Celtics have a great chance to change all this tonight. Probable Starting Lineups Celtics PG- Mike James SG- Paul Pierce SF- Kedrick Brown PF- Vin Baker C- Raef Lafrentz/ Mark Blount Nets PG- Jason Kidd SG- Kerry Kittles SF- Richard Jefferson PF- Aaron Williams C- Jason Collins Kmart is out for at least another week because of his ankle, also Rodney Rogers is probably out for this game after dislocating his finger and Eric Willimas is most likely out for the Celtics after not playing against the Pistons Wednesday because of his elbow. Celtics leaders[quoteright]"I think we match up well with them now, other than probably Jason Kidd,'' Pierce said. "He's the best point guard in the game, but as far as their athleticism and their speed, I think we're able to match up pretty good. I think we've improved in our transition defense, where they've hurt us in the past. And we've improved in our offense. "There's probably only like one or two point guards that match up with (Kidd) in the league. I mean, he's the best point guard in the game. As he goes, they go, and it's just about containing him - not letting him go out there and having a superstar game.''[/quoteright] Points P. Pierce 22.8 Rebounds P. Pierce 8.0 Assists P. Pierce 5.5 Steals M. James 1.75 Blocks M. Blount 1.25 FG% V. Baker .636 FT% P. Pierce .885 3PT% P. Pierce .333 Nets leaders Points R. Jefferson 18.8 Rebounds R. Jefferson 7.6 Assists J. Kidd 10.0 Steals K. Kittles 3.20 Blocks J. Collins 0.80 FG% R. Jefferson .507 FT% J. Collins 1.000 3PT% J. Kidd .370 Key Matchup The key matchup in this game is Mike James/Marcus Banks against Jason Kidd. In the past Kidd has always destroyed the Celtics guards, but this year may be different. The Celtics finally have some speed at the PG position. if James and Banks can limit Kidd's drives to the basket and force him to take jumpshots the Celtics will have a great chance to win this game. Another important matchup is Vin Baker against whoever the Nets play at PF without Kmart, if Vin can score from the post at ease the Celtics will have a big advantage. Season Stats Nets PPG: 85.0 Opp PPG: 81.8 FG%: .407 Opp FG%: .434 RPG: 39.6 Opp RPG: 41.4 Celtics PPG: 92.3 Opp PPG: 89.8 FG%: .463 Opp FG%: .406 RPG: 42.3 Opp RPG: 40.0 ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS TEAM W L PCT GB Washington 2 2 .500 - Boston 2 2 .500 - New Jersey 2 3 .400 ? Philadelphia 2 3 .400 ? New York 1 3 .250 1 Orlando 1 4 .200 1 ? Miami 0 5 .000 2 ?
