Celtics Hoping to Extend Winning Streak to Nine, Avoid ‘Trap Game’ Against Elton Brand, 76ers

The Celtics have made a point these last couple weeks about not overlooking anyone. They respect every opponent and they give a complete effort every time they hit the floor, and it’s paid off. The C’s have now won eight consecutive games, and they’ve done it with consistent effort on both ends.

But if there’s one opponent the Celts could mistakenly overlook, it’s the Philadelphia 76ers. Doug Collins‘ boys have won three straight and four of their last five games, but they’re still among the NBA’s worst teams.

This one screams “trap game” for the C’s, who kick off a three-game road trip in the City of Brotherly Love.

When and Where

Celtics at Sixers
Thursday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. (TNT, CSNNE)
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

Head to Head

This is the first of four meetings this season between the Celtics and Sixers. The C’s won three out of four last year, with the one loss was a 98-97 shocker at the TD Garden on Dec. 18 that snapped an 11-game winning streak. Dating back to the beginning of the Big Three era, the C’s are 10-2 in 12 meetings with the Sixers.

Key Matchup

Kevin Garnett vs. Elton Brand
Both are 30-something All-Star power forwards with their best days behind them, but both are performing this season like a renaissance before our eyes. KG is explosive on both ends and Brand is a low-post monster once again, leading a Sixers team that’s been surprisingly hot these last couple of weeks. Whoever asserts their authority on the block first will have a big advantage in this contest.

Starting Lineups

Celtics

Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Shaquille O’Neal

Sixers

Point guard: Jrue Holiday
Shooting guard: Jodie Meeks
Small forward: Andre Iguodala
Power forward: Elton Brand
Center: Spencer Hawes 

Stat Sheet

Celtics

• Ray Allen scored 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting in the Celtics’ win Wednesday night over the Nuggets. He fell short of his season high of 35, set on Nov. 11 against the Heat.
• Rajon Rondo leads the NBA in assists this season with 239.
• Shaquille O’Neal has career averages of 23.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in his career against the Sixers.

Sixers

• Thaddeus Young had a season-high 26 points on 11-of-12 shooting in the Sixers’ win Tuesday night over the Cavs. His career high was 32 against the Raptors on March 7.
• Thaddeus Young is shooting 59.5 percent from the field, third-best in the NBA.
• Elton Brand has career averages of 20.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in his career against the Celtics.

Black and Blue

Celtics

• Jermaine O’Neal is out with a knee injury. He hopes to return by Christmas.
• Delonte West is out with a broken wrist. His return date is unknown.
• Kendrick Perkins has a torn ACL and will be out until 2011.

Sixers

• Andre Iguodala missed five games last month with an Achilles’ tendon injury.

Outlook

Andre Iguodala isn’t the biggest concern anymore with these Sixers — it’s a healthy, productive Elton Brand. The Sixers have a monster post presence again and the Celtics will need big games from Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett if they want to win the war inside. The C’s have the big man depth to win this one, but it won’t be easy, and they can’t take anything for granted.