Upcoming Matchup - Short Trip To Detroit

	VS.
3-3	Record	6-0
97.2	PPG	100.7
95.3	PPGA	87.7
45.5	FG%	48.6
45.4	Opp. FG%	44.6
42.3	Rebounds	42.8
23.2	Assists	24.3
18.5	Turnovers	12.7
10.3	Steals	8.3
6.5	Blocks	4.3
0	Season Series	1

Eight tenths of a second separated the Boston Celtics from having a 4-2 record and a 1-0 series lead against the defending Eastern Conference Champions heading to Detroit on Tuesday night. The November 4 matchup came to a stunning end for the Celts when Richard Hamilton drained a right wing jumper as time expired to give Detroit a one point win. Boston will look to mirror the first 47:59.2 of that game and come away with a win.

For the Celtics to win, they will need to maintain a balanced attack against Detroit. This season, the Celtics have won by hustling, defending, hitting from long range, and banging inside. Last time the teams met, Detroit's starters outscored Boston's starters 47-49 while they were on the floor together, but all five C's starters scored double digits. To pull out a win, Boston must repeat that level of effort and will likely need a bench player to step up big as well.

POINT GUARD
Delonte West Points: 8.5 Rebounds: 5.2 Assists: 4.3	Chauncey Billups Points: 17.2 Rebounds: 2.7 Assists: 9.3
Delonte West is showing growth in his role as the starting point guard for the Celtics. He has surprised fans and NBA teams with his rebounding and shot blocking abilities this season. A point guard isn't generally described as an "inside presence" but Chauncey Billups is a guard that will go inside. Billups took almost half his shots from less than 10 feet the first time the teams met, and about 20% of his shots on the season are from close range. Look for the point guard matchup in the paint to be a building block for the Celtics to build the rest of the game on.

SHOOTING GUARD
Ricky Davis Points: 17.5 Rebounds: 5.3 Assists: 5.0	Richard Hamilton Points: 22.3 Rebounds: 4.0 Assists: 2.5
The key to stopping Richard Hamilton is one that many teams are still trying to figure out. His shooting percentage is fantastic, and he's shown the Celtics he can make a clutch play. Ricky Davis played 41 minutes and had only 10 points in the last game against Detroit, but is averaging well over that for the season. At over 2 steals per game, Davis can make a difference on the defensive end of the floor, in addition to his playmaking ability. This will certainly be a high-energy matchup.

SMALL FORWARD
Paul Pierce Points: 26.3 Rebounds: 8.0 Assists: 5.0	Tayshaun Prince Points: 18.0 Rebounds: 3.2 Assists: 2.5
Tayshaun Prince, simply put, is fundamentally sound. He'll have to be on both ends of the floor to keep up with Paul Pierce. Pierce has been pouring in the points again this season from everywhere on the court. Prince is much better from the left side of the floor (72.7% shooting from the left baseline inside the 3 point arc) so if Pierce can keep him from getting open shots on that side, he should come away with a huge advantage in this one.

POWER FORWARD
Raef LaFrentz Points: 13.0 Rebounds: 6.0 Assists: 7.0	Rasheed Wallace Points: 10.7 Rebounds: 6.5 Assists: 2.0
The Garden had to order new nets for the baskets after Raef LaFrentz's sizzling shooting nearly burned through them. Raef is a streak shooter, so if he can get hot again in Detroit, look out. A 7-9 performance from 3 point range and a career high tying 32 points is a good confidence booster for anyone. Raef is now 5-5 from corner three pointers this year. On the other side, Rasheed Wallace averages just over 1.3 points per shot -- a much better mark than most teams overall. Count on Wallace to get quality scoring opportunities, steals, and rebounds. If LaFrentz can frustrate him early with his outside shot, Wallace will be less effective later in the game.

CENTER
Mark Blount Points: 13.2 Rebounds: 3.8 Assists: 2.8	Ben Wallace Points: 10.8 Rebounds: 12.2 Assists: 1.8
Mark Blount showed that he was not intimidated by Ben Wallace by taking eight shots inside of ten feet in the first meeting of these two clubs, and making five of them. Blount will need to protect the ball from the defensive presence of Big Ben, though. Against a solid team like Detroit, turnovers will almost assuredly be costly down the stretch. When Wallace is on the floor, Detroit averages 4.5 more rebounds than their opposition. For the Celtics, this means they need to make a conscious effort to get a body on Wallace and keep him away from the rim.

BENCH
Al Jefferson Points: 6.7 Rebounds: 5.0 Assists: 0.5	Antonio McDyess Points: 5.0 Rebounds: 6.7 Assists: 1.3
The Pistons bench has consisted mainly of Antonio McDyess this season. While he has played over 20 minutes per game, he's shooting poorly and averaging only 0.81 points per shot. Detroit's bench, overall, is getting 21.7 of the Piston's points every night. Again, Al Jefferson will play a key role as a reliever. Though only scoring 6.7 points per game, he has been effecient with his time, getting 18.8 points per 48 minutes played. Like the last time these teams meet, it will be up to the deeper C's bench to put together a couple of runs while Detroit's starters are resting and easy points are available.