Preview: Spurs at Celtics

Tonight's Matchup

	vs.
12-27	Record	29-13
97.8	PPG	98.8
100.1	PPGA	90.5
44.9	FG%	47.2
45.8	Opp. FG%	44.6
40.7	Rebounds	41.0
19.7	Assists	22.1
16.8	Turnovers	14.4
6.8	Steals	7.2
5.0	Blocks	4.9
0-0	Season Series	0-0

Monday, January 22, 2007
TD Banknorth Garden, 7:30 PM
TV: Fox Sports Net New England
RADIO: WRKO 680 AM

After a tough weekend of close games, the Celtics are back at the Garden to host the visiting San Antonio Spurs tonight, and they'll be looking to deal the Spurs their first loss in Boston in 10 years.

The Spurs (29-13) come to town having won six of their last eight games, and the beat the 76ers in Philly Sunday night 99-85 in the first game of a quick two-game trip.

The Celtics are still trying to find their way without Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak in the lineup, but the injuries have opened up opportunities for guys who previously weren't seeing playing time. Allan Ray has posted a pair of 20-point games in his last three outings off the bench, and Rajon Rondo nearly had a triple double in Saturday's overtime loss in Washington.

Tim Duncan, who's never lost to the Celtics, is once again leading the way for the Spurs this season, as he's already posted 24 double-doubles including Sunday's 17-point, 15-rebound effort against Philly. And Duncan's been blocking shots at an impressive clip as of late; he's averaging 3.2 BPG over his last six games.

Manu Ginobili is also a force for the Spurs, especially on the road, where he's averaging more than four more points per game than he does at home.

Point Guard

Delonte West
Points: 9.7
Rebounds: 2.5
Assists: 3.8

Tony Parker
Points: 19.1
Rebounds: 3.3
Assists: 5.6

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Shooting Guard

Gerald Green
Points: 8.7
Rebounds: 2.4
Assists: 0.8

Manu Ginobili
Points: 16.4
Rebounds: 4.5
Assists: 3.4

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Small Forward

Ryan Gomes
Points: 11.4
Rebounds: 5.9
Assists: 2.0

Bruce Bowen
Points: 7.0
Rebounds: 2.6
Assists: 1.5

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Power Forward

Al Jefferson
Points: 13.8
Rebounds: 10.3
Assists: 0.9

Tim Duncan
Points: 19.8
Rebounds: 10.5
Assists: 3.3

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Center

Kendrick Perkins
Points: 3.9
Rebounds: 4.5
Assists: 1.0

Fabricio Oberto
Points: 5.4
Rebounds: 5.1
Assists: 0.9

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Bench

Rajon Rondo
Points: 4.4
Rebounds: 2.7
Assists: 2.5

Robert Horry
Points: 4.1
Rebounds: 3.8
Assists: 1.3

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- Compiled by Peter F. Stringer