Celtics vs. Wizards Preview

The Celtics are coming off a very tough 4 game road trip, their longest of the season so far, and the most for the season, for the Celtics  go on a four gamer twice. They finished the road trip with a 3-1 record, with wins against the Thunder, Heat, and most recently (saturday) the Grizzlies. Now, after four days of rest, the Celtics are back in action at home against the Wizards. After the road trip, they are now 8-2, and lead the Magic by one game in the Eastern Conference standings. Tonight, however, will be a different game for the Celtics. John Wall, overall #1 draft pick, may sit out for the Wizards tonight with a strained foot.  Wall, who currently ranks first in the NBA in steals per game and fifth in assists per game, did not play in the team’s 109-94 victory over Toronto last night as he continues to nurse a sprained left foot. Wall injured the foot when he came down awkwardly on it after nailing a 3-pointer against the Bulls Saturday night. However, he Wizards also flew to Boston last night with Wall on board, so there is a great chance he’ll be in the lineup for this game. If he is, that means the showdown between Rajon Rondo and Wall will be on. Rondo and Wall are quite possibly the two most talented point guards to ever be drafted out of Kentucky and each possesses a level of speed that is uncomparable in the world of basketball. And if you think Rondo is fast, you’re in for something special if Wall makes it into the game tonight. The Wizards also flew to Boston last night with Wall on board, so there is a great chance he’ll be in the lineup for this game.
If he is, that means the highly touted showdown between Rajon Rondo and Wall will be on. Rondo and Wall are quite possibly the two most talented point guards to ever be drafted out of Kentucky and each possesses a level of speed that is unparalleled in the world of basketball. And if you think Rondo is fast, you’re in for something special if Wall makes it into the game tonight.
What may be lost in the shuffle due to the Rondo-Wall talk is that the Celtics will finally have Delonte West back in the lineup. His 10-game suspension is complete and he is now eligible to play for the remainder of the season, giving Rivers a new weapon to use off of the bench. West will likely play the role of lead reserve at point guard and shooting guard, allowing Nate Robinson to move off the ball a bit more than he has in the first 10 games of the season. We may see West get some minutes at small forward tonight as well, as Rivers mentioned at Tuesday’s practice that the Celtics were unsure of Marquis Daniels’ availability. Daniels missed Boston’s last two practices as he tends to a family issue and he may not return for tonight’s game. Another player who is out for the Celtics is Jermaine O'Neal.
Tonight, we will have a tough competition if Wall does play, but overall it will be an entertaining game.
Some stats 10 games into the season-

Celtics 2010 - 2011 Regular Season Leaders

Points

1. P. Pierce 21.0
2. R. Allen 18.8
3. K. Garnett 15.4
4. G. Davis 11.3

Rebounds

1. K. Garnett 10.4
2. S. O'Neal 5.8
3. P. Pierce 5.4
4. R. Rondo 5.2

Assists 

1. R. Rondo 15.1
2. P. Pierce 2.8
3. R. Allen 2.4
4. K. Garnett 1.9

Stats and Source- celtics.com