Monday: Boston Celtics at Charlotte Bobcats | Raleigh News & Observer

Bobcats vs. Celtics

7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena

TV: SportSouth Radio: WFNZ-AM 610

Projected Starters

Bobcats		Celtics
Pos, Player	Ppg	Rpg		Pos, Player	Ppg	Rpg
G, K. Walker	16.0	4.0		G, J. Crawford	12.1	2.9
G, G. Henderson	13.7	4.8		G, A. Bradley	13.0	3.9
F, M. Kidd-Gilchrist	10.5	5.4		F, J. Green	15.2	4.1
F, J. McRoberts	9.1	5.0		F, B. Bass	11.1	4.0
C, A. Jefferson	13.5	8.0		C, J. Sullinger	12.7	6.8

Matchup to Watch

Jeff Green vs. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong natural defender. Green is a gifted versatile scorer. These two definitely challenge each other.

Observations

• Based on the Brooklyn Nets’ early record and veteran

Kevin Garnett

’s apparent physical decline, the Celtics were probably wise to get what they could for Garnett and

Paul Pierce

.

• The Bobcats thumped the Bucks Saturday by 24 in Milwaukee. Coach

Steve Clifford

says his team plays better on the road than at home, and that has to change.

• Former Bobcats star

Gerald Wallace

is now with the Celtics, his fourth team in as many seasons. Wallace acknowledges his body no longer allows him to play starter’s minutes on a regular basis.

• This is the first of three straight home games. The Bobcats also host the Pacers Wednesday and the Bucks Friday.

Tap-ins

• The Celtics lost rookie center

Kelly Olynyk

over the weekend to an ankle sprain. The injury could keep him out a couple of weeks.

• The Bobcats are winning games on defense and points in the paint; quite a difference from the past two seasons.

• Center

Bismack Biyombo

played five minutes in Milwaukee after not playing Friday against the Phoenix Suns.

Did you know?

Of the nine players under NBA contract who the Bobcats chose in the 2004 expansion draft, two are still in the league: Wallace and Milwaukee’s Zaza Pachulia.

Rick Bonnell