Sixers at Celtics: Game 5 preview

By Gary Dzen

May 21, 2012

1 minute to read

By Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff

Celtics guard Avery Bradley was present at the team’s shootaround this morning in Waltham, but it was unclear if Bradley shot around or stood around as his team prepared for Game 5. Bradley is a game-time decision tonight, and he’s been day-to-day for some time now. This is something that isn’t going to go away as long as the Celtics are alive this postseason.

We’re back in Boston for Game 5, but Celtics fans probably didn’t expect the series to be tied after a blowout win in Game 3 and a great start for the Celtics in Game 4. The Sixers have played two to three quarters of good basketball in this series, but we’re dead even.

Here are the details for tonight’s game:

Tip-off: 7 p.m.
Series: Tied at 2
Broadcast info: TNT, WEEI/850 AM/93.7 FM (Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell)

Probable starters:

Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Avery Bradley
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Brandon Bass
C: Kevin Garnett

Sixers:
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Evan Turner
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: Elton Brand
C: Spencer Hawes

Story lines:

Bounce back for KG?: Kevin Garnett turned 36 years old on Saturday, but he hasn’t looked his age until his 3-of-12 performance Friday night. Will the extra day of rest help Garnett? You’ve got to figure he’s not going to turn the ball over again seven times.

After Bradley: If Bradley can’t go, or if he’s more limited than he’s been, someone needs to step up. Ray Allen hasn’t had a Ray Allen game so far this series. A 20-point outburst could make up for the loss of some of Bradley’s production. On the other side, Mickael Pietrus could come in and play the defensive role that Bradley provides. But someone else has to do something.

Sixers stepping up: Rookie Lavoy Allen gave Philadelphia 32 huge minutes in Game 4, leading the team with 10 rebounds. For the first time all series the Celtics were unable to go small down the stretch, and Philadelphia used Allen to expose the weaknesses in Boston’s bigger lineup. Sixers guard Lou Williams was a plus-28 in Game 4.

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