Game 62 Preview: L.A. Clippers @ Boston Celtics

Your Chance to meet Mr. Bill Russell, Sam Jones, John Havlichek and other sports legends!

Celtics look to corral Blake Griffin and the Clippers

Perennial Western Conference cellar dwellers, the Los Angeles Clippers (24-40) make their annual visit to TD Garden on Wednesday night to take on the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics (46-15).

While ”Losing” and “Clipper Basketball” are often synonymous, the 2011 Clippers boast one of the league’s most exciting players in rookie-of-the-year favorite Blake Griffin. The now popular “Blake Show” arrives in Boston after defeating the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night behind Griffin’s 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The Celtics are coming off a five-game winning streak highlighted by a come from behind win against Milwaukee on Sunday led by NBA Player of the Week Paul Pierce who scored 23 points including an emphatic dunk during their second half run.

In the February 26th match-up against the Clippers, the Celtics overcame a sluggish first half to pull out a 99-92 win in Los Angeles. Randy Foye led the Clippers with 32 points and 7 assists, while Griffin contributed with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics were led by Paul Pierce and Ray Allen who led the second half surge with 24 and 22 points respectively.

The injury-plagued Celtics will be without the services of regulars Shaquille O’Neal (Achilles inflammation), Von Wafer (Calf strain), Glen Davis (Patella Tendon strain), and Delonte West (Ankle sprain) for Wednesday.

The missing Celtics provide a significant opportunity for new acquisitions Troy Murphy, Carlos Arroyo and Sasha Pavlovic, all signed to waiver-wire deals to audition for playoff rotation minutes. With Delonte West sidelined most of the season, the debut of Arroyo will help provide some much-needed rest for Rajon Rondo who has logged a team-leading 38 minutes per game this season.

The Clippers themselves have a changed lineup from the team that faced Boston in late February. Acquired from Cleveland in the Baron Davis trade, Mo Williams will be asked to get the ball to emerging star Blake Griffin while also replacing some of the scoring missed due to leading scorer Eric Gordon’s (23.7 ppg) wrist injury. Gordon recently returned to action only to be re-aggravate the same wrist and will be evaluated next week.

As the “Blake Show” makes it’s way through Boston, the Celtics would be wise to avoid overlooking this potential trap game as they continue building momentum towards the playoffs. The Clippers, like the Golden State Warriors last week play a high-paced style of basketball that has given the Celtics problems in the past. The Clippers would take great pride in claiming a win against Boston among their few team accomplishments in 2011.