Well, if the Celtics are going to win tonight they will have to do it without Rajon Rondo. Rondo was suspended two games yesterday following his Wednesday night scuffle with the Nets' Kris Humphries. Leandro Barbosa will likely start at point guard tonight. Any way, this is probably a good game for Rondo to miss. The C's will be hosting the 6-9 Portland Trail Blazers, who are also just 2-6 on the road. Going into tonight, the Celtics are 8-7 with a 4-4 home record.

5. STOP GREEN'S COLD STREAK:
Last Friday night, Jeff Green had a season-high 17 points in a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. In their last two games against Orlando and Brooklyn, he has had a combined three points with just one field goal. I have said a billion times that this guy can play well, but doesn't. The Celtics are better with Green, so make Green better.

4. HAVE SOMEBODY STEP UP IN PLACE OF RONDO:
Rondo is probably the Celtics' best player. Now that he's been suspended two games, who will step up tonight and tomorrow? Will it be Barbosa? Terry? Lee? We'll just have to find out.

3. BE SMART:
Whether Wednesday night's incident was Rondo's fault or not, it was stupid of him to lose his temper the way he did. If a guy pushes you tonight, don't push him back. Be the mature person and just walk away. The C's don't need more suspensions.

2. BETTER FIRST HALF:
The great Pat Summit once said that you can't win a game in the first half but you sure can lose one. Despite Rondo's ejection, they were still behind by double-digits going into halftime. Basically, what Boston has to do most is just stay in the game and then grind it out in the fourth quarter.

1. OUTSCORE THE TRAIL BLAZERS:
As always, you can't win without out-scoring the other team. Win by one or win by fifty, I don't care. Just win the game and get to 9-7.

Tip-off for tonight's game will be at 7:30 pm ET. It can be seen on CSN- New England and CSN- North West. Coverage will be available here at Celtics Green.