Tonight's miscellany:

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Celtics (8-2), Wizards (3-6)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Probable starters:

Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Shaquille O'Neal

Wizards:
PG: Kirk Hinrich
SG: Gilbert Arenas
SF: Al Thornton
PF: Andray Blatche
C: Javale McGee

Storylines:

Speed kills: John Wall (sprained left foot) is questionable for tonight's game, but he made the trip to Boston and the Wizards are hopeful he'll play (Wall moved fine without a walking boot yesterday but did not play in the team's win over Toronto). If Wall plays, he'll provide a marquee matchup with Rajon Rondo. Of course, these are exactly the matchups in which Rondo seems to thrive.

Go West, [aging] men: Delonte West returns to the Celtics lineup tonight. He'll back up Rondo and lead the second unit but will more likely be paired alongside him in some lineups. West's timing is good, as Marquis Daniels (personal matter) is not likely to play tonight. Look for steady passing, defense, and shooting -- in that order -- from West tonight.

Big problem: The Wizards do not match up well with Shaquille O'Neal, but Shaq does not match up well with the Wizards. JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche gave Kevin Garnett fits last season, so imagine what the energetic forwards will do to Shaq. Look for, of course, a lot of Glen Davis tonight. As Paul Pierce said yesterday, the Wizards are exactly the kind of team that gave the Celtics trouble last season.