The Celtics proceed their street journey as they go to the Thunder in Oklahoma Metropolis. That is the second and last recreation between these two groups. The Celtics gained the primary assembly 126-122 in Boston on November 14. The Celtics gained the collection 2-0 final season, profitable each at residence and on the street. The Celtics are 15-14 towards the Thunder within the OKC period. They’re 8-5 in OKC and 7-9 in Boston.
The Celtics are first within the East, 1 recreation forward of the 2nd place Brooklyn Nets, who’ve gained 12 straight video games. They’re 2.5 video games forward of the third place Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics are 11-6 on the street and 5-5 of their final 10 video games. They’re 11-3 towards Japanese Convention opponents. The Celtics had gained 4 straight video games earlier than shedding the primary recreation on the street journey to the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder are thirteenth within the West. They’re 2.5 video games behind the tenth place Utah Jazz and 4 video games behind the ninth place Golden state Warriors. They’re 6 video games forward of final place Houston. The Thunder are 10-9 at residence and 4-6 of their final 10 video games. They’re 6-9 towards Japanese Convention opponents.
The Celtics are enjoying within the 2nd recreation of a 4 recreation Western street journey. They may play the Mavericks and the Spurs earlier than heading again residence. The Thunder are enjoying of their 2nd straight residence recreation. That is the primary of again to again video games for them and they’ll play the Orlando Magic on the street on Wednesday night time.
Danilo Gallinari stays out for the Celtics because the rehabs his torn ACL. Robert Williams was added to the harm checklist as questionable on account of harm administration for the knee that saved him out for the primary a part of the season. For the Thunder, Ousmane Dieng (wrist), Chet Holmgren (foot), Aleksej Pokusevski (leg), and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) are all out.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
PG: Marcus SmartSG: Derrick WhiteSF: Jaylen BrownPF: Jayson TatumC: Al Horford
Celtics ReservesMalcolm BrogdonGrant WilliamsSam HauserPayton PritchardBlake GriffinJustin JacksonNoah VonlehLuke Kornet
2 Approach PlayersJD DavisonMfiondu Kabengele
Out/InjuriesDanilo Gallinari (ACL) outRobert Williams III (knee) questionable
Head Coach (Interim)Joe Mazzulla
Possible Thunder Starters
Grid View
PG: Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderSG: Josh GiddeySF: Lugentz DortPF: Jalen WilliamsC: Jaylin Williams
Thunder ReservesDarius BazleyIsaiah JoeTre Mann Mike MuscalaAaron WigginsKenrich Williams
2 Approach Gamers Eugene OmoruyiLindy Waters III
Out/Accidents Pokusevski_Aleksej (leg) out Ousmane Dieng (wrist) outChet Holmgren (foot) out Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) out
Head Coach Mark Daigneault
Key Matchups
Grid View
Marcus Sensible vs Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderMarcus Sensible can have his fingers full making an attempt to defend Gilgeous-Alexander who’s averaging 30.8 factors, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 block per recreation. He’s taking pictures 49.9% from the sector and 35.4% from past the arc. Within the first recreation towards the Celtics, he completed with 37 factors, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. The Celtics must discover a technique to sluggish him down.
Grid View
Jaylen Brown vs Josh GiddeyGiddey is averaging 14.9 factors, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 46.7% from the sector and 32.6% from past the arc. Within the first recreation towards the Celtics, he completed with 16 factors, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and 1 block. Giddey is an effective throughout participant and the Celtics want to stick with him to sluggish him down and maintain him off the boards.
Honorable MentionJaylen Brown vs Lugentz DortDort is averaging 13.9 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation. He’s taking pictures 40.5% from the sector and 32.6% from past the arc. Within the first recreation towards the Celtics he completed with 21 factors, 5 rebounds and 1 help.
Keys to the Sport Protection – Protection is at all times a key to profitable. The Thunder common 115.8 factors per recreation (tenth) and they’re eleventh with a defensive score of 112.1. The Celtics common 118.6 factors per recreation (1st) and they’re seventh with a defensive score of 110.6. The Celtics protection left a lot to be desired towards the Nuggets as they allowed them to shoot 57% from the sector and 56.7% from past the arc. The Celtics must tighten up their protection and make enjoying protection a precedence as soon as once more. The Celtics must particularly defend the paint because the Thunder are third within the league with 55.4 factors within the paint per recreation.
Rebound – Rebounding can be a key to profitable. The Celtics must rebound on the defensive finish to maintain the Thunder from getting second probability factors and they should rebound on the offensive finish to present themselves further possessions. The Thunder are eighth with 44.6 rebounds per recreation whereas the Celtics are twelfth with 43.8 rebounds per recreation. A lot of rebounding is need and energy and the Celtics as a staff must put within the further effort to seize rebounds.
Take Care of the Ball – The Celtics must maintain their focus and never flip the ball over. The Thunder are 2nd within the league with 19.7 factors off turnovers per recreation. The Celtics have to maneuver the ball however make cautious passes and never get sloppy. In addition they must bear in mind when dribbling the ball in order to not permit the Thunder to get steals. The Thunder will make them pay in the event that they get sloppy and switch the ball over.
Be Aggressive and Keep Targeted – The Celtics must be aggressive and combat for free balls, 50/50 balls, and rebounds, and be aggressive on protection and in going to the ring, particularly if the threes aren’t falling as soon as once more. They must be the extra aggressive staff and the staff that performs more durable. The Thunder play exhausting and by no means quit and the Celtics must play more durable and never let up till the ultimate buzzer. In addition they have to remain centered on taking and making good photographs. The Celtics want to point out extra effort than they did towards the Nuggets.
X-Components On the Street – The Celtics are enjoying of their 2nd straight street recreation. The Celtics have the benefit of getting a largely wholesome roster whereas the Thunder have the benefit of being at residence in entrance of their followers. Can the Celtics overcome the distractions of enjoying on the street and get a win on this one?
Officiating – Officiating is at all times an x-factor. How the refs name the sport has an enormous affect on how the groups play. Will they allow them to play or name each little little bit of contact? Will they name it evenly or will they favor one staff or the opposite. All of it results the end result of the sport and the Celtics must play the fitting approach and never permit the officiating to take them out of their recreation. The refs have been fast to name techs for complaining this season and the Celtics must do not forget that. Additionally, they need to by no means be caught complaining to the refs whereas the opposite staff goes in for a rating.
