Celtics (30-36) at Thunder (37-30) Game #67 3/18/15

[FLCeltsFan]

  vs 
Boston Celtics (30-36) at Oklahoma City Thunder (37-30)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
8:00 PM ET
Game #67, Road Game #33
TV: CSNNE, FSOK, NBA-LP 761(DTV)/757(Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WWLS 98.1 FM
Chesapeake Energy Arena


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Marcus Smart vs Russell Westbrook

Shooting Guard
vs
Avery Bradley vs Andre Roberson

Small Forward
vs
Evan Turner vs Dion Waiters

Power Forward
vs
Brandon Bass vs Enes Kanter

Center
vs




Celtics Reserves
Gerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
James Young
Phil Pressey
Shavlik Randolph
Isaiah Thomas
Jonas Jerebko
Gigi Datome
Kelly Olynyk

Injuries
Jared Sullinger (foot) out
Isaiah Thomas (back,elbow) out

Head Coach
Brad Stevens


Thunder Reserves
DJ Augustin
Nick Collison
Perry Jones
Jeremy Lamb
Mitch McGary
Anthony Morrow
Steve Novak
Kyle Singler

Injuries
Serge Itaka (knee)  out
Kevin Durant (foot) out

Game Notes
The Celtics bring their 5 game win streak on the road for a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder.   Both teams are fighting to make the playoffs, both had a roster overhaul at the trade deadline and both are dealing with injuries. 

The Thunder have been missing Kevin Durant, who has been out much of the season with foot injuries.  He has been able to begin practice once again and there is a slight chance he may return Wednesday, but hopefully they will be cautious with him and give him another game to rest.  Serge Ibaka has missed the past 3 games and will be out 4-6 weeks after having surgery on his knee.  The Celtics are still without their spark plug Isaiah Thomas and Jared Sullinger will miss the rest of the season. 

The Celtics have won 5 straight for the first time in 2 years.  They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and 12-20 on the road.  The Thunder have won their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents.  They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and 23-9 at home. 

This is the second and final game between these two teams.   The Thunder won the first meeting in Boston 109-94.  Both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant missed that game.  The Celtics starting line up included Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger, and Kendrick Perkins was coming off the bench for the Thunder. 

Key Matchups
vs
Marcus Smart vs Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has been a one man wrecking crew since the All Star break.  With Durant out, he is taking on more of the load for OKC.  Since the break, he is averaging 32.5 points, 10.8 assists and 10.0 rebounds.  It will be up to both Smart and Bradley to some how slow him down. 

  vs 
Brandon Bass vs Enes Kanter
Although new to the Thunder since the trade deadline, Kanter is playing very well.  He is averaging 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds for the season.  As he has gotten used to OKC's system, he has been putting up some big numbers, particularly in his last two games.  Against Dallas, he had 19 points and 13 rebounds and against Chicago he had 18 points and 18 rebounds. 

Keys to the Game
Rebound - The Thunder lead the league in rebounding with 47.7 per game.  Their big front line of Kanter and Adams make it difficult for opposing teams to grab rebounds. The Celtics will need to put extra effort into crashing the boards as a team.  Much of rebounding is effort and desire and they have to show both if they hope to have a chance in this game. 

Defense - Defense is always a key to winning.  The Celtics will need to defend the perimeter as well as the inside because they have players who can score both inside and out. The Celtics have been playing good defense and they will need to continue that in this game.  If the Thunder have one weakness, it may be turning the ball over.  They have allowed 57 points off of turnovers in their last 2 games.  The Celtics need to be active on defense and try to force turnovers.   

Pace and Space - The Celtics need to set the pace and continue to run and to move the ball. When they slow down, they aren't near as effective as when they are running on every possession. They also can't play hero ball. They are best as a team, moving the ball, finding the open man and sharing the scoring.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics have to be aggressive and fight for loose balls, 50/50 balls, rebounds, and be aggressive on defense and in going to the hoop.  They have to be the more aggressive team and the one that wants it more. 

X-Factors
Focus on the Road and Effort
The Celtics need to keep their focus and not let the distractions on the road derail them.  They have to play with the same effort that they have in their 5 game win streak.  They can't let the absence of Durant and Ibaka make them relax.  If they can keep their focus and bring the effort, they have a good chance of winning. 

[Nerf DPOY]

A little random but the Suns(who I had forgotten about since the trade deadline) are only 2.5 back of OKC and NOP in the 8 spot.

[FLCeltsFan]

TP Nerf DPOY for being the first to post in the game thread. 

[Nerf DPOY]

TP Nerf DPOY for being the first to post in the game thread.

Oh back atcha FLCF! That's a solid picture of Steven Adams mustache BTW.

[jdz101]

Usually I wouldn't think there'd be a chance against OKC away. No durant and Ibaka and theres definitely a sniff now.

[j804]

Usually I wouldn't think there'd be a chance against OKC away. No durant and Ibaka and theres definitely a sniff now.

They didn't look good when I saw them against Dallas. If Rondo gave Russell fits can't wait to see Smart on him. I know he's been matched up against him before but Smarts improved since then.

[jpotter33]

TP Nerf DPOY for being the first to post in the game thread.

Oh back atcha FLCF! That's a solid picture of Steven Adams mustache BTW.

Haha that was the first thing I noticed, too.

[celticslove]

i think that we have a chance of beating this team without KD and Serge, excited to see if Marcus can hang with RW defensively.

[Monkhouse]

TP FLCelts for the lovely work as usual

Westbrook is their go to guy, so honestly we should do plenty of help or trap defense on him.

It'll be a very fun game to watch .

[SHAQATTACK]

Adams and Kanter will beat on KO like a little red headed step child.


Adams with the skin flick star " mustache 

[celticslove]

Adams and Kanter will beat on KO like a little red headed step child.


Adams with the "**** star " mustache 

Brandon will slap them both with them holy hands.lol

[Monkhouse]

No Ibaka is gonna hurt them defensively.

Regardless OKC still has Westbrook, Adams, and Waiters.

[Q_FBE]

There could be an opportunity to pick-off another good team on the road. The Celtics have been finding some success against the bubble teams on the road lately. It is those road games against bottom feeders that I worry about. If Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley have big games tomorrow, there is a chance the Celtics win in OKC and take a big step forward. Getting a win on this I-35 trip would be nice as they are 0 and 2 on I-35 (losses @ Dallas and @ Minnesota)

[manl_lui]

No Ibaka is gonna hurt them defensively.

Regardless OKC still has Westbrook, Adams, and Waiters.

I like Smart on Westbrook and Bradley on Dion

I think Westbrook is going to go off tonight (actually he's been going off for the past 10+ games), but hopefully Smart gives him enough pressure for him to jack most of his shots

I'd be satisfied if Westbrook scores 30 or whatever he scores but at like 30% 

Westbrook is 6'3 @ 190
Smart is 6'4 @ 220

I also think there's a chance Smart will foul out tonight

[jpotter33]

No Ibaka is gonna hurt them defensively.

Regardless OKC still has Westbrook, Adams, and Waiters.

I like Smart on Westbrook and Bradley on Dion

I think Westbrook is going to go off tonight (actually he's been going off for the past 10+ games), but hopefully Smart gives him enough pressure for him to jack most of his shots

I'd be satisfied if Westbrook scores 30 or whatever he scores but at like 30% 

Westbrook is 6'3 @ 190
Smart is 6'4 @ 220

I also think there's a chance Smart will foul out tonight

Yeah, Westbrook getting star calls and Smart's physical D doesn't go together well.