Post by Admin on Feb 9, 2020 12:58:15 GMT -5
Preview: Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder Game #52
The Celtics begin a 2 game road trip with a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a matinee game
By flceltsfan
Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics begin a stretch of games where they will play 6 of the next 7 games on the road. They visit the Oklahoma City Thunder for this game and then will play in Houston on Tuesday before returning home to play the LA Clippers. They will then embark on a 4 game Western road trip after the All Star break.
They visit the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first of two meetings this season. They will meet again in Boston on March 8. The Thunder has been one of the surprise teams this season. They weren’t expected to do much after losing Russell Westbrook, but they have surprised everyone and are in the midst of the playoff picture in the West.
The Celtics are 3rd in the East, 2 games ahead of the 4th place Miami Heat and 2 games behind 2nd place Toronto Raptors. They are 14-10 on the road and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are 11-6 against Western Conference teams. The Celtics have won their last 6 games, in spite of being short handed due to injuries.
The Thunder are 6th in the West, 1 game behind the 5th place Rockets and 1 game ahead of the 7th place Mavericks. The Thunder are 17-10 at home and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are 11-7 against Eastern Conference teams. The Thunder are about as healthy as they have been all season and have won 4 straight games. Both teams stood pat at the trade deadline.
Kemba Walker returned to the starting lineup against the Hawks and is probable for this game. Gordon Hayward missed the last game but is also probable for this game. Jaylen Brown (ankle) and Daniel Theis (ankle) are both questionable for this game All 4 will be a game time decision. Robert Williams (hip) will remain out for this game.
Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall are back with the Red Claws for a Saturday night game I believe that Carsen Edwards is with the Celtics. Marcus Smart and Enes Kanter should start in place of Jaylen Brown and Daniel Theis if they can’t play. Andre Roberson (knee) is the only player out for the Thunder.
The Celtics are 3rd in the East, 2 games ahead of the 4th place Miami Heat and 2 games behind 2nd place Toronto Raptors. They are 14-10 on the road and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are 11-6 against Western Conference teams. The Celtics have won their last 6 games, in spite of being short handed due to injuries.
The Thunder are 6th in the West, 1 game behind the 5th place Rockets and 1 game ahead of the 7th place Mavericks. The Thunder are 17-10 at home and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are 11-7 against Eastern Conference teams. The Thunder are about as healthy as they have been all season and have won 4 straight games. Both teams stood pat at the trade deadline.
Kemba Walker returned to the starting lineup against the Hawks and is probable for this game. Gordon Hayward missed the last game but is also probable for this game. Jaylen Brown (ankle) and Daniel Theis (ankle) are both questionable for this game All 4 will be a game time decision. Robert Williams (hip) will remain out for this game.
Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall are back with the Red Claws for a Saturday night game I believe that Carsen Edwards is with the Celtics. Marcus Smart and Enes Kanter should start in place of Jaylen Brown and Daniel Theis if they can’t play. Andre Roberson (knee) is the only player out for the Thunder.
Injuries/NWT
Robert Williams (hip) out
Daniel Theis (ankle) questionable
Jaylen Brown (ankle) questionable
Gordon Hayward (foot) probable
Kemba Walker (knee) probable
Robert Williams (hip) out
Daniel Theis (ankle) questionable
Jaylen Brown (ankle) questionable
Gordon Hayward (foot) probable
Kemba Walker (knee) probable
Key Matchups
Kemba Walker vs Chris Paul
Chris Paul’s veteran leadership is one of the reasons for the Thunder’s surprise success this season. He is averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He is shooting 47.9% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. He is always a threat to score both in the paint and on the perimeter.
Chris Paul’s veteran leadership is one of the reasons for the Thunder’s surprise success this season. He is averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He is shooting 47.9% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. He is always a threat to score both in the paint and on the perimeter.
Gordon Hayward vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander is another reason for the success of the Thunder. He is averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He is shooting 46.2% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc. Hayward needs to stay with him to prevent him from having a big game.
Gilgeous-Alexander is another reason for the success of the Thunder. He is averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He is shooting 46.2% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc. Hayward needs to stay with him to prevent him from having a big game.
Honorable Mention
Jayson Tatum vs Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari is also playing well for the Thunder. He is averaging 19.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He is shooting 43.9% from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc. Of all the Thunder, he is the one who is most likely to get hot from the perimeter. Jayson has been playing very well for the Celtics and in addition to his offense, the Celtics will need him to play tough defense on Gallinari.
Gallinari is also playing well for the Thunder. He is averaging 19.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He is shooting 43.9% from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc. Of all the Thunder, he is the one who is most likely to get hot from the perimeter. Jayson has been playing very well for the Celtics and in addition to his offense, the Celtics will need him to play tough defense on Gallinari.
Player to Watch
Dennis Schroder
Schroder comes off the bench and often plays down the stretch for the Thunder. He is averaging 19.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists. He is shooting 47.7% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him well as he can take over a game when he comes in.