Celtics vs. Thunder: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Boston Celtics are trying to end their ugly slump, but a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder isn't going to help.
Boston's Big Three is finally back on the court together with the return of Kevin Garnett, but Rajon Rondo is serving the second game of his two-game suspension and will be sorely missed.
The Thunder, meanwhile, have won three straight games and have the second-best record in the NBA.
Oklahoma City's youthful group is the exact opposite of Boston's aging vets; this could easily be another loss for the Celtics.
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
When: 7 p.m. ET, February 22, 2012
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN3
Betting Line: Thunder -9 (according to Scores and Odds)
Key Injuries (via StatFox)
Rajon Rondo, G, Celtics - Out (Suspension)
Kevin Garnett, F, Celtics - Probable (Personal)
Brandon Bass, F, Celtics - Out (Knee)
James Harden, F, Thunder - Questionable (Ankle)
Kendrick Perkins, C, Thunder - Probable (Foot)
What They're Saying
Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald writes:
"At least they get Kevin Garnett back tonight.
Forget, for a moment, that the Celtics’ next opponents are the Thunder, and their chances of a fifth straight loss carry the same odds as another Jeremy Lin headline.
With their defensive leader back in place after a three-game absence, at least the Celtics will have more cohesion. Though Rajon Rondo is about to serve the back end of his two-game suspension, and Brandon Bass isn’t expected back until Feb. 28 in Cleveland at the earliest, a little clarity is better than complete fog.
“We just have to get our guys back,” coach Doc Rivers said. “The season is long. Who wants to be a game under .500 going into Oklahoma? Having said that, we’ll get Kevin back, which is huge for us with Paul and Ray. After the break Brandon will be back, and then we have to make a run.”
"
Most Important Player: Paul Pierce, Celtics
With Rondo out of the game, the Celtics are going to have to rely on Pierce to handle the basketball more than usual. On top of that, he'll have to cover Kevin Durant, one of the premium scorers in all of basketball.
The Celtics captain is going to have to shoulder the scoring load, basically playing point guard and covering one of the league's best players.
Boston won't win if Pierce doesn't dominate the game.
Key Matchup: Pierce vs. Kevin Durant
Covering Durant is nearly impossible as is; having to cover him while having carry a team is the essentially the definition of impossible.
Durant knows how valuable Pierce is to the Celtics and will likely attack relentlessly tonight.
If Pierce doesn't play great tonight, both offensively and defensively, the Celtics will be overrun easily.
Prediction: Thunder 102, Celtics 88
