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Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« on: March 15, 2016, 09:48:35 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Oklahoma City Thunder (45-22)Boston Celtics (39-28)
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
7:00 PM ET
Game #68, Road Game #35
TV: ESPN,  CSNNE, FSOK, TSN
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WWLS 98.1 FM
TD Garden



Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard

vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Russell Westbrook

Shooting Guard
vs
Avery Bradley vs Andre Roberson

Small Forward

  vs 
Marcus Smart vs Kevin Durant   

Power Forward
vs
Amir Johnson vs Serge Ibaka

Center
vs
Jared Sullinger vs Steven Adams


Celtics Reserves
Evan Turner
RJ Hunter
Jonas Jerebko
Coty Clarke
Jordan Mickey
Terry Rozier
James Young
Tyler Zeller

Head Coach
Brad Stevens

Injuries
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) day to day
Jae Crowder (ankle)  out




Thunder Reserves
Randy Foye
Nick Collison
Josh Huestis
Mitch McGary
Enes Kanter
Steve Novak
Kyle Singler
Cameron Payne
Dion Waiters
Nazr Mohammed
Anthony Morrow

Head Coach
Billy Donovan

Injuries

None

Game Notes
The Celtics return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second and final game this season.  The Thunder are on a 3 game road trip that will take them through Philadelphia  and Indiana after they begin the trip in Boston.  The Thunder are 18-13 on the road while the Celtics are 23-11 at home. 

In their first meeting in Oklahoma City, the Celtics beat the Thunder 100-85.  However, the Thunder were missing Kevin Durant in that game.  Now, with Durant back in the lilneup, the Thunder will be looking to avenge that loss. especially without Jae Crowder in the Celtics lineup to try to keep him in check. 

After their loss to the Pacers on Tuesday night, the Celtics are tied with the Heat, but remain in the 3rd spot by virtue of owning the tie breaker between the two teams.  The Heat are idle on Wednesday but will host the 6th place Hornets on Thursday.   The Celtics have fallen to 6.5 behind and are just 1 game ahead of 5th place Atlanta.  The Thunder are 3rd in the West, 11.5 games behind second place Spurs and 2 games ahead of the 4th place Clippers. 

Kelly Olynyk tried to give it a go on Tuesday night but still has some soreness in his shoulder and will once again be a game time decision for this game.  It would be a huge boost if he can return for this game.    Marcus Smart filled in for Jae Crowder against the Pacers and may also start once again against Kevin Durant or Brad Stevens may decide to go with another player to try to stop the former MVP.  The Thunder have no injuries reported. 

Key Matchups
vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has been a one man wrecking crew this season.   He is averaging 24.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.  He can score from outside as well as drive into the paint and if he gets double teamed, he will find the open man.   We may see Avery on Westbrook if Isaiah struggles to defend him. 

vs
Durant is a very tough matchup for anyone and without Crowder to keep him in check, Marcus is going to have to step up his defense to stay with him. Durant is averaging 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists.  Like Westbrook, he can score outside or take it to the hoop. And also like Westbrook, if he is doubled, he can find the open man who is likely to hit his shot. 

Honorable Mention
Amir Johnson vs Serge Ibaka
Ibaka is a tough matchup because he is athletic and can score inside and out.  He is averaging 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.   I think Mickey would matchup better with Ibaka, but then, that may just be my wishful thinking to get to see more of him. 

Keys to the Game
Rebound
- The Thunder lead the league in rebounding with 48.3 per game.  Their big front line of Durant, Ibaka and Adams (with Kanter off the bench) make it difficult for opposing teams to grab rebounds.  The Celtics need to put out some grit and hustle on the boards in order to prevent the Thunder from owning the boards 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 Thunder are 2nd in the league in scoring at 109.8 points per game.   If the Celtics allow them to get open shots, then they will have a tough time getting a win.   If there is one area where the Thunder are vulnerable it is in turnovers.  They are 5th in the league with 15.8 turnovers per game.  If the Celtics can force the Thunder to turn the ball over, they may turn to easy baskets. 

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 need to move the ball and find the open man.  The Thunder like to run and the Celtics will need to match their energy and run as well. 

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. 

Focus on Offense
- The Celtics biggest problem against the Rockets and the Pacers in their last 2 losses was their inability to hit shots they should make.  They missed them all -  layups, mid range, and long distance - shooting just 37% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc against the Rockets and 38.5% from the floor and 25% from beyond the arc vs the Pacers.   They must find a way to score because shooting that poorly won't win many games. 

X-Factors
Home Court - The Celtics saw an end to their 14 game win streak at home,  but they have played well there and they need to be energized by the home crowd and get back to winning in the Garden once again.

Officiating Factor
-  As I have said every game,  officiating is always an x-factor.  Will the refs let them play or call every little ticky tack foul?   Will they call it even or favor one of the teams?  Will they even be competent in making the calls?  The officiating is always like Forrest Gump's box of candy.  You never know what you are going to get.

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2016, 09:50:47 PM »

Offline A Future of Stevens

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First, great thread FLCeltsFan!!

Hopefully Marcus frustrates Westbrook again. Go celts!
#JKJB

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2016, 09:58:48 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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TP  A Future of Stevens for being the first to post in the game thread! 

Goooo Celtics!!!!!   

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2016, 11:34:02 PM »

Online hwangjini_1

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hey, why is greg kite playing center for the thunder?  ;D

thanks once more flc. a great thread to help our celtics rebound and stop the miserable thunderettes.  grrrrr.... >:(

tp for the thread, along with much appreciation for all you do here.

goooooo celtics!!  ;D
I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred.
- Vandana Shiva

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2016, 07:21:58 AM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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hey, why is greg kite playing center for the thunder?  ;D

thanks once more flc. a great thread to help our celtics rebound and stop the miserable thunderettes.  grrrrr.... >:(

tp for the thread, along with much appreciation for all you do here.

goooooo celtics!!  ;D
TP!  You always give me a smile with your posts!  I had to look but yes, in that photo, Adams does look a bit like Greg Kite.   Adams is a lot more hairy now so he's moved on from the Greg Kite look :)   
We need Crowder back aas soon as possible!!   He's the glue on this team! 

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2016, 08:54:43 AM »

Offline apc

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Smart vs Durant. i don't like this match up.  maybe Jerebko will work better.

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2016, 10:13:49 AM »

Offline Evantime34

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Last night the C's starters pretty much played the Pacers starters even. We will need that to happen tonight plus the bench to step up. Hopefully Kelly is back.

Rozier needs to play better tonight. I'd much rather see Young/Hunter than Clarke on the court, even if it's just for a 3 minute rotation like last night.

Zeller is trash, hopefully Olynyk is back and we won't need to see Zeller play so much tonight.
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Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2016, 01:33:59 PM »

Offline straightouttabahstun

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The Celtics' Instagram page just posted a pic of their st party's day jerseys. They're sleeveless again!! Those jerseys look so cool.

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2016, 03:21:52 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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No Crowder
No el win O ......he is just too important especically facing these hi powered playoff teams.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2016, 03:29:51 PM by SHAQATTACK »

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2016, 03:27:18 PM »

Online hwangjini_1

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The Celtics' Instagram page just posted a pic of their st party's day jerseys. They're sleeveless again!! Those jerseys look so cool.
what? did your computer run out of characters and you cant post a link?  ;)
I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred.
- Vandana Shiva

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2016, 04:36:25 PM »

Offline apc

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No updates on KO? enough is enough! you had your nice little vacation, now back to work!

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2016, 04:50:27 PM »

Offline Denis998

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I think it might be a good idea to have KO sit this one out. We dont want another Kevin Love situation happen to Kevin Durant.

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2016, 05:43:42 PM »

Offline alldaboston

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KO is playing.

And who are our ESPN announcers tonight? I hope it's Breen-Van Gundy
I could very well see the Hawks... starting Taurean Prince at the 3, who is already better than Crowder, imo.

you vs. the guy she tells you not to worry about

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2016, 06:12:18 PM »

Offline Rosco917

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Smart is way to small to deal with Durant. (I'm sure he'll give it one hell of a try)

I agree... Jerebko is a better choice.

Re: Thunder (45-22) at Celtics (39-28) Game #68 3/16/16
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2016, 06:16:28 PM »

Offline Quetzalcoatl

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No updates on KO? enough is enough! you had your nice little vacation, now back to work!

There have been a ton of articles about how he's going to try to play today:

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/celtics-kelly-olynyk-to-try-to-play/
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/brad-stevens-says-kelly-olynyk-to-give-it-go-tonight-for-boston-celtics-oklahoma-city-thunder

etc.  He's going to try to give it a go, but I don't want to see him come back and get reinjured because he rushed it.