How we see it goin’ down: Celtics vs Thunder

Tip: 1PM     Court: Chesapeake Energy Arena    Watch it: ABC    Hear it: WEEI

Referees:  Monty McCutchen, Jason Phillips and Scott Wall

Spread: OKC -10.5

Boston Celtics Tickets

The Matchup

Record: 34-27	Record: 46-16
On road: 12-18	At home: 27-4
Streak: Won 5	Streak: Won 4
Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (18.6 ppg)	Buckets: Kevin Durant (28.5 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (7.8 rpg)	Boards: Durant (7.8 rpg)
Dimes: Pierce (4.6 apg)	Dimes: Russell Westbrook (7.7 apg)
For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 102.5 (24th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 113.3 (1st NBA)
Defensive Rating: 102.1 (5th NBA)	Defensive Rating: 103.2 (8th NBA)
Pace: 91.4 (18th NBA)	Pace: 93.6 (8th NBA)

Last time

The Celtics beat OKC, 108-100, back in November. I may have been a bit premature claiming the win salvaged the season.

This time

Get it to:  Paul Pierce

The Truth is having one helluva month – 21.5 ppg, 51% FG, 8.5 rpg, 5.5 apg. We’re going to need every bit of that stat line and more to beat OKC. Kevin Durant may be the league most electrifying scorer, but he’s still average on defense.

Gotta stop:  Russell Westbrook

Kevin Durant is virtually unstoppable, so I’m targeting Westbrook. He will be playing against the Celtics strength – Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee. How the referees officiate Bradley’s physical defense will be a key factor.

The Wild Card: Jeff Green

Green is playing his first game in OKC since the trade to Boston. Will he play with an extra chip on his shoulder? Possibly, but Jeff generally plays with an even keel.

How we see it goin’ down

The Thunder are good. They are the league’s top offense and top 10 in defense. Oh, they’re also 27-4 at home.

It’s going to take a major effort to stop the Thunder in their building. The Celtics do hold an edge in bench production. The second unit needs to replicate the 46 points scored vs Atlanta for Boston to have a chance.

I just don’t see the Celtics sweeping the season series with OKC.

Thunder  106

Celtics  94