Thunder vs Celtics: Pregame Primer

Ryan Woods -

vs.

Thunder (2-6, 0-5 road) at Celtics (3-3, 2-1 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 6:30 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 98.5 (28th), Celtics – 110.5 (7th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 105.8 (18th), Celtics – 110.1 (25th)

On to the next.

The Celtics come in on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Boston through the first six games of its season has been great on offense (106.3 ppg, 2nd in the league) and poor on defense (106 opp ppg, 27th in the league).

Four Celtics come in averaging double-figures and all are in the lineup tonight:

Jeff Green – 19.7 ppg, Avery Bradley – 15.5 ppg, Jared Sullinger 14.5 ppg, Kelly Olynyk 13.3 ppg.

Boston, like Oklahoma City, is experiencing injury issues coming into tonight’s game with Rajon Rondo (left hand surgery) and Marcus Thornton (sprained ankle) listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

If Rondo can’t go it will be interesting to see where the Celtics get his 8.4 assists per game from against Oklahoma City’s defense.

Meanwhile the Thunder just missed another jump shot somewhere. I mean, goodness gracious that was hard to watch. Even Ish Smith’s three-pointer off the glass felt like a miss. But tonight is an opportunity to get back on track against a team that allows 106 points per game and may be playing without its all-star point guard.

Tuesday’s COTN: Brooks: “Reggie, pass it to Morrow.”

Reggie: “Gotcha. I’ll pass it tomorrow.” @duhsweetness

In his season debut the ‘Morrow pun was played. Well done.

3 Big Things

1. Tempo. The Celtics rank fourth in pace, looking to get as many possessions as possible. Reggie Jackson can do a number to this Celtic team by controlling the tempo, and getting good looks that the Thunder can convert. Making shots and setting the defense is a good way to slow Boston down.

2. Lamb. Oof. Lamb was pretty baaaaaad (I’ll show myself out) last night. His shooting form is fine, but his confidence seems to be an invisible trait that we can all read like it’s in CAPS LOCK. He has to play well in this stretch without Westbrook and Durant. He simply has to.

3. Rotations. Morrow was on a minutes restriction last night, which put Smith in to close the game. If that’s still the case tonight it will be interesting to see how or if Brooks manages his minutes to keep him available for the 4th quarter.

Tip at 6:30 CT. Go stop the bleeding.