The Boston Celtics are gearing up for tonight’s home game against the lottery-destined New Orleans Pelicans.
Boston is coming off a loss to the rival New York Knicks on Thursday, albeit without league MVP candidate Jaylen Brown.
In Brown’s absence, the other Jay stepped up with a 24-point double-double. In the end, the Celtics fell just short after a pair of clutch New York 3-pointers powered the home team to victory.
Boston could have locked up the second-seed with a win, but now turns its attention to tonight in what should be a virtually stress-free game.
The Pelicans don’t have much to play for other than better draft lottery odds, but let’s not tackle that conversation at this time.
It is almost time for Celtics basketball, so let’s see who gets the nod from coach Joe Mazzulla to start things off.
Boston Celtics Roll Out Starting Five for Tonight’s Game
The Celtics have tinkered with different lineups over the season due to injuries. Fortunately, the team seems to be heading in the right direction when it comes to being whole again.
Boston has battled injuries to many of its key players this season. The biggest story, of course, has been Jayson Tatum and the miraculous return he made early last month.
The team has also seen injuries to Brown, Derrick White and the recently-acquired Nikola Vucevic, who recently came back after missing several weeks with a ring finger fracture.
Hopefully the injury bug is behind the C’s for now.
To start tonight’s game, coach Mazzulla is rolling out White, Brown, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta.
Tatum, still working his way back to full form and not yet participating in back-to-backs will not be in uniform tonight. He could play in Boston’s season finale against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, but his final playing status won’t be confirmed until tomorrow evening or potentially later.
C’s Get Great News on Brown
Initially seeing his status for tonight’s game in doubt, Brown has been upgraded to available ahead of tipoff. The 29-year-old Boston star was originally listed as questionable with Achilles tendinitis, which he has been dealing with over the last couple of weeks.
Fortunately, the injury doesn’t seem to be major. The games Brown has missed have largely been due to rest. After all, the Celtics want their MVP candidate to be at full strength entering a pressure-packed postseason.
As for tonight, Boston cannot afford to lolly-gag and potentially fumble an easy-peasy win.
A victory tonight would secure the No. 2 seed for the Celtics. Expect coach Mazzulla to demand energy and intensity from his guys as soon as the ball gets tossed in the air at halfcourt.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tonight at TD Garden.
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