Trail Blazers Host Celtics Amid Key Player Injuries

PORTLAND, Ore. — On Sunday, March 23, the Portland Trail Blazers (32-39) will host the Boston Celtics (51-19) at the Moda Center for an inter-conference regular-season matchup. This highly anticipated game features the Trail Blazers fighting for a play-in spot and the Celtics solidifying their position as contenders in the Eastern Conference.

The Trail Blazers enter the contest after a decisive 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets, thanks to a stellar 36-point performance by Deni Avdija. With four consecutive wins, including victories against playoff-bound teams, the Blazers have rallied to push within two games of the Phoenix Suns (34-37) and Dallas Mavericks (34-37) for a chance at the tenth seed in the Western Conference.

“We’ve had our ups and downs this season, but we’ve shown to be resilient,” Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said. “This stretch has been crucial for our confidence and our chances in the play-in tournament.” Expected starters for Portland include Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan.

However, the status of Simons, Jerami Grant, and Clingan remains unclear due to illness. Meanwhile, the Celtics come into the game after dominating the Utah Jazz, winning by 22 points, with Kristaps Porzingis recording an impressive 27-point, 10-rebound performance.

Operating with a robust 19-4 record since late January, Boston has excelled despite inconsistent performances from stars Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday. They maintain the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings, just behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We’re focused on pushing forward and increasing our chemistry heading towards the playoffs,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla remarked. Expected starters for the Celtics include Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis, although Jaylen Brown has been ruled out.

The Celtics’ long-range shooting has also been a standout feature, averaging 17.7 three-pointers made per game at a clip of 36.8%, along with holding opponents below 108 points per game, ranking them third in the league defensively. The Celtics’ lineup is bolstered by strong performances from players like Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, both of whom contributed significantly in their previous matchup against the Trail Blazers.

In their prior meeting, the Trail Blazers lost 128-118 to the Celtics on March 5, where Pritchard and White set a franchise record with 84 combined points. This was spearheaded by their impressive shooting, making a significant impact on the game’s outcome.

With potential injuries impacting the Celtics’ roster, predictions suggest the game could still be highly competitive. A betting trend shows the Blazers often excel at home, demonstrated by their 12th ranking in net rating over the last ten games.

Despite some key players unavailable, analysts suggest the Blazers, led by Avdija, could keep the game close, hence the recommended spread of Trail Blazers +6.5. This matchup, especially given the stakes for playoff positioning, promises to deliver excitement and unpredictability on the court.