The Oklahoma City Thunder have won 10 consecutive home games and the Boston Celtics have lost six of seven games to fall below .500. SportsOptions.com offers up a betting preview and free pick.
Boston at Oklahoma City (no line available)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
THE STORY: Oklahoma City’s homecourt success is the franchise’s best streak since the team won 12 straight during the 1997-98 season when known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Boston scored only 73 points in Monday’s loss to Dallas. Forward Kevin Garnett is expected back after missing the past two games for personal reasons.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, CS New England (Celtics), FS Oklahoma (Thunder)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (15-16): Boston will again be without point guard Rajon Rondo, who is serving a two-game suspension for throwing the ball at an official after being upset with a call during Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons. Rondo missed the Dallas game with Avery Bradley starting and contributing 12 points and two assists. “You’re always disappointed when that happens,” coach Doc Rivers said of Rondo losing his composure. “You should never put yourself in front of the team. But the game is an emotional game.”
ABOUT THE THUNDER (25-7): Serge Ibaka has been a rejection machine this month while averaging 4.8 blocks in 12 games. He has blocked 10 or more shots three times, including a historic performance of 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks in an overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. The triple-double involving blocks was the first in the combined history of the SuperSonics/Thunder franchise. Ibaka leads the NBA with 3.3 blocks per game and also averages 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Celtics have won four consecutive road games in the series, but the Thunder won in Boston 97-88 on Jan. 16 in this season’s first meeting.
2. Durant is averaging 26.8 points in eight career games against the Celtics.
3. Boston center Jermaine O’Neal (wrist) and forward Chris Wilcox (groin) were hurt during the Dallas game and are uncertain participants.
PREDICTION: Thunder 105, Celtics 87
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