The Boston Celtics are set to host the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden on Monday night as they embark on a four-game homestand. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as it marks the return of Jrue Holiday to Boston after spending nine seasons with the team. Holiday recently made his comeback for the Blazers following a two-month stint off the court due to a calf strain. He contributed significantly in his last outing with 21 points and seven assists, although his minutes may be limited in this game.
The Celtics approach this matchup with a record of 28-17 and are looking to bounce back after splitting a road back-to-back series in Brooklyn and Chicago over the weekend. The team has shown resilience, winning four of their last five games before facing the Bulls. Notably, Jaylen Brown was a standout performer in Chicago, scoring 33 points despite dealing with hamstring tightness. His endurance was evident as he played for 46 minutes during the double-overtime thriller against the Nets.
For the Trail Blazers, currently standing at 23-23, the recent performance has been promising—they’ve won seven of their last ten games. Anfernee Simons, another former Celtic, will be looking to make an impact as he faces his old team. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a win, emphasizing the importance of a unified effort regardless of the challenges faced in their previous games.
The Celtics will face the challenge of the Trail Blazers, who recently played without their leading scorer Deni Avdija due to a back strain but are expecting him to return for this matchup. Their previous meeting this season ended in a 114-108 victory for Portland, with Shaedon Sharpe’s impressive performance contributing to the Blazers’ success.
With tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game airing on NBC Sports Boston and Peacock, fans can anticipate a competitive matchup as the Celtics look to establish dominance at home. The Celtics will aim to continue their strong performance while the Trail Blazers seek to maintain their momentum as they venture into this pivotal game.