The 27-11 Boston Celtics aim for another three-game winning streak against the 14-27 Detroit Pistons, on a three-game losing streak of their own this Wednesday at TD Garden at 7pm ET.
Despite being in a four-way tie with the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards for ninth place in the East, rumbles that the franchise is pivoting to a rebuild are reflected in the team’s recent record, having won just three of their last 10 contests.
Second-place Boston, on the other hand, seems to be emerging out of a funk which took hold of the team around the start of the new year, the Celtics having won six of their last 10 games.
The Celtics will be playing without center Robert Williams III (hip) as he continues to recuperate, and he may be joined by big man Daniel Theis, who is listed as ‘questionable’ due to right knee soreness.
There is a chance forward Jayson Tatum sits as well, listed as ‘probable’ with the same issue the German center has been dealing with.
#NEBHInjuryReport for tomorrow vs. Detroit:
Jayson Tatum (Right Knee Soreness) – PROBABLE
Daniel Theis (Right Knee Soreness) – QUESTIONABLE
Robert Williams (Left Hip Bone Edema) – OUT— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 14, 2020
With the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks playing Boston the following evening, it wouldn’t be out of the question to give the Duke product a night to rest.
Tatum is currently the only Celtic who has not missed a game this season.
Detroit is without All-NBA forward Blake Griffin due to knee issues driving the pivot to a rebuild, and shooting guard Luke Kennard (knee) will also sit.
Center Christian Wood (right knee soreness), shooting guard Khyri Thomas (foot) and point guard Reggie Jackson (back) may also miss the tilt.
Boston has both a talent and health advantage in this contest, which is reflected by average online sportsbook spreads of -10.5 for the Celtics.
Detroit’s likeliest path to a win would simply be a return to the malaise haunting the Celtics slow starts earlier in the month, with Boston’s mind being on the looming showdown with the Bucks.
As long as the Celtics can stay focused on this game, a win should be forthcoming.
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