Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference will clash when the Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics in a marquee Thursday night matchup. With the potential for these teams to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals, both squads will aim to establish dominance in this contest.
Boston enters this game on the second leg of a back-to-back, having played the Detroit Pistons at home Wednesday night. This marks the Celtics first road game in a week, having played three home contests since their road defeat last Thursday to the Philadelphia 76ers. How the Celtics cope with the travel demands heading into this game will be key, as Boston looks to utilize its balanced attack led by Kemba Walker to cool off one of the hottest teams in the league.
Milwaukee has won nine of its last 10 games and has only lost twice at home. The Bucks last game was a 128-102 drubbing of the New York Knicks at home on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 37 points in that game, as four scorers reached double figures for a Bucks team that was able to empty its bench in the late stages. Having an extra day of rest in hand combined with the rest late against the Knicks could be advantageous to the Bucks in this potential playoff preview.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
A potential free agent in a thin market, veteran forward Gordon Hayward’s future with the Boston Celtics is a looming concern as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.
Should the Boston Celtics seriously consider trading Gordon Hayward?
It’s a question Celtics fans should have on their mind as the February 6 deadline approaches, as the Butler product will be able to opt out of his contract and walk for free should an appealing team have or open up enough cap space to steal away the 10-year veteran.
There’s also an argument to be made that Boston is holding itself back developmentally by directing touches away from the Jays, as we have come to call fourth-year wing Jaylen Brown and third-year swingman Jayson Tatum.
These are questions raised by Ryan Bernardoni, former Editor-in-Chief of Celtics Hub and current capologist emeritus that had Celtics Twitter (where he is better known by the handle @Dangercart) abuzz recently.
Ok, we’ve seen the Jays flourish for a while and the team struggle for rhythm with Hayward back. They probably can’t afford to keep Kemba+Jays+Hayward long-term.
They have a month to decide if they can trade Hayward to re-balance and develop the Jays.
In response to the debate, Bernardoni laid out a case that a combination of factors (Hayward’s age, the need for touches, potentially expiring contract and interest from other teams) which could make a case for dealing the Indiana native this season.
“In short, he’s played himself into the sweet spot where a player can most easily be traded,” explains Bernardoni.
“The Celtics don’t have long-term control of his contract, he’s in the band between “mild negative” and “slight positive” contract value, and the team has cover at his position in the form of two young borderline All Stars and a rookie lottery pick.”
The data supports the idea that more touches are correlated with better performances by the Jays — of their five top performances, the majority came on nights where Boston was missing either Hayward or All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker, and virtually all of them were in wins.
It’s also worth noting this is regular-season basketball, and Boston would be making moves to win championships.
Here too, Bernardoni makes a solid case that the team as currently constructed isn’t going to rise to the bar of a typical champion, lacking an MVP-caliber player — and yes, he noted the 2004 Detroit Pistons anomaly, before you ask.
It’s possible that with no clearly-dominant favorite to win it all, this season may be as close to what produced that Pistons title. It’s also possible one or more such teams takes shape as the deadline draws close. It’s also possible this season is unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Time is like that, always throwing you curveballs.
Before dragging out the dreaded “t” word, the question of whether the Celtics would want Hayward to re-sign is brought up. If he does hit free agency this summer, it could end up sending him back to us on a bargain long-term deal if interest is tepid.
But it could also force the Celtics to choose between signing a contract they know will be a negative value at the end or losing Hayward for nothing in the same scenario we saw unfold with Al Horford last summer.
Not an ideal scenario, to say the least.
When I say they should consider trading Hayward it has little to do with how good he “looks” and not much to do with where they’re going this season.
Maximizing development of the Jays is the important thing and anyone who can read birthdays or a salary table should see that.
But it may be the path Boston must follow unless they can find a deal that would make sense for all parties, and that is easier said than done. Even still, Bernardoni floats a few interesting options.
The most interesting is a deal centered around the Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner and wing Jeremy Lamb.
It would be a costly deal, likely requiring the Memphis first-round pick and another first as a sweetener, as Indiana has been playing well and have not shown inclination too deal either player despite rumbles Turner might be dealt earlier in the season.
It would add a center on the same age curve as the Jays who eats up boards and can protect the rim with feet fast enough to cover smaller, faster players in short spurts. It also adds a veteran wing with established chemistry playing next to fellow UConn product Kemba Walker both in college and in the NBA.
Lamb’s second-unit scoring and Turner’s defense are probably about as good as the Celtics could have a shot at landing, and while I don’t think the move would make Boston title favorites, you’d also probably be able to spin off Lamb later when extending Jayson Tatum raises the pending tax bill considerably.
Another intriguing proposal would be Hayward for New Orleans Pelicans center Derrick Favors and veteran shooting guard J.J. Reddick.
This has the same general benefits as the prior deal, but with less time to decide on what to do with Reddick (he is signed for one season beyond this one to Lamb’s two), and Favors’ health is an added concern. It’d likely also cost two firsts, but Boston might be able to pull such a deal off without the Memphis pick.
The Chicago Bulls’ Otto Porter and one of Lauri Markkanen or Wendell Carter Jr. is another intriguing idea, though the cost is hard to gauge, as none of these players seem of interest to the Bulls to deal at present.
Markkanen has regressed a bit under coach Jim Boylan and could perhaps be seen as tradeable while still having potential in a better situation.
Carter Jr.’s Horford-like defensive skills would be ideal, but likely very costly to acquire if his contract is even on the table. Porter, as an expiring, would be a short-term rental clearing space for Tatum’s extension.
I touched on this in my Wendell Carter defense story — Plays like this, where he's able to match up with Giannis in the open court and contest without fouling, are so impressive. Forced the jump ball with Giannis going full speed, you almost never see that. pic.twitter.com/656QPlGG4x
A deal for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Robert Covington and Gorgui Dieng does similar work as the other proposed deals, though the ages of both (29) imply more of a win-now perspective.
Another, for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Steven Adams and Dennis Schröder, does little to eliminate the threat of losing talent to free agency. Adams has the same player option this summer, and Schröder is on the books for one season beyond this one.
The deal would act as a scaffold into a future where the Jays are enough to contend, but it’s a fair question to ask whether we’ve seen enough from either to make such an assumption a wise one.
The looming question is a most difficult one, and without a “right” answer, given counterfactual projections don’t tell us anything with certainty.
It is one the front office will need to make in the coming weeks, as doing nothing is committing to a specific range of outcomes with enough about them similar to last summer that it ought to give any fan paying attention pause.
With the recent decade now suddenly in the rearview mirror, we looked at the top player who defined the 2010s for each team in the NBA.
With the recent decade now suddenly in the rearview mirror, we looked at the top player who defined the 2010s for each team in the NBA.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
(Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Paul Milsap, Jeff Teague
The Atlanta Hawks were defined by their depth under former head coach Mike Budenholzer. It is what helped their entire starting lineup earn Eastern Conference Co-Players of the Month back in January 2015. But the best player during this era was Al Horford. The big man averaged 15.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game from the 2010-11 season until he left the team during the 2016 offseason.
Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Al Horford, Isaiah Thomas
Even though he won the 2008 NBA championship and the Finals MVP in 2008, Paul Pierce went on to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team three more times this decade. Before he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2013, he was averaging 18.9 points and 5.6 rebounds with 4.1 assists this decade. Pierce even had a chance to officially retire with the organization on a one-day contract in July 2017.
Brooklyn Nets: Brook Lopez
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson
Before they were the franchise that managed to sign both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the same offseason, the Nets were long led by Brook Lopez. He was a member of the team both in New Jersey and in their move to the new home in Brooklyn back in 2012, which was his first and only career All-Star appearance. During his tenure with the team this decade, the big man put up 19.7 points and 6.6 rebounds as well as 1.7 blocks per game.
Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Marvin Williams, Nicolas Batum
During a tough decade for the Hornets, the one thing that kept them alive and interesting was star point guard Kemba Walker. He was a part of the team as a member of the Bobcats and then when they rebranded as the Hornets. Walker was a two-time All-Star as well as a two-time recipient of the NBA Sportsmanship Award. The guard averaged 19.9 points, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the team during the decade before he joined the Celtics.
Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler
(Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah
When former No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose won MVP in 2011 at 22 years old, fans in Chicago fairly assumed they would have a new defining talent for their city. Unfortunately, serious injuries made the point guard become a less impactful player than projected. However, the blow was softened a bit with the sudden emergence of a late first-round pick in Jimmy Butler. The wing won the league’s Most Improved Player in 2015. He was a difference-maker on both sides of the ball, averaging 15.6 points and 1.5 steals per game with the Bulls.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love
Considering that Cleveland’s hometown hero LeBron James notably left the Cavaliers as a free agent in 2010, few would have expected him to still be the Player of the Decade for this franchise. After such an ugly exit memorialized forever with a public shaming by team owner Dan Gilbert, though, James is a player who more than made up for the first early goodbye when he actually returned in 2014. All that he had to do was win the city’s first championship in any sport since 1948. In the process, he averaged an absurd 26.1 points per game with 7.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists for the Cavs in the 2010s.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Shawn Marion, Luka Doncic
Even though he was drafted in 1998, the undisputed most important in the career of Dirk Nowitzki happened in 2011 when he won a title and NBA Finals MVP. While his best playing days may have been before this decade, he still managed to be a perennial All-Star. The face of the franchise, he also won the league’s award for Teammate of the Year in 2017. His presence was felt, too, during his final season in the league as he helped ease the transition into the new era led by fellow European star Luka Doncic.
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokic
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Kenneth Faried, Ty Lawson
The Denver Nuggets may have hit the lottery when they selected Serbian big man Nikola Jokic with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Jokic is a talent like no other in the league and has become one of the more versatile players in recent memory. He has averaged 16.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Nuggets and the most exciting part is that he may still plenty of room to improve. At just 24 years old, the center could also be the best player of the decade in the 2020s for the Nuggets as well.
Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Greg Monroe, Blake Griffin
Despite not coming into the league until 2013, Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond has the second-most rebounds in the NBA since 2010-11. He has led the NBA in rebounds three times, twice earning All-Star considerations. Drummond has been consistent in his role and despite the team not being much of a contender, he has made his presence felt day in and day out.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant
The things that Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry was able to accomplish during the 2010s were almost laughable. He was a back-to-back NBA MVP who won the championship three times. Curry led the Warriors to an unbelievable 73-9 regular season while topping the league in scoring and in steals in 2016 as well. He also connected on 3.8 three-pointers per game, which is 0.9 more than the next-best player during the decade. Curry has clearly redefined the way the game is played and is a generational talent unlike any we have ever seen step foot on a basketball court.
Houston Rockets: James Harden
(Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Dwight Howard, Clint Capela
There has been no trade recently that changed the league quite like the one that sent the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year winner James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets. He has been an All-Star every year for Houston and led the league in assists 2017. The guard then led the league in scoring in 2018 as the NBA MVP and then again in 2019. Harden has put up an absurd 29.6 points with 6.0 rebounds and 7.7 assists for the Rockets. In an age of analytics, he has been the darling for general manager Daryl Morey.
Indiana Pacers: Paul George
(Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: David West, George Hill
Former Indiana Pacers wing Paul George was a four-time All-Star with the franchise, winning NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2013. The two-way star also received All-Defensive team honors three times while with the team. He averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game for Indiana during his team with the Pacers. One of the other best factors about George is that his trade allowed Indiana’s front office to acquire two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo and potential first-time All-Star big man Domantis Sabonis.
LA Clippers: Chris Paul
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan
Before there was Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the Clippers, there was Lob City. None of the success happening for the franchise now would be possible if it weren’t for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The tide was turning when Griffin was drafted in 2009 and won Rookie of the Year in 2011. But it was solidified when they traded for CP3 in December 2011. Paul averaged an impressive 18.8 points and 9.8 assists with 2.2 steals per game when he was a member of the Clippers. He made the All-Star team five times in Los Angeles and twice led the NBA in assists during that time.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant
(Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Pau Gasol, LeBron James
Unlike with Nowitzki, the peak accomplishments for Kobe Bryant occurred before 2010. But even during this decade, he added another NBA title to his arsenal and an All-Star appearance each year before retiring in 2016. Bryant averaged 24.2 points per game for the Lakers starting in 2010-11, which was above average for someone who was his age. Of course, there was little more memorable than Bryant scoring 60 points in his final professional game.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: MARC GASOL
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Mike Conley, Zach Randolph
Former Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol averaged 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists during his time with the Grizzlies this decade. He made three All-Star appearances while a member of the franchise, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. The center was a fixture for Memphis, making the playoffs six times with the Grizzlies. Gasol, a World Cup winner with Spain, eventually won his first NBA title in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors after a midseason trade.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: LeBron James, Chris Bosh
While it was obvious that James was the best player on the team, none of The Big 3 era Miami Heat would have been possible if it were not for Dwyane Wade. He was the instrumental player recruiting both James and Chris Bosh to Miami and even gave up more money in the process to allow it to happen. Wade also sacrificed his role as the key star to make room for more touches to both James and Bosh. This led to two more NBA Finals wins for Wade and All-Star appearances between 2010 and 2016. He was also able to come back to the Heat and retire with the franchise.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been one of the most dominant basketball players in recent memory. He has averaged 19.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game since entering the league. After winning the NBA MVP in 2019, he has followed up with an equally impressive season so far this year. His play has been so sharp that one of the league’s most pressing questions, even now a year and a half away from his eligibility, is what will he decide to do as an upcoming free agent.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns
(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Kevin Love, Andrew Wiggins
After trading away Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2014 offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to bounce back in some ways by grabbing No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. He has played the part of one of the elite big men in the NBA, averaging 22.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game since entering the pros. Towns has also made 39.6 percent of his three-point attempts, showing his versatility as an offensive force.
New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson
His exit may have left a sour taste in the mouth of the New Orleans Pelicans, but Anthony Davis was absolutely stellar during his time with the team. He averaged 23.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and also led the league in blocks three times. Davis was a six-time All-Star for the Pelicans and while he now plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, his return will leave New Orleans in a fine place for the upcoming decade. Not only did the front office get an unreal surplus of draft picks in the deal but Brandon Ingram is playing like a potential superstar.
New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony
(Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
It was a relatively underwhelming decade for the New York Knicks under team owner James Dolan. The front office mortgaged quite a bit of their future to secure Carmelo Anthony via trade in 2011 despite knowing that the star would become a free agent that offseason. As such, the team was a bit of a one-man show under his leadership. He averaged 24.7 points as well as 7.0 rebounds per game on the Knicks, eventually leaving in 2017.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka
The Oklahoma City Thunder somehow drafted three MVP winners who all hit their primes during the 2010s. While none of them is still with the team, the one who made the biggest splash was Kevin Durant. The former No. 2 overall pick put up 28.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while also shooting 38.6 percent from three-point range. Even though point guard Russell Westbrook was the player who had the longest tenure with the team, it was obvious that Oklahoma City was the most successful version of itself with Durant on the roster.
Orlando Magic: Nikola Vucevic
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Dwight Howard, Evan Fournier
Orlando Magic big man Nikola Vucevic might be the most underrated NBA player of the decade. He made just one All-Star appearance, finally earning the love last season. While he originally started his career in Philadelphia, he has found a niche in Orlando. The former No. 16 overall pick has averaged 16.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Magic.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Ben Simmons, Thaddeus Young
His career may have started off defined by injury but since he has become a healthier player, there have been few with a higher ceiling than Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. The big man has scored 24.2 points and pulled down 11.6 rebounds per game. He made the NBA All-Rookie First Team his first year in the league back in 2017. He has made the All-Star team, All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Second Team in both years since.
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker
(Photo by Barry Gossage NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Goran Dragic, PJ Tucker
The Phoenix Suns have not had a decade many fans will want to look back on with fond memories. But the one takeaway is that there is at least some hope for the future due to the scoring punch of Devin Booker. He has been able to put up 21.7 points and 4.5 assists per game since he entered the NBA just two days before his 19th birthday. Booker put up 70 points back in March 2017 and at just 20 years old, he was the youngest player to put up 60 points in an NBA game. Back in March 2019, Booker had three games in a row where he scored at least 48 points.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: LaMarcus Aldridge, CJ McCollum
There are few players in NBA history who have embraced their team’s city quite like Trail Blazers star has welcomed Portland into his life. After he was drafted No. 6 overall in 2012, he has turned his the Blazers into one of the most consistent contenders in the league. Lillard, who won Rookie of the Year his first season in the pros, is a four-time All-Star. He was honored with All-NBA 1st Team consideration in 2018 and led Portland to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. He has averaged 23.7 points and 6.4 assists per game for the Trail Blazers during his professional career thus far.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Isaiah Thomas, Rudy Gay
While the Sacramento Kings had a disappointing decade in many ways, their most feared player during the 2010s was undeniably DeMarcus Cousins. He was a force to be reckoned with on the Kings, averaging 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2011 and he then took home All-NBA 2nd Team in 2015 and 2016. The big man was also disciplined and suspended a bit too often for comfort during his time on the Kings, eventually leading to an inevitable divorce of the two parties.
San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard
SAN ANTONIO, TX – (Photo byJoe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker
When he won NBA Finals MVP in 2014, it was clear that former No. 15 overall pick Kawhi Leonard was a special player in this league. But he was able to take his game to the next level during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, also winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards for his efforts in 2015 and 2016. Leonard, who led the league in steals in 2015, also came into his own on the offensive side of the floor while before his time in San Antonio came to a surprisingly ugly close that kept him sidelined for the majority of 2017-18.
Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: DeMar DeRozan, Kawhi Leonard
While it was Leonard who was the undisputed best player of the team that won the Toronto Raptors their first NBA championship, veteran point guard Kyle Lowry was the heart and soul of the squad. After the team traded away his longtime teammate DeMar DeRozan during the 2018 offseason, the year was inevitably going to be an emotional rollercoaster for Lowry. But for him to respond by helping Toronto finally carry the Larry O’Brien trophy was an effort that solidified his place as the Player of the Decade for the Raptors.
Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert
(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors
If general fans valued defense the same way they value offense, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert would be considered one of the Top 10 players in the NBA. After he led the league in blocks back in 2017, the French big went on to win Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and in 2019. Gobert has actually averaged 2.2 blocks per game since entering the league in 2013. He has also pulled down 10.8 rebounds per game and has connected on 63.4 percent of his total field goal attempts.
Washington Wizards: John Wall
(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Honorable Mentions: Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat
Before his recent injury trouble, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall was an electrifying player. He has averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 assists for the Wizards since going No. 1 overall in the 2010 NBA draft. He made the All-Star team from 2014 until 2018, also grabbing All-Defensive 2nd Team honors in 2015 and All-NBA 3rd Team in 2017. Wall has averaged 1.7 steals per game, too, showing he can be a defensive stopper. Now he is on a tough contract, though he initially earned it with his previously fantastic play.
Boston Celtics guard Gordon Hayward will play on Christmas Day against the Toronto Raptors
Boston Celtics guard Gordon Hayward will be able to play with his team on what’s perhaps the biggest day of the NBA regular season.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Hayward is ‘good to go’ for the Celtics’ Christmas Day game against the Toronto Raptors.
Hayward has missed the past three games because of a foot injury. Per Bontemps, Hayward will be on a minutes restriction. Stevens said Hayward will not run “deep into the 30s or anything.” Hayward is also recently coming off a fractured left hand injury that sidelined him for 13 games.
With Hayward playing, he’s another scorer and ball handler for a quality Celtics offense. Hayward is the Celtics’ fourth-leading scorer, averaging 17.5 points a game.
The Celtics average 111.2 points a game, and Hayward is one of five players averaging double figures. A solid rebounder, Hayward is also averaging a career-high 6.1 rebounds.
Stevens says Hayward won’t play “deep into the 30s or anything,” minutes-wise, but he is glad to have Hayward back on the court and in the starting lineup. https://t.co/P2fIlp30rW
As Hayward continues the season, it’ll be important for him to manage this foot injury. According to MassLive.com’s John Karalis, Hayward’s MRI showed there was no structural damage in his foot.
With the Celtics ranked second in the Eastern Conference, they have the offensive depth to be a contender. According to NBA.com, they rank 16th in field goal percentage as well as in 3-point field goal percentage.
Previewing Christmas Day’s Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Boston Celtics (20-7) and Toronto Raptors (21-9) battle at Scotiabank Arena at noon ET Wednesday. We analyze the Celtics-Raptors odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Special Christmas Day NBA Prop Bet
BET $1, WIN $200 (in free bets) IF ANY NBA team playing December 25th, 2019 hits a 3-pointer. Bet now!
The Raptors (+125) are a little shorthanded in the frontcourt, as Siakam’s absence gives the CELTICS (-154) the upper hand. Eating this moderate amount of chalk falls in line with what I like to do, as I won’t go more than -160 or -170.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Celtics to win outright returns a profit of $6.49.
If you hit the CELTICS (-2.5, -115), it isn’t terribly risky, and a little cheaper than taking them on the moneyline, which will cost you substantially more. The Raptors (+2.5, -106) are at home, but aren’t an attractive play with some frontcourt injury issues. The Celtics are 0-8 ATS in the past eight trips to Toronto, so tread lightly. But trends are made to be broken.
The OVER 210.5 (-125) is worth a small-unit bet, as the Celtics should be able to take advantage of Toronto’s frontcourt injury woes. While the Under has been the play for both sides lately, the Over has hit in four of the past five in this series, too. This game won’t be mistaken for Paul Westhead basketball of the 1980’s, but it won’t be a defensive slog, either.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
While the Boston Celtics’ Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart have missed several games to injury recently, news both are nearing a return is welcome indeed.
The Boston Celtics are slowly working their way back towards health, but it will still be a little while before Marcus Smart take the floor again.
Gordon Hayward, on the other hand, might be available to play against the Toronto Raptors on Christmas Day in Canada, a team dealing with plenty of their own injury issues.
“[Hayward] had a pretty good workout this morning and felt better than he’s felt,” Brad Stevens explained Sunday afternoon (per MassLive’s John Karalis). “I’ll say that he’s pretty close”.
“Probably, I would guess, he’d be bumped up to probable after today,” he added. [That’s] up to the trainers and him.”
Smart, on the other hand, has been making slower if steady progress with his eye infection. “Marcus Smart is doing better,” explained Stevens.
“He was actually at the facility, or going to the facility tonight to get on the floor and shoot a little bit … he missed the game against Miami, played against Denver, and then, but really since December 1st, that’s the only day he’s been out on a court.”
“He’s going to get some shots up and assuming all goes well, we can work him out and start the process of coming back to play tomorrow,” remarked the former Butler coach.
Stevens doesn’t anticipate the Texan defensive menace back on the court for the Christmas day game, but doesn’t think he’s too much further away from a return, either.
“It’s different when you have an injury like Gordon did and work for four straight weeks. Now you’ve got Marcus — he just hasn’t been able to see anything.”
With Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norm Powell all likely to miss the holiday tilt, it may make more sense to avoid rushing either back if they do not feel completely ready to return.
Whatever ends up happening north of the border this Christmas, it’s sounding like a healthy roster might just be on tap for the new year.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 26 points through the first three-quarters of Boston’s blowout win over the Pistons.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were so productive through the first three quarters that Boston didn’t need either of them in the fourth, as the Celtics routed Detroit 114-93.
Tatum and Brown made up the bulk of the scoring for Boston, with each of them putting up 26 points through the first three quarters.
The only other player in double-digits for the Celtics was Grant Williams, who came off the bench to score 18, a new career-high for the rookie.
It wasn’t points, but Enes Kanter grabbed double-digit rebounds, pulling down 18 of the team’s 51 boards.
Kemba Walker struggled from the floor on Friday night, going 0-of-6. His only two points of the game came from the free-throw line, although he did dish out 11 assists.
Boston was also playing without Gordon Hayward, who was out again with a sore left foot, and Marcus Smart, who is still dealing with a left eye infection.
However, it wasn’t Hayward or Smart that fans most wanted to see.
Chants of “We want Tacko!” rained down inside TD Garden during the fourth quarter.
Fans got their wish with 4:31 remaining in the game. Brad Stevens even got in on the fun, motioning for fans to cheer and get louder before motioning for Fall to check into the game.
Gordon Hayward’s sore left foot revealed no structural issues after an MRI, but the All-Star forward will sit against the Detroit Pistons Friday night.
Those of us teased into optimism about Gordon Hayward’s status for tonight’s game against the Detroit Pistons being upgraded to ‘questionable’ yesterday are in for a letdown, but it’s not all bad news.
Head coach Brad Stevens revealed the Butler product had a clean MRI scan returned, meaning whatever ails the Indiana native is, at least, not structural, reports MassLive’s John Karalis.
The irritation is still enough to keep him out of tonight’s tilt, though.
Hayward, who has been putting up 17.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists this season, has been dealing with the discomfort since before breaking his hand in early November and sat for Thursday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Gordon Hayward is out tonight. MRI reveals nothing structural.
The Pistons will be resting several of their own players to various injuries, including All-Star forward Blake Griffin (knee), point guard Reggie Jackson (back), big man Christian Wood (knee) and third-year guard Luke Kennard (also knee).
Boston will also be without Marcus Smart (eye infection), Robert Williams III (bone edema), and Vincent Poirier (broken finger) for the meeting, with Smart likely to return against the Toronto Raptors on Christmas Day, and the latter pair until mid-to late January at soonest.
The Pistons are not the only team dealing with multiple injuries on Boston’s schedule, as Toronto is down three of their best players in Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norm Powell.
That team will play the Celtics twice before year’s end, and along with the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, are one of only three teams Boston will face with a winning record before a Jan. 20 showdown with longtime rival Los Angeles Lakers.
All-Star forward Gordon Hayward could return from a sore foot against the Detroit Pistons Friday, while reserve guard Brad Wanamaker is now ‘probable’ with an ankle sprain.
The Boston Celtics might get All-Star forward Gordon Hayward back tomorrow night against the Detroit Pistons.
Boston hosts Detroit at home this Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 ET, and may have their All-Star forward back in the fold if his sore left foot will let the Butler product play, the team officially elevating his status to “questionable”.
The Indiana native missed the road victory over the Dallas Mavericks along with teammates Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III, and Vincent Poirier, all of whom managed to get less healthy despite a five-day break in the schedule.
Hayward has reportedly been dealing with discomfort in his foot since recovering from a broken hand in November and early December.
Gordon Hayward (sore left foot) – QUESTIONABLE Vincent Poirier (right pinkie fracture) – OUT Marcus Smart (left eye infection) – OUT Brad Wanamaker (left ankle sprain) – PROBABLE Robert Williams (left hip bone edema) – OUT
Today, team president Danny Ainge appeared on local radio show Toucher and Rich, and described Hayward’s current condition with respect to his foot as “day-to-day”.
Guard Marcus Smart (eye infection) and centers Williams (left hip edema) and Poirier (broken finger) will miss Friday’s contest, and the latter two roughly three and six weeks at minimum respectively.
A new face joined the injury report in the form of reserve guard Brad Wanamaker, listed as ‘probable’ with a left ankle sprain. While it’s unclear when the sprain happened, it was likely lost in the shuffle of the win over Dallas, and seems to be a mild one given the status designation.
The Boston Celtics are beset with injuries now that Gordon Hayward will sit with a sore left foot.
At this rate, the Boston Celtics will have to start their two way players soon.
With three players already a scratch against the Dallas Mavericks, Gordon Hayward will join Robert Williams III, Vincent Poirier and Marcus Smart on the injured list, reports Yahoo Sports’ Keith Smith.
Down nearly a third of their team to injury, the Hospital Celtics are back in full effect now that the Indiana native plans to rest a sore foot.
Jayson Tatum will play tonight at Dallas, but add Gordon Hayward to list of Celtics who got less healthy after a 5-day period between games. Hayward is out with a sore left foot. https://t.co/Yru4yzcaIQ
He’d been feeling discomfort since Tuesday’s practice, reports NBC Sports’ Chris Forsberg, and did some work under observation of the training staff.
While guard Marcus Smart did not make the trip to Dallas after the infection keeping him out of games spread from one eye to his other he ought to be available soon if not against the Mavs.
Centers Rob Williams and Vincent Poirier will remain out for several weeks with a bone edema and broken finger respectively, putting the team’s frontcourt rotations under stress.
Particularly with big man Enes Kanter’s ability to travel to their Christmas Day match with the Toronto Raptors unresolved.
Celtics injury report vs. Dallas
Gordon Hayward – Sore Left Foot – OUT Vincent Poirier – Right Pinkie Fracture – OUT Marcus Smart – Left Eye Infection – OUT Robert Williams – Left Hip Bone Edema – OUT
It is unknown whether Hayward’s malady is related to the devastating injury sustained just moments into his Celtics career or just run-of-the-mill wear, but early reporting of the injury appears to frame it as a minor one.
But, the team is already thin, and may need to recall Carsen Edwards to help on the wing if the Indianapolis native will miss extended time.
For now, both he and two way guard Tremont Waters are to play with the G League team in the Las Vegas G League Showcase the following day, where two way center Tacko Fall will likely join them before heading back to Boston to conduct the Boston Pops.
Fall is likely to see at least a little time against Dallas despite the fact the team has rookie Romeo Langford available to play with the parent club, as Hayward’s absence will require a little more help from smaller players who might otherwise play small-ball five for stints, like rookie Grant Williams.
