OKC Thunder vs. Boston Celtics: Game Preview, Keys to Game, Betting Odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Boston Celtics with a National TV showcase. The OKC Thunder will be without a key player in this tilt and here is everything you need to know about this matchup.

Jan 2, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves beside Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) on a drive to the basket during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics are set to go toe-to-toe on ESPN on Wednesday night in what should have been a marquee game that has lost some luster with the recent injury to All-Star forward Jalen Williams, who is sidelined due to a hip strain.

In these two squads previous meeting, the Thunder missed rising star Chet Holmgren in a big win inside the Paycom Center during a Sunday matinee clash.

The Thunder and Celtics are viewed as two title favorites and this game will still garner plenty of reaction but Oklahoma City needs a lot to go right in order to pull off an upset in the Garden.

Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 4.5-point underdogs to the Boston Celtics, and the total over/under is 228.5 points, according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder need plenty to go right in this game to create offense without Jalen Williams available. It will take another signature MVP performance from superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to gut this game out.

On that same note, the Thunder role players have to be able to hit shots from beyond the arc as Boston loads up to take away the superstar. Without a blazing hot -point shooting night, OKC will struggle.

In order to make up for the lack of being able to win a track meet, the Thunder defense has to be at its historic level without one of the best defenders on the squad. Getting in the passing lanes and forcing Boston into uncharacteristic turnovers is a must.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (53-12) vs. Boston Celtics (47-18)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Jalen Williams (Right Hip Strain) OUT
• Isaiah Hartenstein (Facial Fracture) Available
• Ajay Mitchell (Toe) OUT
• Nikola Topic (ACL) OUT
• Branden Carlson (GL) OUT
• Alex Ducas (GL) OUT
• Dillon Jones (GL) OUT

Boston Celtics

• Jaylen Brown (Knee) Probable
• Jayson Tatum (Knee) Questionable
• Kristaps Porzingis (Illness) Questionable
• Miles Norris (GL) OUT
• JD Davidson (GL) OUT
• Drew Peterson (GL) OUT

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 6:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

TD Garden - Boston, MA

TV/RADIO:

ESPN, FanDuel Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a difficult week ahead facing a trio of Eastern Conference playoff foes on the road. An upset win tonight would be massive for a successful week.

Up next, the OKC Thunder travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons on Saturday on the front end of a back-to-back which wraps up in Milwaukee against the Bucks on Sunday.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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