Preview: Boston Celtics vs Portland Trail Blazers

The Boston Celtics will be hosting one of the hottest teams in the NBA on Wednesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers. Brad Stevens and Terry Stotts were both named NBA’s Coaches of the Month yesterday, and both teams have played some of their best basketball of the season recently. As a result the Blazers have moved into prime position to make a move in the Western Conference Standings.

The Celtics are 35-25 on the season and Portland sits at 33-28 after their win against the New York Knicks last night. However, both teams were top-five teams in the month of February.

This should be a very high scoring game as both teams are near the top in points per game. Boston ranks fourth, and first in the month of February, averaging 106 points per game. Portland is a little farther down, ranking eighth with 103.6 points per game. Both team’s statistics match each others very closely, signaling that this should be a very tight game.

It should be as Damian Lillard has proven that he was an all-star snub this season, leading the team in points per game (25.4) and assists per game (7.0). He has been one of the best players in the league for a team that had to replace four starters this year, and has guided them to a potential playoff berth during a supposedly rebuilding year.

The X-Factor in the game for Boston is Isaiah Thomas. As previously noted, Lillard has been on fire, especially in the month of February. He averaged 29.8 points per game, including a 51-point outburst against the Golden State Warriors. He has also scored at least 30 points in eight of the past nine games.

Thomas has struggled guarding bigger, offensive-minded guards due to his size. Although, Avery Bradley will most likely have to guard C.J. McCollum due to how tall he is. Lillard has had his way, as of late, against any opponent, and if Thomas isn’t able to slow him down a little then it’ll be a long night for Boston. Staying in front of Lillard and trying to not let him get to the basket it the biggest key as 26.9 percent of his shots are layups.

Everyone knows what Thomas brings to the offensive side of the ball, however, it will be his defense that will make or break the Celtics on Wednesday night.

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The X-Factor for the Trail Blazers is Meyers Leonard. The young 7-footer has come off the bench for the Blazers this season. Despite being 7’1″, he hangs around the three-point line and attempts 3.8 threes per game, making 36.6 percent of them. The Celtics are the shortest team in the NBA, and while Leonard won’t be going inside on them, which he should, he needs to be a factor on the boards for Portland.

It may due to hanging around the three-point line, but Leonard is only averaging 4.8 rebounds per game. He is coming off an 11 point, 14 rebound showing against the Knicks, but has only recorded more than 10 rebounds in one game since the new year.

He is still developing as a player, however, he’s been a big factor in the Blazers’ success this season. It’s a little odd to see someone at his height hang around the arc that much, but it works for the team. The potential for the young big man to have a big game is there.

Next: 3 Things We Learned From Boston's Win Against Utah

The Celtics and Blazers are arguably the game of the night in the NBA. It’s a matchup between two of the most surprising teams in the league, and a great measuring stick game. The Celtics will be going for their 12th straight win at home on Wednesday night at 7:30PM ET.

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