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Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Game Preview, Prediction

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By @b2brennan

Getty Images

Getty Images

Game Time and Location: Jan. 22, 10:00 PM EST, at the Moda Center (Portland, OR)

Projected Starting Lineups:

Boston Celtics: Evan Turner, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Dorell Wright, Chris Kaman

The Celtics are 13-26 and in all-out tank mode. They made multiple trades this season, acquiring draft picks and expiring contracts, which has left them a roster filled with young potential and role players. The most notable of the trades were Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green both leaving. It appears Boston is paving the way for a young team and the head of that is Sullinger and Marcus Smart. Both have lots of potential and the Celtics look to gain talent and experience while building a young core under head coach Brad Stevens. Unfortunately for them, that takes time, so they have the third worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The Trail Blazers are sitting second in the Western Conference, but they have lost four out of the last five and are losing ground to the Golden State Warriors for first place, while teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks are gaining on them.

A big reason for this is their lack of health. Robin Lopez has been out and most recently, superstar power forward LaMarcus Aldridge went down with injury. Batum is coming off his best offensive night of the season and Portland will need him to step up along with Lillard and Matthews in order to stay successful while Aldridge is out.

My biggest key for the Celtics is second-chance points. If they can work for those they’ll be able to stay with Portland. For the Blazers, their biggest key is bench play. Without Aldridge, they can’t rely solely on Lillard, Matthews and Batum to score all their points. They’ll need role players like Thomas Robinson, CJ McCollum and Meyers Leonard to step up.

With only four games being played in the NBA tonight and only one matchup with both teams over .500, it doesn’t seem to be an exciting night in the league. But, don’t count the entertainment out in this game. Both teams have a bunch of young and exciting players so there should be a lot of entertaining play. I expect Portland to hang on in this one because it is at home and Boston just isn’t talented enought yet.

Prediction: Boston 88, Portland 102

Brian Brennan is a Portland Trail Blazers writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b2brennan.

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