Boston Celtics (49-14, first in the Eastern Conference) against Portland Trail Blazers (18-45, 14th in the Western Conference)
Portland, Oregon; Monday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Boston will look for its 50th win of the season when the Celtics visit the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers are 10-22 in home games. Portland ranks last in the Western Conference with just 23.0 assists per game led by Jerami Grant averaging 2.8.
The Celtics are 20-11 on the road. Boston leads the Eastern Conference with 47.2 rebounds per game led by Jayson Tatum averaging 8.5.
The Trail Blazers are shooting 44.1 percent from the field this season, which is 0.8 percentage points lower than the 44.9 percent the Celtics are allowing their opponents. The Celtics have averaged 16.2 3-pointers per game this season, which is 4.6 more shots on average than the 11.6 per game given up by the Trail Blazers.
TOP PERFORMERS: Anfernee Simons is averaging 22.9 points and 5.5 assists for the Trail Blazers. Dalano Banton is averaging 14.0 points over the last 10 games.
Tatum is averaging 26.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 24.4 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 3-7, averaging 107.7 points, 44.6 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% ground. Their opponents average 113.4 points per game.
Celtics: 8-2, averaging 122.4 points, 45.9 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 7.0 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 51.8% from the field. Their opponents average 103.4 points.
INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton: day-to-day (hand), Jerami Grant: out (hamstring), Malcolm Brogdon: out (elbow), Scoot Henderson: day-to-day (adductor), Robert Williams III: out for the season (knee), Jabari Walker: out (hip), Shaedon Sharpe: out (abdominal).
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis: out (hamstring), Neemias Queta: out (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data logging and the data of Sports radar.
