Welcome to TD Garden for Celtics-Trail Blazers
The Celtics play the final game of a three-game homestand against the much-improved Trail Blazers, who have beaten mostly losing teams but do have a win over San Antonio. Boston is back after a real clunker Wednesday against the Charlotte Bobcats and need to win before a difficult three-game road trip against Minnesota, Houston at San Antonio.
STARTING LINEUPS
BOSTON CELTICS (4-5)
PG Avery Bradley
SG Jordan Crawford
SF Jeff Green
PF Brandon Bass
C Kelly Olynyk
Inactives: Rajon Rondo
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (6-2)
PG Damian Lillard
SG Wesley Matthews
SF Nicolas Batum
PF LaMarcus Aldridge
C Robin Lopez
Inactives: Meyers Leonard, CJ McCollum
Officials: Marc Davis, Derrick Collins, Haywoode Workman
TV, radio: 7:30 p.m., Comcast SportsNet, (WBZ FM, 98.5).
Pregame notes:
• Jared Sullinger has been cleared to return to action after missing Wednesday’s game with a bone bruise in his right knee.
• The Trail Blazers will be without center Meyers Leonard but he is expected to rejoin the club Monday in Brooklyn.
• Three Celtics were placed on the All-Star ballot: Rajon Rondo, Gerald Wallace and Jeff Green. Any other Celtic would have to be a write-in candidate.
