Welcome to Wells Fargo Center for Celtics-76ers
The Celtics get a chance to go for two in a row tonight in a rematch with the 76ers, who beat the Celtics at the buzzer last Wednesday on an Evan Turner runner. Boston came back to beat Orlando on Sunday 96-89 and are going for their first winning streak since Dec. 13-16 when they defeated New York and Minnesota.
The 76ers are in a similar position as the Celtics, building for the future and relying heavily on the upcoming draft. Turner, who may be trade bait later this month, has historically punished the Celtics. He averages 15 points per game career against Boston, third-highest against any opponent.
STARTING LINEUPS
BOSTON CELTICS (16-33)
PG Rajon Rondo
SG Avery Bradley
SF Jeff Green
PF Brandon Bass
C Jared Sullinger
Inactives: Keith Bogans, Vitor Faverani
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (15-34)
PG Michael Carter-Williams
SG James Anderson
SF Evan Turner
PF Thaddeus Young
C Spencer Hawes
Inactives: Jason Richardson
Officials: Monty McCutchen, Derrick Collins, Olandis Poole
TV, radio: 7 p.m., CSNNE, WBZ-FM (98.5)
Pregame notes:
• Vitor Faverani is back with the Celtics after a third one-game stint in the NBADL but it may have come at a price. Faverani banged knees with an opponent during NBADL Maine’s loss to Delaware and will need an MRI on his left knee Thursday. Faverani scored 27 points in the game.
• Thursday is the deadline for the Celtics to make a decision on swingman Chris Johnson, who has been impressive in his three-week stint with the club. Johnson has averaged 8.7 points in seven games and shot 41.4 percent from the 3-point line.
• The 76ers will be without Brandon Davies (fractured right finger), Arnett Moultrie (D-League) and former Everett High product Nerlens Noel (recovering from left torn ACL).
• The Celtics are expected to return to Boston following the game and have Thursday off before hosting the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
