Final: Celtics 126, Blazers 112 - Tatum, Brown combine for 61 to hold off late Damian Lillard push

Game 71: Celtics (-6) at Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m., Moda Center, NBCS Boston 

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari, Robert Williams (hamstring), Payton Pritchard (heel)

QUESTIONABLE- Jayson Tatum (hip), Marcus Smart (non-COVID illness)

PROBABLE- Malcolm Brogdon (right Achilles tendon)

Portland: OUT- Justise Winslow (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE- Jerami Grant (quad)

PROBABLE- Damian Lillard (calf) 

Blazers probable starters: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic, Trendon Watford, Matisse Thybulle

Refs: Kevin Scott (#24), Curtis Blair (#74), Eric Dalen (#37)

Last time they played: Celtics 115, Blazers 93, March 8 - The Celtics came out hot, going 6-10 from 3 in the first quarter. They cooled off in the second quarter, going 3-17, but Portland went 0-9 and 4-17 overall from the floor, so the Celtics still added 8 points to their lead. The second half was not exactly what we’d call good basketball, but Jayson Tatum was hot from 3 and the Blazers were just terrible. They made a brief run in the third and the subs let it get a little uncomfortable in the fourth, but the game was never in doubt. 

A little something about this game: The loss to Boston triggered a four-game losing streak. The Blazers are 17-16 at home. Damian Lillar’s true shooting percentage is 6% higher at home than on the road. He’s a +5.3 at home, an +0.2 on the road. He’s shooting 34.9% from 3 in March, his worst shooting month of the season.

Things I’m looking for:

- Do NOT expect the same effort from Portland: They are much worse on the road than at home, so they should absolutely not expect the Blazers to come out and suck the way they did nine days ago. This is a better team at home, and they were embarrassed in Boston. They’ll come out strong.

- Ride out the opening wave: I expect the Blazers to throw a haymaker to start the game. Boston has to not only be ready for it, but ride out the opening salvo, even if they get down by double digits in a hurry. Don’t get frustrated and hang your heads. Keep going and chip away at it. 

- Tatum finding his rhythm: He says he’s playing tonight. We’ll see if the Celtics confirm that. If he does, I want to see if his up and down pattern continues. That would make him due for an up night. 

- Grant Williams: Watching him closely again to see if he can get back to being himself. 

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.