Can the Celtics slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder?
Can the Celtics slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder?Erin Clark/Globe Staff
The Celtics have struggled against some of the league’s top teams, particularly in the Western Conference, going a combined 0-7 against the Spurs, Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Thunder.
Boston can stave off a winless season against that quartet with Oklahoma City in town Wednesday.
The Celtics are hosting the defending champions for a rematch at TD Garden just two weeks after the Thunder claimed a nail-biter over Boston in Oklahoma on March 12.
The Celtics are coming off a disappointing loss to Minnesota on Monday. Boston managed just 15 points in the fourth quarter and allowed a 16-0 run — the Celtics second-worst stretch of the season — as the Timberwolves won at TD Garden for the first time since 2005.
The Thunder have won 13 straight heading into Wednesday’s game.
The Celtics’ only expected absence is Nikola Vucevic, who remains out after fracturing his ring finger on March 6. Jayson Tatum missed the first game between the two teams earlier this month.
Tip-off Wednesday is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden and on NBC Sports Boston. Here’s a preview.
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: NBCSB, WROR-FM 105.7
Line: Oklahoma City -2.5. O/U: 218.0.
THUNDER
Season record: 57-15. vs. spread: 34-38. Over/under: 36-36
Last 10 games: 10-0. vs. spread: 3-7. Over/under: 2-8
CELTICS
Season record: 47-24. vs. spread: 40-31. Over/under: 25-46
Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 3-7
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Oklahoma City 118.7, Boston 114.1
Points allowed per game: Oklahoma City 107.5, Boston 107.0
Field goal percentage: Oklahoma City .482, Boston .463
Opponent field goal percentage: Oklahoma City .434, Boston .441
3-point percentage: Oklahoma City .361, Boston .360
Opponent 3-point percentage: Oklahoma City .365, Boston .357
Stat of the day: This matchup features two of the NBA’ top-five scorers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.5 points per game, second in the league) and Jaylen Brown (28.5, fifth).
Notes: The Celtics (47-24) had their four-game winning streak end with Sunday night’s 102-92 home loss to Minnesota. Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the setback but shot 6 of 16 from the field. ... Tatum is shooting 38.8 percent from the field, including 29.3 percent from 3-point territory, in eight games since he returned from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles in May. “I wouldn’t say normal slump, because it’s the first time I went through something like this,” Tatum said. “I mean, it’s just been a long time. It was a long time before I could shoot a basketball, before I could walk. So just trying to knock the rust off game by game. I find great spurts and moments from game to game and, you know, just trying to put more of them together.” ... Guard Jalen Williams returned to the Oklahoma City lineup for Monday’s game against Philadelphia and scored 18 points with six assists and four rebounds in 20 minutes in the win. A right hamstring strain had kept him out of game action since Feb. 11, a span of 16 games. ... In the first meeting between the two teams, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to break Wilt Chamberlain’s record with his 127th consecutive game overall with at least 20 points. The streak is now up to 132 games.
Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.