The Portland Trail Blazers received yet another break during their run at earning a Western Conference play-in berth.
Boston Celtics All-Star guard Jaylen Brown (knee) is out for Sunday’s 3 p.m. game at the Blazers. All-Star forward Jayson Tatum (knee), guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) are questionable.
The Blazers are coming off a 128-109 victory Friday night over Denver, which played without All-Star center Nikola Jokic. On Wednesday, the Blazers won 115-99 against Memphis, which was without Ja Morant.
The Blazers enter Sunday two games behind the Dallas Mavericks (34-37) and Phoenix Suns (34-37), tied for 10th. Both are off Sunday.
On Monday night, Dallas plays at the Brooklyn Nets (23-48) and Phoenix hosts the Milwaukee Bucks (39-30).
The Blazers lost 128-118 at Boston on March 5, on a night where Celtics guards Payton Pritchard and Derrick White set a franchise record for scoring by a duo with 84 points. They also became the first Celtics duo to each make at least nine three-point baskets in a game.
Pritchard 10 of 16, and White went 9 of 17.
Tatum, Porzingis and Holiday missed that game. Brown scored 18.
Prediction: Predicting this game in advance is nearly impossible. Not only are three key Boston players listed as questionable, but the Blazers do not yet know the status of Anfernee Simons, Donovan Clingan, Jerami Grant, and Jabari Walker.
Portland Trail Blazers v Boston Celtics
Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on March 05, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Getty Images
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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. BOSTON CELTICS
What: Trail Blazers (32-39) vs. Celtics (51-19), 3 p.m., Sunday.
Where: Moda Center.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).
How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.
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ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR +240 | BOS -298
Spread: POR +7.5 | Over/Under: 222.5
INJURIES
Blazers: Anfernee Simons (illness), Donovan Clingan (illness) and Jabari Walker (concussion protocol) are questionable. Jerami Grant (right knee tendinitis) is doubtful. Deandre Ayton (left calf strain) and Robert Williams III (left knee sprain) are out.
Celtics: Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement), Kristaps Porzingis (illness reconditioning) and Jayson Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) are questionable. Jaylen Brown (right knee bone bruise) and Xavier Tillman (right knee joint sprain) are out.
NEXT UP
The Blazers host the Cleveland Cavaliers (56-14) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)