Vitals: Thunder vs. Celtics

Originally Published: Nov 1, 2010 9:12 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Oklahoma City Thunder (3-2) vs. Boston Celtics (5-1)
Sunday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m. CST
The Oklahoma City Arena
Game 6 of 82

Anticipated Starting Lineups

Injuries
Oklahoma City: PF Nick Collison (knee, OUT)
Boston: PG Delonte West (suspension, OUT); C Kendrick Perkins (knee, OUT) C Shaquille O'Neal (knee, QUESTIONABLE); G Avery Bradley (ankle, QUESTIONABLE)

Where to find it:
On TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma, NBA TV
Radio: Thunder Radio Network (Matt Pinto)

What you need to know...

Oklahoma City seemed to finally break out of its mini-slump on Thursday night against Portland. But the going doesn't get any easier as the Thunder host the Celtics Sunday at the Oklahoma City Arena. Many Experts have picked the Celtics to win the East again this year, despite the formation of the new "Big Three" in Miami. So far, Boston seems worthy of that title, knocking off the Heat in the first game of the year and winning five of its first six.

If Shaquille O'Neal does not play against the Thunder due to his knee problems, it will be a big weight off the Thunder big men's shoulders. Even in the past couple years with his age and and injuries creeping up on him, O'Neal has been a load for the Thunder, who are one of the smaller teams in the league. A matchup against O'Neal would be tough for Oklahoma City, who has had trouble defending in the post so far this year, especially with Nick Collison out. Kendrick Perkins will be out until February for the Celtics, meaning if Shaq does not play, the Thunder will be faced with a more manageable Boston front court of Glen Davis and Jermaine O'Neal.

The key to beating the Celtics for any team is to have solid defensive performances from everyone on the court. The Celtics do not rely on one single player, but rather a committee to score the ball. Russell Westbrook should be able to at least slow down Celtics' point guard Rajon Rondo. Thabo Sefolosha and Kevin Durant will take on Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The key matchup defensively for the Thunder will be Jeff Green guarding Kevin Garnett. The undersized Green has had trouble this season defending against taller, more athletic power forwards.

Who to watch...

Boston's original "Big Three" (Allen, Pierce and Garnett) has since turned into the Big Four. Rajon Rondo has gotten off to a tremendous statistical start from the point guard position, averaging more than 15 assists per game. Rondo posted 24 assists in a win against the Knicks earlier in the season. Having scorers around him such as Allen, Pierce and Garnett makes his job a lot easier, but Rondo has developed into one of the best young point guards in the league. As usual, Russell Westbrook highlights a key matchup as he will attempt to slow Rondo on the defensive end and use his size and speed to blow by him on offense.

Westbrook, however, isn't the only one who has to be on top of his game defensively. Everyone on the court for the Thunder has a tough matchup waiting for them. Kevin Durant will not be able to focus solely on offense in the game, for he will be guarding either Ray Allen or Paul Pierce for the majority of the game. Pierce's physical play and tendency to drive to the bucket could cause problems for Durant, who is tall and has a long wingspan, but is still skinny and doesn't have the lateral quickness to match up with Pierce all game long. Jeff Green will need help in the post trying to keep Garnett in check. Green and company allowed an array of alley-oops and easy dunks in last week's matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, and will not get a break from that assault on Sunday. OKC can rest assured that if Garnett or others get open around the rim, Rondo - the NBA's assists leader - will find them.