BOSTON — The second-best teams in both of the NBA’s conferences will face off for the first time this season on Saturday night at 8pm. And to make things even more exciting, both the Celtics and Spurs
enter the primetime matchup relatively healthy.
Still, the Celtics will be without Josh Minott, who is dealing with a left ankle sprain. Minott, who has missed three straight games, is day-to-day, per Joe Mazzulla. (And Jayson Tatum, who has yet to play this season as he recovers from an Achilles rupture, remains out.)
The Spurs, meanwhile, will be without Devin Vassell, who is out with a left adductor strain. And, Julian Champagnie is questionable with mid-back soreness (both players have been significant contributors in San Antonio; Vassell averages 15 points, and Champagnie averages 11.1 points per game).
The Celtics enter the game playing some of their best basketball of the season. They’re fresh off of a win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night, and have won 8 of their last 10 games. They currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, at 24-13. They hold a half-game lead in the standings over the New York Knicks, who have dropped 6 of their last 10 games.
And, they have the best offensive rating in the NBA.
“Some of the stuff that they were saying about what our offense will look like [with] me leading the offense is not what it looks like right now,” Jaylen Brown said after Friday’s win. “So I’m just grateful to have an opportunity to come out every single night and play Celtic basketball.”
The Spurs come to Boston as the West’s second-best team
The Spurs, meanwhile, are 26-11 and also have the second-best record in their conference, trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder by 5 games. The Spurs have won 6 of their last 10 after finishing as NBA Cup runner-ups.
The Spurs have been led by Victor Wembenyama (24.2 points, 11.5 rebounds per game), De’Aaron Fox (21 points, 5.9 assists per game), and Stephon Castle (17.7 points, 6.9 assists per game). And, former Celtic Luke Kornet has started 21 games this season, averaging 8.4 points and 6.7 rebounds.
The Spurs have the 6th-best offensive rating and the 3rd-best defensive rating in the NBA.
Both teams face off at 8pm at TD Garden.
