Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (illness) has been cleared for Friday night’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, center Robert Williams III is down to questionable due to an illness.
Of course, Danilo Gallinari will miss the entire season with an ACL tear. Smart, Williams and Gallinari are the only players listed. In the last 10 games in Boston, the team has won only four games. Not to mention, the C’s are on a three game skid.
The Celtics are the No. 1 favorite to win the championship in 2023 at several NBA betting sites. See which sportsbooks are still showing favorable odds for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers.
Marcus Smart has been upgraded to probable in the squad from an illness, while Rob Williams is now doubtful with illness.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) December 23, 2022
Smart has missed four games this season, but the nine-year veteran is coming up against Minnesota. In 28 starts, the guard is averaging 11.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is also shooting 34% from 3-point range and a career-best 43.1% from the field.
In the year On November 28, in the Celtics’ 140–105 win over the Charlotte Hornets, Smart tied his season high with 22 points. Along with recording a season-high 15 assists, the guard shot 8-of-11 (72.7%) from the floor and 6-of-9 (66.7%) from beyond the arc.
Celtics guard Marcus Smart (illness), center Robert Williams III (illness) is questionable against the Timberwolves.
Additionally, the Celtics are 11-5 at home this season, while the Timberwolves are 7-8 on the road. Boston is now a half game behind the Bucks for the top seed in the East. Meanwhile, Minnesota is ranked sixth in the Western Conference standings.
Rudy Gobert (ankle) and Kyle Anderson (back) are questionable on the Timberwolves’ injury report. Also, Jordan McLaughlin (calf) is out. To add to the list, Karl-Anthony City (calf) and Taurean Prince (shoulder) are out indefinitely.
Tonight ☘️ Celtics vs. @Timberwolves
⏰ 7:30 p.m
📍 @tdgard
📺 @NBCSBBoston
🎙️ @1057 error
Small business of the game: https://t.co/NEGjbKafLC#blood green pic.twitter.com/wnLyMg0HjR— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 23, 2022
Minnesota has a better record in their last 10 games. The Timberwolves are also 7-2 in their previous 9 games against Eastern Conference opponents. But in 11 games against the Celtics, they went 1-10 on the spread.
The Celtics are 1-5 in their last six games, but are 11-5 in their last 16 games entering Friday. And the team is 9-0 ATS in its last nine home games against the Timberwolves.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Celtics have an 86% chance of beating Minnesota at TD Garden. Sportsbooks show Boston as a heavy 10-point favorite at home.
