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BOSTON — The Celtics could be without Neemias Queta when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Queta has been dealing with an illness since Friday, but he’s played through it, logging 28 minutes on Friday in Brooklyn and 24 minutes on Saturday in Chicago.
In addition to Queta, Josh Minott, who has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain since January 3rd, has been upgraded to questionable. And, Jayson Tatum continues to be listed as out as he recovers from a right Achilles repair.
Jaylen Brown, who has been dealing with hamstring tightness, is off the injury report.
The Trail Blazers have a far lengthier injury report than the Celtics: Deni Avdija is questionable with a lower back strain. At the same time, former Celtic Robert Williams is questionable with left knee injury management. Williams has yet to lace up against his former team since being traded to Portland three years ago.
Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury management), Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear), Kris Murray (lumbair strain), Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy), Blake Wesley (right foot fracture), and Duop Reathe (right foot soreness).
Former Celtic Jrue Holiday, who appeared in just 18 games this season, is available and will make his return to TD Garden.
Last time the two teams faced off in late December, the Blazers pulled out a 6-point victory.
The Celtics and Blazers will face off for the second and final time this season
The Celtics are fresh off a last-second loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, and will look to bounce back on Monday against the Blazers. The Blazers are coming off a 12-point loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
The Celtics have won 5 of their last 10 games, and currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 28-17. They have the second-best net rating in the league (+7.2) and the best offensive rating (+121.2). They have the 12th-best defensive rating (+114).
The Blazers have won 7 of their last 10 games and hold the 9th-best record in the Western Conference at 23-23. They have the NBA’s 21st-best net rating (-1.6), 21st-best offensive rating (113.5), and 18th-best defensive rating (115.1). They’ve been led by Deni Avdija (26 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists per game), Shaedon Sharpe (21.9 points, 4.6 rebounds), Jerami Grant (19.2 points), and Jrue Holiday (15.4 points, 7.1 assists).
Celtics-Blazers tips off at 8pm at TD Garden.
