Thunder vs. Celtics Preview: Don't Get It Twisted

Things have been rough lately as far as the Thunder are concerned, but things looked a whole lot better on Monday night when they demolished Portland 128-94.

Oklahoma City has held three consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 points for the first time since the middle of January and saw some real energy return to the team for the first time in what seems like forever.

Wednesday's trip to Boston could require another adrenaline shot.

Boston, which might be dead-last in the NBA in star power but No. 1 in quality rotation depth, seems to always play hard. Here are a couple of things to think about before tipoff:

Don't get it twisted

Remember the last time these two teams met way back on Nov. 15? That was the game where former Oklahoma State star Marcus Smart poured on 26 points and grabbed eight boards as the Celtics cruised to a 100-85 victory in Oklahoma City. Smart also held Russell Westbrook to 5-of-20 shooting.

That was also the game where Westbrook famously reminded the media afterward to not "get it twisted," referencing the perception that Smart got the better of him.

At that time, we weren't sure what to make of the Celtics while OKC was still thought of as a potential title contender. Fast forward to now and things look a little different. Both teams sit in the No. 3 spot in their respective conference and both are likely to threaten but not beat their conference's top dog come playoff time.

Goin' baaaack to back

Maybe its their youth. Or perhaps its depth, or even coaching. Regardless, the Celtics have been lights-out in back-to-back scenarios this season. To be exact, Boston is 10-4 on the second night of back-to-backs and 18-10 in back-to-back games overall.

The Celtics have played 14 sets of back-to-backs this season and have only been swept once. So why is all this important? Boston lost at Indiana Tuesday night.

Notes

-Boston (39-28) is expected to be without small forward Jae Crowder, who scored 10 points in the Celtics' aforementioned win in OKC.

-Kevin Durant has missed four consecutive contests against the Celtics due to varying injuries. He should be a full-go on Wednesday.

-Dion Waiters is expected to join the Thunder in Boston. Waiters missed OKC's previous four games as he mourned the loss of his brother in Philadelphia.