The Celtics were extremely shorthanded on Thursday night in Denver, losing 89-75 after running out of gas late in the fourth quarter. But help is now on the way.
Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic, the two players acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, will join the Celtics this weekend in the middle of their four-game West road trip. Both are expected to be available for Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
"They both told me today that they were going to make it," coach Doc Rivers said. "They're going to fly in, take their physicals, do whatever they have to do, and then we'll have shootaround on Saturday morning. Our coaches will meet with them [Friday] and go over some of our stuff."
The Celtics will feel an immediate impact from adding the two former Thunder — easing the workload of their starters on the front line. Kevin Garnett played 38 minutes and Glen Davis, 36 in the team's loss Thursday in Denver.
But as for fully integrating Green and Krstic into the team, on and off the court, that'll be an ongoing process.
"It's going to take some time," Rivers said. "But at least we have a shootaround."
