BOSTON — Brad Stevens rarely sees Kevin Durant play in person. In fact, thanks to injuries to the Oklahoma City Thunder star, Durant has played against the Boston Celtics only once since Stevens took over as head coach in 2013.
Durant is expected to be active when the Thunder visit TD Garden on Wednesday night, however, and as someone who appreciates good basketball, Stevens knows exactly what his team will face.
“He’s obviously a really talented guy,” the Celtics coach said during his pregame news conference. “His ability to score is ridiculous. He can score on the block. He can score in transition. He can score in isolation. He can score off wide pin-downs. He can score off pick-and-rolls. He can do it all. I mean, it’s really difficult (to guard him). And then when you add the fact in that he’s close to 7 feet tall, it becomes even more difficult.
“So we’re going to have to do our very best to make it as difficult as possible on him with multiple different guys getting that assignment and that opportunity. And it’s a lot easier said than done.”
Durant, whose most recent meeting with the Celtics came way back on Jan. 5, 2014, is averaging 28.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season, both of which represent team highs. The entire Celtics lineup will need to pitch in to limit him Wednesday night, but Stevens confirmed point guard Marcus Smart will draw that unenviable assignment to begin the game.
“We’ll just mix it up,” Stevens said. “I think (Smart) will play some on him. He’ll play early on him at least throughout the first six minutes or so, and then we’ll see from there.”
Boston, which won 100-85 earlier this season in Oklahoma City, is looking to rebound from its first two-game losing streak since late January.
Thumbnail photo via Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports Images
