Celtics at Warriors
THE STORY: The Golden State Warriors made the first major splash ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, shipping leading scorer Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks in a five-player swap. The new-look Warriors will face a stiff test Wednesday night as they entertain the Boston Celtics. It isn't known whether Golden State will have new acquisitions Andrew Bogut or Stephen Jackson in the lineup. They competed just fine without them Tuesday, cruising past Sacramento 115-89. Boston has won seven of nine.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
ABOUT THE CELTICS (22-19): An impressive 94-85 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday improved Boston to 1-1 on a pivotal eight-game road trip. But as good as Boston has been of late, Tuesday's blockbuster between the Warriors and Bucks may have a negative impact on the club's playoff seeding. The Bucks are expected to be stronger with Ellis and big men Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown coming over from the Warriors. The Bucks come into Wednesday 4 1/2 games back of Boston for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (18-21): The shockwaves of Tuesday's trade resonated through the Golden State locker room prior to its game against the Kings. "I was stunned," said Warriors veteran Dorell Wright. "I took it hard. It was three guys I was close to as friends. You hear rumors every year, but most of the time they aren’t true. I’ve never been a part of something like this happening right before a game." Bogut and Jackson will be required to pass physicals before they're permitted to join the team.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Boston won both meetings between the clubs a season ago, scoring an average of 111 points in the two victories.
2. Ellis was a Celtics killer, averaging 22.9 points on 48 percent shooting in seven career meetings against Boston.
3. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge has confirmed that point guard Rajon Rondo will not be traded. Rumors have persisted that Boston was shopping Rondo.