Boston Celtics (28-11) at Toronto Raptors (9-31) Game #40 1/15/25

The Boston Celtics take a fast journey throughout the US-Canada border to face off towards the Toronto Raptors tonight. This might be Boston’s third time going through off towards Toronto, profitable the 2 prior matchups. The primary matchup was again in November when the Celtics wanted time beyond regulation and a Jayson Tatum game-winning three to return out on prime 126-123 at TD Backyard.

Extra not too long ago, Boston and Toronto squared off on New Yr’s Eve with the Celtics once more defending residence courtroom with a 54-point thrashing of the Raptors 125-71.

Boston has had blended outcomes recently and received six out of their final 10 video games. Most not too long ago, they narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in a sport that got here all the way down to the wire. After a 3-1 highway journey, the Celtics have been surprised at residence towards the Kings. Despite the fact that the Celtics haven’t been dominating as a lot as they did final season, they nonetheless sit firmly in second place simply 5.5 video games behind Clevland in first and three video games forward of the Knicks. Now on Wednesday, the Inexperienced and White will look to place collectively a profitable streak towards a struggling opponent.

The Raptors are recent off of a house win towards Golden State on Monday. Earlier than the sport towards the Warriors, Toronto was on a five-game dropping streak dropping to the Magic, Bucks, Knicks, Cavs, and Pistons. They at the moment sit thirteenth within the Japanese Convention.

Harm information:

The Celtics shouldn’t have any gamers listed on the harm report.

For Toronto towards Golden State, Immanuel Quickley missed the sport and was listed with a hip harm. It appears unlikely he’ll be wholesome to play towards Boston on Wednesday evening. Quickley had a sport to recollect towards the Celtics in years previous when he was a member of the Knicks when he posted a then career-high 38 factors again in 2023.

Key Matchups

Scottie Barnes vs. Jayson Tatum.

Every group’s finest participant is having a robust season to this point. Barnes, in his fourth season with the Raptors, has elevated his scoring common annually. This season, he’s averaging 20.4 factors per sport, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per sport. All the pieces begins and ends with Barnes and if the Celtics can gradual him down, they’ll have shot of profitable the sport.

Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics in factors (28.1), assists (5.3), rebounds (9.4), and steals (1.3). The one class he doesn’t lead the group in is blocks. After a formidable marketing campaign final yr, it was onerous to think about how rather more Tatum might enhance, however he’s doing extra on the glass than he’s ever completed in prior seasons.

RJ Barrett vs. Jaylen Brown

The one matchup that I’m curious to look at is Jaylen Brown vs. RJ Barrett. Brown when he’s locked in has been in a position to defend the opposing group’s finest gamers and make them work for each shot. He’ll should be on his A-game towards Barrett who’s been having fun with a profitable season again in his native nation.

Since being dealt to Toronto for OG Anunoby, RJ Barrett has regarded just like the promising prospect everybody coveted after his lone season at Duke College. Barrett is main the Raptors in scoring with 22.4 factors per sport. The guard missed just a few video games earlier this month resulting from sickness however he’s again wholesome and beginning for Toronto.

Celtics bigs vs. Jakob Poeltl

Towards the Kings, the Celtics struggled to maintain Domantas Sabonis off of the glass. Sabonis completed with 23 factors and 28 rebounds. Towards the Raptors, though he’s not nearly as good of a rebounder as Sabonis, the Celtics will want to ensure Jakob Poeltl doesn’t dominate the glass. The Austrian is averaging 14.8 factors and 10.6 rebounds.

It’s going to take a group effort to ensure Boston doesn’t lose the rebounding battle.

It’s a sport on paper the place the Celtics ought to win, nevertheless, the Raptors might be feeling assured after their win over Golden State. If Boston thinks they’ll simply stroll into the Scotiabank Area and go away with one other 50+ level win, they are going to be in for a impolite awakening.