The Celtics go to the Toronto Raptors for the 4th and closing assembly between these two groups this season. The Celtics are 2-1 within the 3 video games up to now. The Celtics received each video games in Boston and misplaced an unpleasant one to a shorthanded Raptors staff within the final recreation in Toronto. The Celtics received the collection 4-0 final season. The Celtics are 72-43 general all time in opposition to the Raptors. They’re 28-29 all time in video games performed in Toronto.
That is the primary of again to again video games for the Celtics. They’ll journey to Detroit for the 2nd half of the again to again set on Wednesday. The Celtics are 6-2 on the primary evening of again to again video games and they’re 3-1 when the primary recreation is on the highway. The Raptors are additionally enjoying within the first of again to again video games. They’re 2-8 on the primary evening of again to again video games and can play at Indiana on Wednesday.
The Raptors modified their roster this off season with free agent signings, trades and the draft. They signed Immanuel Quickley, Garrett Temple, Bruno Fernando, and Jamison Battle as free brokers. They traded Jalen McDaniels for Davion Mitchell. They drafted Ulrich Chomche (57), Jamal Sheed (45), Jonathan Mogbo (31) and Ja’Kobe Walter (19).
They misplaced Jordan Nwora, Gary Trent, Jr, and Malik Williams to free company. They launched Bruno Fernando on the commerce deadline. In addition they traded former Celtic Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown, Jr to New Orleans for Brandon Ingram. In addition they traded Davion Mitchell to Miami for PJ Tucker, who’s away from the staff and has not performed for the staff. In addition they traded for James Wiseman, who was waived.
The Celtics are 2nd within the East, 6 video games behind the primary place Cleveland Cavaliers, who’ve received their final 7 video games. They’re now 4 video games forward of the third place Knicks after the Celtics beat them on Sunday. The Celtics are 23-6 on the highway. They’re 9-1 of their final 10 video games. They’re 30-9 in opposition to Japanese Convention groups and 9-2 in opposition to the Atlantic Division. The Celtics have received their final 5 video games.
The Raptors are thirteenth within the East, 29 video games behind first place Cleveland. They’re 13 video games behind sixth place Detroit, 4 video games behind tenth place Chicago and a couple of.5 video games behind twelfth place Philadelphia. They’re 3 video games forward of 14th place Charlotte. They’re 13-18 at dwelling and 3-7 of their final 10 video games. They’re 11-25 in opposition to Japanese Convention opponents and 4-7 in opposition to Atlantic Division groups. They’re coming off a win of their final recreation.
The Celtics started the ultimate stretch after the All Star break with a 20 level win at Philadelphia earlier than returning dwelling to beat the Knicks by 13. After this recreation at Toronto, they’ll play at Detroit in again to again video games. They then have a 7 recreation dwelling stand in opposition to Cleveland, Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, LA Lakers, Utah, and Oklahoma Metropolis. After the 7 dwelling video games they’ll play 8 of the subsequent 9 video games on the highway, together with one other journey out West.
The Celtics have 5 gamers on the damage report. The excellent news is that Neemias Queta, who missed the final recreation with an sickness, and Xavier Tillman, who missed the final 3 video games with knee irritation, are each listed as possible. Because the Celtics are enjoying in again to again video games. Jrue Vacation is out for relaxation and Al Horford (toe) is questionable. Luke Kornet is out for private causes. I don’t anticipate Al to play and with Kornet additionally out, I’m going to guess that Sam Hauser will get the beginning.
For the Raptors, Gradey Dick (thigh) is possible. Jakob Poeltl has missed the final 7 video games with a hip damage however is listed as questionable for this recreation. New Raptor, Brandon Ingram, has but to swimsuit up for his new staff and stays out for this one with an ankle damage. PJ Tucker is just not with the staff and has not suited up for the Raptors as but. Two Manner participant Ulrich Chomche (knee) can be out.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
Celtics ReservesPayton PritchardBaylor ScheiermanJordan WalshTorrey CraigXavier Tillman Neemias Queta
2 Manner PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Accidents/OutXavier Tillman (knee) possible Neemias Queta (sickness) possible Al Horford (toe) questionable Jrue Vacation (relaxation) out Luke Kornet (private) out
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Raptors Starters
Grid View
Raptors Reserves Ochai AgbajiJamison BattleChris BoucherJonathan MogboJared Rhoden (10 Day)Jamal SheadGarrett TempleJa’Kobe Walker
2 Manner Gamers Ulrich ChomcheAJ Lawson Orlando Robinson
Accidents/Out Grady Dick (thigh) possible Jakob Poeltl (hip) questionable Ulrich Chomche (knee) out Brandon Ingram (ankle) outPJ Tucker (not damage associated) out
Head CoachDarko Rajakovic
Key Matchups
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Sam Hauser
Picture by Emilee Chinn/Getty Pictures
RJ Barrett
Picture by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Sam Hauser vs RJ BarrettBarrett is averaging 21.9 factors, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per recreation. He’s capturing 47.6% from the sphere and 36.2% from past the arc. Within the 2 video games in opposition to the Celtics this season, Barrett averaged 23.5 factors, 10 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 1 steal and 1 block per recreation whereas capturing 44.4% from the sphere and 25.3% from the sphere.
Grid View
Jayson Tatum
Picture by Maddie Meyer/Getty Pictures
Scottie Barmes
Picture by Jordan Jones/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Jayson Tatum vs Scottie BarnesBarnes is averaging 19.9 factors, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per recreation. He’s capturing 47.6% from the sphere and 27% from past the arc. In 2 recreation in opposition to the Celtics this season, Barnes averaged 17 factors 8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per recreation whereas capturing 42.9% from the sphere and 15.4% from past the arc. Jayson Tatum has been enjoying very properly for the reason that break and hopefully that continues on this recreation.
Keys to the Recreation Protection – Protection will all the time be the important thing to profitable. If the Celtics hope to win the championship once more this season, it should be with protection first. The Celtics are able to locking down groups with suffocating protection, however they should put the hassle into it. Thus far this season, they’ve put that sort of effort out at instances and at different instances have slacked off. They have been 1st within the common season and 1st within the playoffs on protection final season. The Celtics are fifth at the moment with a defensive ranking of 109.6. The Raptors are twenty fifth with a defensive ranking of 115.6. The Celtics allowed the Raptors to shoot 50.6% from the sphere of their loss to the Raptors in January. They should tighten up their protection on this one in the event that they wish to win.
Rebound – Rebounding is second solely to protection as a key to profitable. The Raptors are nineteenth with 43.9 rebounds per recreation whereas the Celtics are eighth with 45.3 rebounds per recreation. Final season, the Celtics have been 2nd knocking down 46.3 rebounds per recreation. Rebounding is essential to restrict second likelihood baskets and quick breaks. The Raptors are thirteenth with 14.5 second likelihood factors per recreation. A lot of rebounding is effort and hustle. Of their January loss to the Raptors, the Celtics have been out rebounded 56-45. The Celtics should put out extra effort to beat the Raptors to rebounds on this one.
Don’t Underestimate – A number of of the Celtics losses this season have come by the hands of groups they need to have beat however didn’t as a result of they failed to offer the hassle wanted to get the win. The primary recreation in opposition to the Raptors this season went to time beyond regulation when it ought to have been a blow out. And the Celtics misplaced their final recreation in opposition to the Raptors as a result of they allowed the brief handed Raptors to play tougher than them. The Celtics have to come back into this recreation prepared to offer most effort and to play the Raptors like they’re the highest staff within the league. They will’t underestimate them due to their file or their accidents. In the event that they do, they may find yourself with one other misplaced recreation that they need to have received.
Transfer the Ball – The Celtics are seventeenth within the league with 26 assists per recreation. They play greatest when the ball is transferring and gamers transfer to get open to search out the very best photographs. When the ball sticks, the offense is stagnant and the Celtics wrestle to attain. They should make good passes and preserve the ball transferring fairly than lapsing into hero ball. The Raptors are ninth with 28.6 assists per recreation. Of their loss to the Raptors this season, the Celtics had simply 24 assists to 35 for the Raptors. The Celtics can’t let the Raptors get comfy and should interrupt their passes whereas transferring the ball themselves.
X-FactorsOn the Street – The Celtics are as soon as once more on the highway the place they’re 23-6, however a kind of 6 losses was in Toronto. Journey, staying in lodges, enjoying on an unfamiliar court docket and in entrance of hostile followers all are distractions that may take away from gamers’ focus. The Celtics must put all that behind them and deal with enjoying their recreation.
Officiating – Whereas hardly ever is officiating a motive for a win or a loss, it will probably all the time be an x-factor. Each recreation known as in a different way. Some video games are referred to as tightly and a few video games are allowed to be extra bodily. The Celtics have to regulate to the best way the sport is being referred to as and deal with enjoying and never on the unhealthy calls which might be being made or not being made. Raptors coach, Darko Rajakovic will certainly inform you that officiating could be an x issue after he went on a rant concerning the officers after a recreation final season and was ejected in December for a profanity laced rant on the ref throughout a recreation.
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