The Celtics host the Toronto Raptors for the second of 4 conferences this season. The Celtics gained the primary recreation 117-94 on November 11. They are going to meet yet one more time in Boston on December 29 and they’re going to play yet one more in Toronto on January 15. The Celtics gained the sequence 4-0 final season and have gained their final 5 video games in opposition to the Raptors. The Celtics are 67-41 total all time in opposition to the Raptors. They’re 27-27 all time in Toronto.
That is the Celtics second In Season Event recreation. They gained their first IST recreation in opposition to the Nets 121-107 on Friday 11/10. That is the Raptors’ first In Season Event recreation. The Celtics are first in East Group with a 1-0 document. The Nets are 2nd at 2-1. The Bulls and Magic are third and 4th with an 0-1 document. The Raptors are fifth with no video games performed thus far.
That is the 2nd recreation of a 4 recreation highway journey for the Celtics. They gained the primary recreation of the highway journey over Philadelphia on Wednesday. They are going to face Memphis and Charlotte again to again earlier than going house to face the Bucks. Toronto is on the third recreation of a 4 recreation house stand. They’re 1-1 thus far, having beat the Wizards after which shedding to the Bucks.
The Celtics are 4-2 on the highway this season. They’re 6-1 in opposition to Atlantic Division opponents, with the lone loss coming in opposition to the 76ers. The Celtics have gained their final 4 video games. The Raptors are 3-3 at house and 0-3 in opposition to Atlantic division opponents. They’re coming off a loss to the Bucks. That is the Celtics’ sixth straight recreation in opposition to Atlantic Division groups.
Kristaps Porzingis missed Wednesday’s recreation with a knee contusion. He’s questionable for this recreation as effectively. If he can’t play on this one, Al Horford ought to get one other begin at middle. Jaylen Brown missed Wednesday’s recreation with a non-covid sickness and is questionable for this recreation. If he’s unable to play on this recreation, Sam Hauser will probably begin in his place once more. Nonetheless, each Brown and Porzingis particiapted in shoot round and each hope to play on this recreation. Al Horford is listed as possible with a sprained toe.
For the Raptors, Gary Trent, Jr has missed the final 3 video games with a foot damage, however he practiced on Thursday and is listed as possible for this recreation. OG Anunoby missed the final 2 video games with a finger laceration that he sustained whereas doing family chores. He’s listed as uncertain for this recreation. With Anunoby out, Gradey Dick began the final recreation and can probably get the beginning once more if Anunoby continues to be out. Christian Koloko is out with an sickness.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Reserves
Delano Banton
Oshae Brissett
Sam Hauser
Luke Kornet
Svi Mykhailiuk
Al Horford
Payton Pritchard
Lamar Stevens
Jordan Walsh
2 Manner Gamers
JD Davison
Nathan Knight
Neemias Queta
Accidents/Out
Neemias Queta (foot) out
Al Horford (toe) possible
Kristaps Porzingis (knee) questionable
Jaylen Brown (sickness) questionable
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Raptors Starters
Raptors Reserves
Chris Boucher
Malachi Flynn
Jalen McDaniels
Otto Porter, Jr
Garrett Templs
Thaddeus Younger
2 Manner Gamers
Javon Freeman-Liberty
Ron Harper, Jr
Marquis Nowell
Accidents/Out
Christian Koloko (sickness) out
Gary Trent, Jr (foot) possible
OG Anunoby (finger) uncertain
Head Coach
Darko Rajakovic
Key Matchups
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Derrick White
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
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Scottie Barmes
Picture by Jordan Jones/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Derrick White vs Scottie Barnes
Barnes is averaging 20.9 factors, 9.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks per recreation. He’s taking pictures 47.5% from the sphere and 37.5% from past the arc. The Celtics restricted him fairly effectively of their first assembly as he completed with 10 factors, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, effectively under his averages. He shot simply 26.7% from the sphere and 22.2% from past the arc. He has been Toronto’s greatest and most constant participant and it will likely be necessary for the Celtics to defend him effectively.
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Jayson Tatum
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
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Pascal Siakam
Picture by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Photos
Jayson Tatum vs Pascal Siakam
Siakam is averaging 18.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 46.8% from the sphere and 24% from past the arc. Within the first recreation in opposition to the Celtics he completed with 17 factors, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and three steals. He shot 35.3% from the sphere and didn’t try a 3. He’s struggling considerably on 3s but when left alone, he’s very able to hitting them.
Honorable Point out
Jrue Vacation vs Dennis Schroder
Former Celtic Dennis Schroder is taking part in effectively for the Raptors. He’s averaging 14.8 factors, 2.7 rebounds. 7.5 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation. He’s taking pictures 41.3% from the sphere and 35.3% from past the arc. Towards the Celtics within the first recreation, he completed with 14 factors, 1 rebound 4 assists, and 1 steal whereas taking pictures 47.9% from the sphere and 33.3% from past the arc.
Keys to the Sport
Protection – Protection will at all times be the important thing to successful. The Celtics are 2nd with a defensive score of 106.6 whereas the Raptors are tenth with a defensive score of 110.6. If the Celtics hope to win this recreation it must be with protection first. The Celtics should attempt to maintain them out of the paint as they common 52.9 factors within the paint. The Celtics must power them to play out of their consolation zone.
Rebound – The Raptors common 46.9 rebounds per recreation (sixth) whereas the Celtics common 47.9 rebounds per recreation (1st). Rebounding is essential to restrict second probability baskets and quick breaks. The Raptors are third within the league with 15.3 quick break factors per recreation. A lot of rebounding is effort and hustle. The Celtics should put out extra effort to beat the Raptors to rebounds.
Play Laborious 48 Minutes – The Celtics want to start out off sturdy and never permit the Raptors to construct a result in begin the sport. Additionally they must play exhausting all through the sport and never permit the Raptors to go on runs to both pull forward or catch up. The Raptors maintain opponents to 24.6 factors within the 4th quarter, which is tops within the East. They’re first with lowest opponent subject purpose share within the 4th quarter so the Celtics can’t afford to let up. They need to play exhausting proper up till the ultimate buzzer.
Transfer the Ball – The Celtics are 18th within the league with 25 assists per recreation. They play greatest when the ball is transferring and gamers transfer to get open discover one of the best photographs. When the ball sticks, the offense is stagnant and the Celtics wrestle to attain. They should make good passes and maintain the ball transferring relatively than lapsing into hero ball.
X-Components
Accidents – Three of the Celtics prime 6 gamers are coping with sickness or accidents. For sure, if Kristaps Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford can’t play, then it will get a lot more durable for the Celtics. They have been capable of beat the 76ers with out Porzingis and Brown. If each are out once more, can the Celtics depth come via once more to tug out one other win? If each Porzingis and Horford are out, that will make them very skinny up entrance.
In Season Event – That is the Celtics 2nd In Season Event recreation and it’s the Raptors first. Will the Raptors make an additional effort to win this recreation due to the event? Will the Celtics put additional emphasis on this recreation due to the event? We may even see extra effort and power from one or each groups as they give the impression of being to realize an edge on the opposite groups within the group.
Officiating – Whereas not often is officiating a cause for a win or a loss, it may possibly at all times be an x-factor. Each recreation is known as in another 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 taking part in and never on the unhealthy calls which can be being made or not being made.
