The Boston Celtics take a fast journey throughout the US-Canada border to face off towards the Toronto Raptors tonight. This shall be Boston’s third time dealing with off towards Toronto, successful the 2 prior matchups. The primary matchup was again in November when the Celtics wanted extra time and a Jayson Tatum game-winning three to come back out on prime 126-123 at TD Backyard.
Extra lately, Boston and Toronto squared off on New Yr’s Eve with the Celtics once more defending house court docket with a 54-point thrashing of the Raptors 125-71.
Boston has had blended outcomes these days and received six out of their final 10 video games. Most lately, 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 house 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 successful 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 present sit thirteenth within the Jap Convention.
Harm information:
The Celtics would not have any gamers listed on the harm report.
Harm Report for tomorrow at Toronto:
No accidents to report
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 14, 2025
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.
The Raptors at the moment are calling Immanuel Quickley’s harm a left groin pressure. He didn’t observe right now and is taken into account day-to-day. Appears unlikely for tomorrow vs Boston.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 14, 2025
Key Matchups
Scottie Barnes vs. Jayson Tatum.
Every group’s greatest participant is having a powerful season to date. Barnes, in his fourth season with the Raptors, has elevated his scoring common every year. This season, he’s averaging 20.4 factors per sport, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per sport. Every part begins and ends with Barnes and if the Celtics can gradual him down, they’ll have an excellent shot of successful 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 powerful marketing campaign final 12 months, it was exhausting to think about how far more Tatum may enhance, however he’s doing extra on the glass than he’s ever carried out in prior seasons.
Picture by Mark Blinch/Getty Photographs
RJ Barrett vs. Jaylen Brown
The one matchup that I’m curious to observe is Jaylen Brown vs. RJ Barrett. Brown when he’s locked in has been in a position to defend the opposing group’s greatest 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 a number of video games earlier this month on account of sickness however he’s again wholesome and beginning for Toronto.
Picture By Winslow Townson/Getty Photographs
Celtics bigs vs. Jakob Poeltl
In opposition to the Kings, the Celtics struggled to maintain Domantas Sabonis off of the glass. Sabonis completed with 23 factors and 28 rebounds. In opposition to the Raptors, though he’s not nearly as good of a rebounder as Sabonis, the Celtics will want to verify 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 verify Boston doesn’t lose the rebounding battle.
It’s a sport on paper the place the Celtics ought to win, nonetheless, the Raptors shall be feeling assured after their win over Golden State. If Boston thinks they will simply stroll into the Scotiabank Enviornment and depart with one other 50+ level win, they are going to be in for a impolite awakening.
