The Celtics go to the Toronto Raptors for the fourth and ultimate assembly between these two groups this season. The Celtics received the primary three video games thus far. The Celtics received the sequence 4-0 final season and have received their final seven video games towards the Raptors. The Celtics are 69-41 total all time towards the Raptors. They’re 28-27 all time in video games performed in Toronto.
After this sport, the Celtics return residence for 2 residence video games in a row as they host San Antonio and Denver. They then head out on the highway once more for a three-game highway journey to Houston, Dallas and Miami. They then head residence for a seven-game residence stand. Toronto is coming back from a 2-4 highway journey. That is their first sport again in Toronto and the primary of a three-game residence stand the place they may play Miami and Chicago after the Celtics.
The Celtics stay first within the East, two and a half video games forward of second-place Milwaukee, 5 video games forward of third-place Philadelphia, six and a half video games forward of fourth-place Indiana, and 7 video games forward of fifth-place Cleveland and sixth-place New York. They’re 11-9 on the highway and 7-3 of their final 10 video games. The are 10-1 towards Atlantic Division groups and 22-6 towards Japanese Convention opponents. They’re coming off a win of their final sport.
The Raptors are twelfth within the East, half a sport behind eleventh place Atlanta, one and a half video games behind Tenth-place Brooklyn and the ultimate play in spot. They’re eight video games behind sixth-place New York and the ultimate assured playoff spot. They’re 5 and a half video games forward of Thirteenth-place Charlotte. They’re 9-9 at residence and 4-6 of their final 10 video games. They’re 0-9 towards Atlantic Division groups and 9-17 towards Japanese Convention groups. They’ve misplaced their final three video games.
The Celtics have a clear damage report different Jaylen Brown, who’s out as a result of a knee hyperextension. For Toronto, Christian Koloko has not performed but this season and is out with a respiratory sickness. Jakob Poeltl is out with an ankle damage. Otto Porter Jr. has missed the final seven video games and is uncertain with a knee damage. Pascal Siakam missed the final three video games towards the Clippers and Jazz with again spasms, however he isn’t on the damage record right now.
Possible Celtics Starters
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Celtics ReservesDalano BantonOshae BrissettSam HauserLuke KornetSvi MykhailiukPayton PritchardLamar StevensJordan Walsh
2 Method PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonNeemias Queta
Accidents/OutJaylen Brown (knee) out
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Raptors Starters
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Raptors Reserves Chris BoucherGradey DickJalen McDaniels Otto Porter, JrGarrett TempleDennis SchroderGarrett TempleGary Trent, Jr
2 Method Gamers Javon Freeman-LibertyJontay PorterMarquis Nowell
Accidents/OutChristian Koloko (sickness) outJakob Poeltl (ankle) out Otto Porter, Jr (knee) uncertain
Head Coach Darko Rajakovic
Key Matchups
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Jayson Tatum vs Pascal Siakam Siakam is averaging 22.3 factors, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per sport. He’s taking pictures 52.6% from the sector and 33.1% from past the arc. Within the first 3 video games towards the Celtics he averaged 22.3points, 6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals. He shot 52.9% from the sector and 20% from three. If properly defended, he tends to wrestle on threes but when left open, he’s very able to hitting them.
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Derrick White vs Scottie BarnesBarnes is averaging 20.4 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per sport. He’s taking pictures 48.1% from the sector and 38.2% from past the arc. Within the first 3 video games towards the Celtics, he averaged 18 factors, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.7 blocks. He shot 36.5% from the sector and 36.7% from past the arc. He has been Toronto’s finest and most constant participant and it will likely be vital for the Celtics to defend him properly.
Keys to the Recreation Protection – Protection will all the time be the most important key to successful. The Celtics are 4th with a defensive ranking of 111.1 whereas the Raptors are twenty second with a defensive ranking of 116.9. If the Celtics hope to win this sport it must be with protection first. The Celtics should attempt to maintain them out of the paint as they common 54 factors within the paint (fifth). The Celtics have to drive them to play out of their consolation zone.
Rebound – The Raptors common 43.8 rebounds per sport (sixteenth) whereas the Celtics common 47.2 rebounds per sport (1st). Rebounding is essential to restrict second likelihood baskets and quick breaks. The Raptors are 2nd within the league with 17.6 quick break factors per sport. A lot of rebounding is effort and hustle. The Celtics should put out extra effort to beat the Raptors to rebounds.
Play Exhausting 48 Minutes – The Celtics want to start out off sturdy and never enable the Raptors to construct a result in begin the sport. Additionally they have to play laborious all through the sport and never enable the Raptors to go on runs to both pull forward or catch up. The Raptors are 4th quarter staff and so the Celtics can’t afford to let up and must play laborious proper up till the ultimate buzzer.
Transfer the Ball – The Celtics are twentieth within the league with 25.8 assists per sport. They play finest when the ball is shifting and gamers transfer to get open to search out 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 shifting somewhat than lapsing into hero ball. The Raptors are third with 29.5 assists per sport. The Celtics can’t let the Raptors get snug and must interrupt their passes whereas shifting the ball themselves.
X-FactorsOn the Highway – The Celtics are as soon as once more on the highway the place they’re 11-9. Journey, staying in motels, enjoying on an unfamiliar courtroom and in entrance of hostile followers all are distractions that may take away from gamers’ focus. The Celtics have to put all that behind them and deal with enjoying their sport. The Celtics are additionally going through an unfamiliar Raptors staff after a mid-season commerce.
Officiating – Whereas hardly ever is officiating a purpose for a win or a loss, it will possibly all the time be an x-factor. Each sport 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 way in which the sport is being referred to as and deal with enjoying and never on the dangerous calls which might be being made or not being made. Raptors coach, Darko Rajakovic will certainly let you know that officiating may be an x issue after he went on a rant in regards to the officers after a latest sport.
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