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The Celtics go to the Toronto Raptors for the fourth and remaining assembly between these two groups this season. The Celtics received the primary three video games up to now. The Celtics received the sequence 4-0 final season and have received their final seven video games in opposition to the Raptors. The Celtics are 69-41 general all time in opposition to 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 in opposition to Atlantic Division groups and 22-6 in opposition to 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 in opposition to Atlantic Division groups and 9-17 in opposition to Japanese Convention groups. They’ve misplaced their final three video games.
The Celtics have a clear harm report different Jaylen Brown, who’s out on account 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 harm. Otto Porter Jr. has missed the final seven video games and is uncertain with a knee harm. Pascal Siakam missed the final three video games in opposition to the Clippers and Jazz with again spasms, however he’s not on the harm record at the moment.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Reserves
Dalano Banton
Oshae Brissett
Sam Hauser
Luke Kornet
Svi Mykhailiuk
Payton Pritchard
Lamar Stevens
Jordan Walsh
2 Method Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Accidents/Out
Jaylen Brown (knee) out
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Raptors Starters
Raptors Reserves
Chris Boucher
Gradey Dick
Jalen McDaniels
Otto Porter, Jr
Garrett Temple
Dennis Schroder
Garrett Temple
Gary Trent, Jr
2 Method Gamers
Javon Freeman-Liberty
Jontay Porter
Marquis Nowell
Accidents/Out
Christian Koloko (sickness) out
Jakob Poeltl (ankle) out
Otto Porter, Jr (knee) uncertain
Head Coach
Darko Rajakovic
Key Matchups
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Jayson Tatum
Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
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Pascal Siakam
Photograph by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Photos
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 sphere and 33.1% from past the arc. Within the first 3 video games in opposition to the Celtics he averaged 22.3points, 6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals. He shot 52.9% from the sphere 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
Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
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Scottie Barmes
Photograph by Jordan Jones/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Derrick White vs Scottie Barnes
Barnes 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 sphere and 38.2% from past the arc. Within the first 3 video games in opposition to the Celtics, he averaged 18 factors, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.7 blocks. He shot 36.5% from the sphere and 36.7% from past the arc. He has been Toronto’s greatest and most constant participant and it will likely be essential for the Celtics to defend him properly.
Keys to the Sport
Protection – Protection will at all times 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 preserve them out of the paint as they common 54 factors within the paint (fifth). The Celtics must power 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 begin off sturdy and never enable the Raptors to construct a result in begin the sport. In addition they must play onerous all through the sport and never enable the Raptors to go on runs to both pull forward or catch up. The Raptors are a great 4th quarter crew and so the Celtics can’t afford to let up and should play onerous proper up till the ultimate buzzer.
Transfer the Ball – The Celtics are twentieth within the league with 25.8 assists per sport. They play greatest when the ball is shifting 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 shifting reasonably 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 should interrupt their passes whereas shifting the ball themselves.
X-Components
On the Street – The Celtics are as soon as once more on the highway the place they’re 11-9. Journey, staying in accommodations, taking part in on an unfamiliar courtroom 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 taking part in their sport. The Celtics are additionally dealing with an unfamiliar Raptors crew after a mid-season commerce.
Officiating – Whereas not often is officiating a motive for a win or a loss, it will probably at all times be an x-factor. Each sport is known as in another way. Some video games are known 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 known as and deal with taking part in and never on the unhealthy calls which can 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 latest sport.
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