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The Celtics and Raptors meet in Toronto for the fourth and closing recreation between them this season.
Boston Celtics (30-9) at Toronto Raptors (15-24)
Monday, January 15, 2024
7:30 PM ET
Common Season Sport #40, Street Sport #21
TV: NBCSB, TSN, NBA-LP
Radio: Sirius XM, 98.5 The Sports activities Hub, Sportsnet Radio 590
Scotiabank Area
The Celtics go to the Toronto Raptors for the fourth and closing assembly between these two groups this season. The Celtics received the primary three video games to date. The Celtics received the collection 4-0 final season and have received their final seven video games in opposition to the Raptors. The Celtics are 69-41 total all time in opposition to the Raptors. They’re 28-27 all time in video games performed in Toronto.
After this recreation, the Celtics return dwelling for 2 dwelling video games in a row as they host San Antonio and Denver. They then head out on the street once more for a three-game street journey to Houston, Dallas and Miami. They then head dwelling for a seven-game dwelling stand. Toronto is getting back from a 2-4 street journey. That is their first recreation again in Toronto and the primary of a three-game dwelling stand the place they are going to 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 street 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 Jap Convention opponents. They’re coming off a win of their final recreation.
The Raptors are twelfth within the East, half a recreation 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 dwelling 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 Jap Convention groups. They’ve misplaced their final three video games.
The Celtics have a clear harm 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 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 isn’t on the harm checklist 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
Jayson Tatum vs Pascal Siakam
Siakam is averaging 22.3 factors, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 52.6% from the sector 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 sector and 20% from three. If effectively defended, he tends to wrestle on threes but when left open, he’s very able to hitting them.
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 recreation. He’s taking pictures 48.1% from the sector 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 sector and 36.7% from past the arc. He has been Toronto’s greatest and most constant participant and will probably be vital for the Celtics to defend him effectively.
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Keys to the Sport
Protection – Protection will all the time be the largest key to profitable. The Celtics are 4th with a defensive score of 111.1 whereas the Raptors are twenty second with a defensive score of 116.9. If the Celtics hope to win this recreation it must be with protection first. The Celtics should attempt to hold them out of the paint as they common 54 factors within the paint (fifth). The Celtics must pressure them to play out of their consolation zone.
Rebound – The Raptors common 43.8 rebounds per recreation (sixteenth) whereas the Celtics common 47.2 rebounds per recreation (1st). Rebounding is essential to restrict second probability baskets and quick breaks. The Raptors are 2nd within the league with 17.6 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 Arduous 48 Minutes – The Celtics want to start out off sturdy and never enable the Raptors to construct a result in begin the sport. In addition they must play exhausting 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 workforce and so the Celtics can’t afford to let up and need to play exhausting proper up till the ultimate buzzer.
Transfer the Ball – The Celtics are twentieth within the league with 25.8 assists per recreation. They play greatest when the ball is shifting and gamers transfer to get open to search out the most effective photographs. When the ball sticks, the offense is stagnant and the Celtics wrestle to attain. They should make good passes and hold the ball shifting relatively than lapsing into hero ball. The Raptors are third with 29.5 assists per recreation. The Celtics can’t let the Raptors get comfy and need to interrupt their passes whereas shifting the ball themselves.
X-Elements
On the Street – The Celtics are as soon as once more on the street 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 concentrate on taking part in their recreation. The Celtics are additionally dealing with an unfamiliar Raptors workforce after a mid-season commerce.
Officiating – Whereas hardly ever is officiating a cause for a win or a loss, it could actually all the time be an x-factor. Each recreation is named 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 concentrate on taking part in and never on the unhealthy calls which are 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 in regards to the officers after a latest recreation.
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