Post by Admin on Jan 4, 2021 18:21:01 GMT -5
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors Game #8 1/4/21
The Celtics play the Raptors for the first time since their 7 game series in the Bubble.
By flceltsfan
The Celtics and Raptors meet for the first time since the Celtics won a hard fought 7 game series in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in the Bubble. The Raptors are playing this season in Tampa, Florida because travel in and out of Canada would have been too difficult considering the pandemic.
After posting a 53–19 record for a .736 winning percentage last season, which was the best winning percentage in franchise history, the Raptors have had a very slow start this season, winning just 1 of their first 5 games. They are starting the same players as last season with the exception of former Celtic Aron Baynes starting in place of Marc Gasol, so there shouldn’t be that much of a drop off.
These two teams will face each other again on February 12 and March 4, with both games being played in Boston. The Celtics are playing on the second night of back to back games after a 122-120 win over the Pistons. They also had to travel from Detroit to Tampa after the game. The Raptors last played on Saturday when they lost 120-116 at the Pelicans.
The Celtics could be very shorthanded in this one. They will be missing Kemba Walker (knee) and Romeo Langford (wrist) as they have all season so far. Javonte Green is still out due to health and safety protocols (Covid). Jeff Teague left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for this one. Marcus Smart sprained his thumb in Sunday’s game and is questionable for this game. If both Teague and Smart are out, we may see Payton Pritchard get his first career start. For the Raptors, Patrick McCaw is out as he rehabs from knee surgery.
After posting a 53–19 record for a .736 winning percentage last season, which was the best winning percentage in franchise history, the Raptors have had a very slow start this season, winning just 1 of their first 5 games. They are starting the same players as last season with the exception of former Celtic Aron Baynes starting in place of Marc Gasol, so there shouldn’t be that much of a drop off.
These two teams will face each other again on February 12 and March 4, with both games being played in Boston. The Celtics are playing on the second night of back to back games after a 122-120 win over the Pistons. They also had to travel from Detroit to Tampa after the game. The Raptors last played on Saturday when they lost 120-116 at the Pelicans.
The Celtics could be very shorthanded in this one. They will be missing Kemba Walker (knee) and Romeo Langford (wrist) as they have all season so far. Javonte Green is still out due to health and safety protocols (Covid). Jeff Teague left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for this one. Marcus Smart sprained his thumb in Sunday’s game and is questionable for this game. If both Teague and Smart are out, we may see Payton Pritchard get his first career start. For the Raptors, Patrick McCaw is out as he rehabs from knee surgery.
Injuries
Romeo Langford (wrist) out
Kemba Walker (knee) out
Javonte Green (covid 19 protocols) out
Jeff Teague (ankle) out
Marcus Smart (thumb)
Key Matchups
Lowry is the longest tenured Raptor and is their leader. He is averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game this season. This should be a good matchup and Marcus Smart sprained his thumb in Sunday’s game and is questionable for this game. With Jeff Teague out due to an ankle injury, we may see Payton Pritchard in the starting lineup.
Jaylen Brown vs Fred VanVleet
Jaylen Brown vs Fred VanVleet
VanVleet is leading the Raptors with 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals. If the Celtics don’t play tough defense on him, he is capable of taking over a game. Jaylen has been playing at an elite level and the Celtics will need that from him again in this game.
Honorable Mention
Daniel Theis vs Pascal Siakam
Siakam has had a rough start to the season, but is still averaging 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He is shooting just 39.4% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc. He sat out Toronto’s only win for disciplinary reasons. Daniel Theis will be tasked with keeping him from getting back on track in this game.
Attachments:
