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Boston Celtics (30-9) at Toronto Raptors (15-24)
Monday, January 15, 2024
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #40, Road Game #21
TV: NBCSB, TSN, NBA-LP
Radio: Sirius XM, 98.5 The Sports Hub, Sportsnet Radio 590
Scotiabank Arena 
Probable Starting Matchups Point Guard 
vs
Jrue Holiday vs Immanuel Quickley
Shooting Guard 
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Derrick White vs Scottie Barnes
Small Forward 
vs
Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett
Power Forward 
vs
Jayson Tatum vs Pascal Siakam
Center 
vs
Kristaps Porzingis vs Thaddeus Young
Celtics ReservesDelano Banton
Oshae Brissett
Sam Hauser
Al Horford
Luke Kornet
Svi Mykhailiuk
Payton Pritchard
Lamar Stevens
Jordan Walsh
2 Way PlayersJD Davison
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Injuries/OutNone
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Raptors Reserves Chris Boucher
Gradey Dick
Jalen McDaniels
Otto Porter, Jr
Garrett Temple
Dennis Schroder
Garrett Temple
Gary Trent, Jr
2 Way Players Javon Freeman-Liberty
Jontay Porter
Marquis Nowell
Injuries/Out Christian Koloko (illness) out
Jakob Poeltl (ankle) out
Otto Porter, Jr (knee) doubtful
Head Coach Darko Rajakovic
Game Notes The Celtics visit the Toronto Raptors for the 4th and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first 3 games so far. The Celtics won the series 4-0 last season and have won their last 7 games against the Raptors. The Celtics are 69-41 overall all time against the Raptors. They are 28-27 all time in games played in Toronto.
After this game, the Celtics return home for two home games in a row as they host San Antonio and Denver. They then head out on the road again for a 3 game road trip to Houston, Dallas and Miami. They then head home for a 7 game home stand. Toronto is returning from a 2-4 road trip. This is their first game back in Toronto and the first of a 3 game home stand where they will play Miami and Chicago after the Celtics.
The Celtics remain 1st in the East, 2.5 games ahead of 2nd place Milwaukee, 5 games ahead of 3rd place Philadelphia, 6.5 games ahead of 4th place Indiana, and 7 games ahead of 5th place Cleveland and 6th place New York. They are 11-9 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. The are 10-1 against Atlantic Division teams and 22-6 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The Raptors are 12th in the East, half a game behind 11th place Atlanta, 1.5 games behind 10th place Brooklyn and the final play in spot. They are 8 games behind 6th place New York and the final guaranteed playoff spot. They are 5.5 games ahead of 13th place Charlotte. They are 9-9 at home and 4-6 in their last 10 games. They are 0-9 against Atlantic Division teams and 9-17 against Eastern Conference teams. They have lost their last 3 games.
The Celtics have no one on the injury report at this time. For Toronto, Christian Koloko has not played yet this season and is out with a respiratory illness. Jakob Poeltl is out with an ankle injury. Otto Porter, Jr. has missed the last 7 games and is doubtful with a knee injury. Pascal Siakam missed the last 3 games against the Clippers and Jazz with back spasms but he is not on the injury list at this time.
Key Matchupsvs
Jayson Tatum vs Pascal Siakam
Siakam is averaging 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He is shooting 52.6% from the field and 33.1% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics he averaged 22.3points, 6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals. He shot 52.9% from the field and 20% from three. If well defended, he tends to struggle on threes but if left open, he is very capable of hitting them.
vs
Derrick White vs Scottie Barnes
Barnes is averaging 20.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. He is shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.2% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.7 blocks. He shot 36.5% from the field and 36.7% from beyond the arc. He has been Toronto's best and most consistent player and it will be important for the Celtics to defend him well.
Honorable MentionJaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett
This will be the Celtics first time playing the Raptors since they acquired RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Barrett is averaging 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He is shooting 44.8% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Against Boston this season (with the Knicks) he averaged 23.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He shot 47.2% from the field and 40.3% from beyond the arc.
Keys to the Game Defense - Defense will always be the biggest key to winning. The Celtics are 4th with a defensive rating of 111.1 while the Raptors are 22nd with a defensive rating of 116.9. If the Celtics hope to win this game it will have to be with defense first. The Celtics must try to keep them out of the paint as they average 54 points in the paint (5th). The Celtics need to force them to play out of their comfort zone.
Rebound - The Raptors average 43.8 rebounds per game (16th) while the Celtics average 47.2 rebounds per game (1st). Rebounding is very important to limit second chance baskets and fast breaks. The Raptors are 2nd in the league with 17.6 fast break points per game. Much of rebounding is effort and hustle. The Celtics must put out more effort to beat the Raptors to rebounds.
Play Hard 48 Minutes - The Celtics need to start off strong and not allow the Raptors to build a lead to start the game. They also need to play hard throughout the game and not allow the Raptors to go on runs to either pull ahead or catch up. The Raptors are a good 4th quarter team and so the Celtics can't afford to let up and have to play hard right up until the final buzzer.
Move the Ball - The Celtics are 20th in the league with 25.8 assists per game. They play best when the ball is moving and players move to get open to find the best shots. When the ball sticks, the offense is stagnant and the Celtics struggle to score. They need to make good passes and keep the ball moving rather than lapsing into hero ball. The Raptors are 3rd with 29.5 assists per game. The Celtics can't let the Raptors get comfortable and have to interrupt their passes while moving the ball themselves.
X-FactorsOn the Road - The Celtics are once again on the road where they are 11-9. Travel, staying in hotels, playing on an unfamiliar court and in front of hostile fans all are distractions that can take away from players' focus. The Celtics need to put all that behind them and focus on playing their game. The Celtics are also facing an unfamiliar Raptors team after a mid-season trade.
Officiating - While rarely is officiating a reason for a win or a loss, it can always be an x-factor. Every game is called differently. Some games are called tightly and some games are allowed to be more physical. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the game is being called and focus on playing and not on the bad calls that are being made or not being made. Raptors coach, Darko Rajakovic will definitely tell you that officiating can be an x factor after he went on a rant about the officials after a recent game.
Topic: Celtics (30-9) at Raptors (15-24) Game #40 1/15/24 (Read 6360 times)