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Boston Celtics (1-0) at Toronto Raptors (1-0)
Friday, October 19, 2018
8:00 PM EST
Regular Season Game #2, Road Game #1
TV: ESPN, NBCSB, TSN4/5
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, TSN Radio 1050 Toronto
Air Canada CentreProbable StartersPG
SG
SF
PF
C
Kyrie Irving...Jaylen Brown...Gordon Hayward
Jayson Tatum...Al Horford
Celtics ReservesTerry Rozier
Marcus Smart
Marcus Morris
Aron Baynes
Daniel Theis
Semi Ojeleye
Guerschon Yabusele
Brad Wanamaker
Robert Williams
InjuriesJabari Bird
Two Way PlayersWalt Lemon, Jr.
P. J. Dozier
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters PG
SG
SF
PF
C
Kyle Lowry...Danny Green...Kawhi Leonard
Pascal Siakim...Jonas Valanciunas
Raptors Reserves CJ Miles
Lucas Nogueira
Norman Powell
Serge Ibaka
Fred VanVleet
Malachi Richardson
Greg Monroe
Jordan Loyd
Injuries O. G. Anunoby (probable)
Delong Wright (questionable)
Two Way Players Chris Boucher
Head CoachNick Nurse
Game Notes The Celtics travel to Toronto to take on the Toronto Raptors for the first time this season. The game will pit the two early season favorites to rule the Eastern Conference this season.The Celtics come into the game after a convincing opening night victory over fellow Atlantic Division rival, the Philadelphia 76ers. Toronto, meanwhile, defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers comfortably in their home opener.
The Celtics will continue to rely on the dynamic play of 2nd year forward, Jayson Tatum, 3rd year guard, Jaylen Brown and veteran Al Horford in the starting lineup as forward, Gordon Hayward and star point guard, Kyrie Irving, make their way back from injuries that end the seasons early last year. Coach Stevens appeared to settle into a rotation of 9 players, each playing between 20-30 minutes in the opening game victory. Look for that to continue with Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes picking up the large majority of bench minutes.
The Raptors come off an offseason of great change after winning a franchise high 59 games only to be swept out of the second round by the Cavaliers. Coach Dwayne Casey was let go and replaced by new head coach Nick Nurse. Also, Toronto favorite DeMar DeRozan was traded along with big man Jakob Poeltl for superstar small forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Danny Green. Nurse has decided to place Pascal Siakim into the starting lineup, moving veteran PF, Serge Ibaka into a 6th man role off the bench. Toronto looks to have settled on a 10 man rotation with O. G. Anunoby, C. J. Miles, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell joining Ibaka as rotation players coming off the bench.