After a perfect 4-0 homestand, the Celtics (24-23) will take their talents north of the border to take on the new-look Toronto Raptors (17-31).
With the subtraction of its starting point guard and power forward, Boston has gone undefeated.
With the addition of Rudy Gay, Toronto is 1-1.
Gay was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on January 30 and has averaged 24.5 points in two games as a Raptor.
The Raptors have lost 4 of their last 5 games, including a 100-85 defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon. However, don't be fooled. Toronto's starting lineup has improved with the addition of Gay and, according to various reports, their second-leading scorer and former number-one pick Andrea Bargnani is expected to return tonight.
That, along with the eighth-highest scoring bench in the NBA, make the Raptors a team not to be taken lightly.
Here's a preview:
Projected lineups:
Celtics:
Courtney Lee
Avery Bradley
Paul Pierce
Brandon Bass
Kevin Garnett
Raptors:
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Rudy Gay
Amir Johnson
Andrea Bargnani
Keys to the game:
1. No sitting around: The bench is going to be the key factor in tonight's game. As I previously mentioned, Toronto's bench is the eighth-best in the NBA. Boston's is 16th. However, over the last 5 games, the tables have turned. Boston's bench has been the third-highest scoring bench in the league, while Toronto comes in at 20th. Boston's bench has stepped up big time over the last week, and that's going to have to continue in order for the Celtics' winning streak to continue.
2. Hit the road, Celts: Over the past two seasons, the Celtics are 1-3 in at the Air Canada Centre, including 0-2 last season. Much has been made of the Celtics recent winning streak coming at home. Some feel that this won't continue once the Celtics hit the road. Boston has a chance to disprove the doubters tonight. With a win over an improved Raptors team to extend their winning streak to five games, the Celtics will change how everyone views them.
No comments:
Post a Comment