Game 71 Preview: Raptors at Celtics

Via Boston Herald

The Celtics (23-47) begin the first of a home-and-home with the Toronto Raptors (39-31) tonight at the TD Garden.

The Raptors, who lead the Atlantic Division by a game and a half over the Brooklyn Nets, have been a pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference. They sit a half game behind the Chicago Bulls for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto has dropped four of its last six, including a tough loss last night to the Cleveland Cavaliers by the final of 102-100.

The Celtics are back in action for the first time since they fell to the Nets last Friday, 114-98.

Projected lineups:

Raptors:
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Terrence Ross
Amir Johnson
Jonas Valanciunas

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kris Humphries

Keys to the game:

1. Lowry vs. Rondo: Rajon Rondo needs to own this matchup with Kyle Lowry. Lowry is having a terrific season. He is averaging 17.6 points, 7.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 70 games this season. Rondo is continuing to regain his explosiveness, and he is going to need every ounce of it to stop Lowry tonight.

2. The three: Nearly a quarter of Toronto's offense comes from three-point land. The Celtics have been very good all season at defending the three, boasting the fourth best three-point defense in the NBA. They're going to need to step up defensively and limit Toronto's effectiveness from long distance.