Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics: Hoping to avoid ringing in the New Year with a thud

Can the Raptors get up for this New Year’s Eve game, or are they done for the calendar year?

The Toronto Raptors, mired in a ten-game losing streak, face an improbable opportunity to reverse their fortunes as they host the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena for their final game of the calendar year. The Celtics are poised for another deep playoff run, sitting at 23-9, and currently 2nd in the Eastern Conference standings. Coincidentally, the Raptors are also 2nd in the Eastern Conference but from the bottom. They struggle to find consistency on both ends of the court, tied with the Charlotte Hornets at 7-25.

Coach Darko Rajakovic and his Raptors are faced with the improbable task of snapping their losing streak against the Celtics, who are currently in a slump, losers of five of their last nine games. It’s a bit uncharacteristic for the Celtics to look like they’re playing with food, but it’s probably the defending champs’ curse to take their foot off the gas. It’s so bad that the Celtics’ leader Jaylen Brown essentially called out his team:

Every Celtics player and coach that got reps with the mic after their loss against the Indiana Pacers spoke about defense, and there’s no better guinea pig than coach Rajakovic’s offense. With RJ Barrett and potentially Gradey Dick out for tonight’s game, all eyes will be on Scottie Barnes and the team’s overall effort.

Hopefully, the Raptors will develop a coherent game plan for how to slow Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, averaging 28.5 and 24.9 points per contest. Ochai Agbaji and Bruce Brown will have to work double time defensively, as they are the only non-centre on the Raptors’ roster that’s a neutral defender at the very least. With Barrett out, Barnes will need to play a bigger role in setting the tempo and being the engine of coach Darko’s offense.

The question is whether the Raptors will just punt this game away and prepare for the much more winnable game against the Brooklyn Nets the following day. They have all the excuses in the book, as itemized by several media outlets, and the Celtics, who are eager to make a statement game, will be a tough cookie to handle. Adding another loss to their losing streak won’t change their fortune any time soon, and a win against the Nets will serve as a temporary deodorant that will give coach Darko and the Raptors some respite.

For the Raptors’ fanbase, it’s a big ask to expect a win against the Celtics, but given the Christmas present (vs New York Knicks) and the Boxing Day present (Memphis Grizzlies), the Raptors produced. Hopefully, they can give the fanbase a huge present by giving them some hope and turning today’s game into a feel-good one: It doesn’t have to be a win, but a competitive loss.

That’s all we’re asking.

As much as the Raptors’ fanbase appreciates the team creating more time to spend with family and friends, the fanbase wants to see and deserve more than what we’ve seen lately. That said, here’s our 10 New Year’s resolution for the Raptors:

Raptors New Year’s Resolution

1. Stay healthy
2. Play with effort
3. Play with heart
4. Play better individual defense
5. Play better team defense
6. Commit to defense
7. Create a better game plan
8. Play through strengths offensively
9. Show up in games
10. Get a premium Synergy account

Where to Watch

Sportsnet, 3:00 PM EST

Lineups

Toronto: Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Ochai Agbaji, Jakob Poeltl, Scottie Barnes

Boston: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

Injuries

Toronto: Immanuel Quickley — elbow (OUT), Gradey Dick — hamstring (questionable), RJ Barrett — illness (OUT), Davion Mitchell — illness (questionable), Bruno Fernando — Toe (questionable)

Boston: Jrue Holiday — shoulder (questionable), Kristaps Porzingis — ankle (questionable),