Gameday: Raptors @ Celtics, April 5th
It is a potential playoff preview matchup sunday afternoon between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics. Currently the Boston Celtics are second the in the Eastern Conference standings while Toronto is half a game up on the Philadelphia 76ers for the sixth-seed spot.
It been a tale of two narratives for both these franchises as of late. After a strong start to the season for the Raptors they have hit a middle ground, desperately trying to find their way out of nuetral. Toronto is 5-5 in their last ten games. For the Celtics, they have hit a new gear since Jayson Tatum has returned from his ACL injury. Boston is clicking on all cylinders, hoisting a 8-2 record in their last ten games .
Raptors Outlook
Record: 43-34 | 6th in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 114.7 (15th) | Defensive Rating: 112.2 (7th) | Net Rating: +2.5 (12th)
Raptors last five games results
Vs Pelicans W 106-119
Vs Magic W 87-139
@ Pistons L 116-127
Vs Kings L 123-115
@ Grizzlies W 128-96
The Raptors picked up a much-needed win on Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, allowing them to climb back out of the top play-in spot. Immanuel Quickley will miss his eighth straight game of the season, as he continues to deal with plantar faciitis, leaving the point guard role back in the hands of Scottie Barnes. Quickley has started to workout without a boot, but remains without a timetable for a return to game action. Barnes’ playmaking since taking on this new role has hit a new level. In Quickley’s absense he has tallied more than ten-plus assists in each six of the last seven games. He had six in a row before the Memphis game, tying former Raptors star, Kyle Lowry for the most in a row in frnachise history. All together Toronto will roll out a much healthier squad against the Celtics compared to the last time these two teams met up head-to-head on Jan. 18th. Toronto were without three starters in that ball game: Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and Jakob Poeltl.
Celtics Outlook
Record: 52-25 | 2nd in Eastern Conference
Offensive Rating: 119.9 (2nd) | Defensive Rating: 111.8 (4th) | Net Rating: +8.1 (4th)
The Boston Celtics continue to make ground in the Eastern Conference as they sit 4.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the conference. This afternoon they may be getting another lineup boost as Nikola Vucevic (finger) who has been sidelined since Mar. 6th has been upgraded to questionable. The Celtics have had Toronto’s number for the last few seasons now. In their last ten games, against them they are 9-1. They are also currently 3-0 against them in the three games they matched up together this season alone. Tatum has put all concerns to whether he could return to his former self as he is already way ahead of schedule in his injury comeback. He has grabbed double-digit rebounds in five of his past six contests. He is also just two games removed from an outing against the Miami Heat where he dropped a 28 point, 18 rebound, 11 assist triple-double.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 3:30 p.m. ET
Television: Sportsnet One
Radio: TSN 1050
Venue: TD Garden
Starting Lineups (Projected)
Boston Celtics
PG: Derrick White
SG: Sam Hauser
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Neemias Queta
Toronto Raptors
PG: Scottie Barnes
SG: Ja’Kobe Walter
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Brandon Ingram
C: Jakob Poeltl
Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
Immanuel Quickley (foot) – Out
Chucky Hepburn (G-League Assignment) – Out
Boston Celtics
Nikola Vucevic (Finger) – Questionable
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