The Toronto Raptors are once again on a back-to-back as they travel to TD Garden to take on the reigning champion Boston Celtics.
Which presents a daunting challenge for a undermanned Raptors team that is missing Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.
Boston is an impressive 10-3, but they are second in the Eastern Conference behind the 14-0 Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Celtics are well rested having not played since Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets on the road.
However, Boston is not impossible to beat in their home as the Atlanta Hawks beat them 117-116 without Trae Young.
Toronto is coming off a low-scoring defeat at Scotiabank Arena to the Detroit Pistons. A bright spot was Jakob Poeltl, who put up a near 20-20 game with 25 points and 19 rebounds.
A downside to being plagued with injuries is that this Raptors team has to essentially play perfect basketball against the Celtics. Currently a 17.5 underdog, the two players needed most are RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick.
With Barrett having a poor game on Friday, he needs to bounce back.
Tonight’s game is dependent on three-point shooting and it is no surprise that Boston wants to get up their three-pointers. If they get going early from beyond the arc, it is going to get ugly quick.
If Atlanta is able to steal one against the Celtics, Toronto could at the very least make things interesting and make the Celtics work for a win.
Toronto Raptors (2-11) vs. Boston Celtics (10-3)
8:00 p.m. EST, Saturday, November 16, 2024
TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: TSN
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Ochai Agbaji
SF: Gradey Dick
PF: RJ Barrett
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Chris Boucher, Jonathan Mogbo, Jamison Battle
Projected Celtics Starting Lineup:
PG: Derrick White
SG: Jrue Holiday
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Neemias Queta
Key Reserves: Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet
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