Tip: 7PM Court: Air Canada Centre Watch it: CSN Hear it: WEEI
Referees: Bennie Adams, Brent Barnaky and Pat Fraher
Spread: TOR -3.0
The Matchup
 |
 |
| Record: 24-23 | Record: 17-31 |
| On road: 7-14 | At home: 12-12 |
| Streak: Won 4 | Streak: Lost 1 |
| Leaders | Leaders |
| Buckets: Pierce (18.6 ppg) | Buckets: DeMar DeRozan (17.6 ppg) |
| Boards: Garnett (7.3 rpg) | Boards: Amir Johnson (6.9 rpg) |
| Dimes: Pierce (4.0 apg) | Dimes: Kyle Lowry (5.8 apg) |
| For the Stat Geeks: | For the Stat Geeks: |
| Offensive Rating: 102.2 (27th NBA) | Offensive Rating: 106.3 (12th NBA) |
| Defensive Rating: 102.7 (7th NBA) | Defensive Rating: 108.3 (26th NBA) |
| Pace: 91.3 (18th NBA) | Pace: 90.0 (25th NBA) |
Last time
The Celtics destroyed the Raptors, 107-89, on November 17. Rajon Rondo, the man who many believe is a human clog for the Celtics offense, had 20 assists. Jason Terry, the man many believe has been hampered by Rondo’s existence, scored 20 points. The C’s have lost 3 of the last 4 games in Toronto.
This time
Get it to: Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass
Attack the Raptors frontcourt. While Amir Johnson is an above-average defender, he’s also foul prone. And Aaron Gray is a heavy-footed 7-footer who should be a liability in pick-and-pops and in transition. Andrea Bargnani – out for two months with an elbow injury – is expected to play tonight. Depending on his level of rust, he could help defend against Boston’s jump shooting bigs.
Gotta stop: Rudy Gay
The newest Raptor is averaging 24.5 ppg since landing in Toronto. He has range and can finish on the break. Paul Pierce is going to need some help.
Despite being one of the top offenses in the league, the Raptors are the least effective in transition. But that may change with the addition of Gay and the promotion of Kyle Lowry to starting point guard. While the Celtics will focus on stopping Toronto’s half-court offense, they better not sleep or else Gay and DeMar DeRozan will put on a dunk contest.
How we see it goin’ down
The Celtics are sinking to a pathetic level on the road – they’ve dropped 3 straight and 11 of 14. But should they really be 3 point underdogs to the woeful Raptors – a team that’s dropped 9 of 12?
I like Boston to continue it’s smart play, especially coming off a couple days of rest and practice.
Celtics 103
Raptors 99
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