"The Toronto Raptors are looking to add a win to their two-game winning streak and in order to do so they will have to defeat the visiting Boston Celtics. In their last matchup the Celtics torched Toronto with their shooting, dropping in 20 three pointers which lifted them to a win. Toronto will be looking to avenge that loss tonight, and if they want to keep building this new winning streak, they have to keep Boston in check offensively."
"Toronto could be without their big man in Jakob Poeltl again tonight due to his back injury, and this could spell terror for them. Without Poeltl the team takes a hit to their rebounding, and the last team you want to be generating second chance looks is a team with the shooting prowess that Boston has. The defensive end is where Boston has all the holes, they have a weak point guard defender in Payton Pritchard, an average to below average defender in Neemias Queta and with the load that Jaylen Brown has had this season he can not take on the defensive responsibilities like he used to."
"Scottie Barnes is primed for a big game tonight, as he has been using his size in recent games to impose his will on teams without defensive dynamos in the paint. With a likely frontcourt of Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta, Barnes will have ample opportunity to attack the paint, and he can turn the post as well and generate good looks from there against this team."
Toronto enters the matchup 17-11, third in the Eastern Conference, with an offensive rating of 114.8 (12th), defensive rating of 112.4 (8th), and net rating of +2.4 (10th). Jakob Poeltl’s questionable status due to a back injury threatens the Raptors’ rebounding and could allow Boston extra second-chance opportunities. Boston ranks third in three-point attempts per game and second in three-point makes, listed at 43.3 attempts and 16 makes per game. Defensive vulnerabilities include Payton Pritchard at point guard and limitations from Neemias Queta and Jaylen Brown. Scottie Barnes is expected to attack the paint against Boston’s frontcourt.
Read at Raptors Republic
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