The Boston Celtics will face off against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST, looking to extend their current five-game winning streak. The Celtics currently hold a strong record of 41-16, placing them second in the Eastern Conference, while the Raptors sit at 18-39, languishing in 13th place.
Toronto has struggled this season, particularly in conference games with an 11-25 record, as well as a disappointing 9-30 mark against teams with winning records. In contrast, the Celtics thrive in their division games, having won 9 out of 11 matchups so far.
This matchup highlights some intriguing statistics. The Celtics average 117.4 points per game, which is slightly higher than the 116.4 points the Raptors concede. However, the Raptors’ ability to make 11.7 three-pointers per game is notable, as they are just below the 12.6 three-pointers average that the Celtics allow per game.
Key players to watch include Scottie Barnes from the Raptors, who is averaging 19.9 points with a shooting percentage of 44.7%, and Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who is performing exceptionally with averages of 26.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Notably, Derrick White is also contributing significantly, averaging 3.7 made three-pointers over the last ten games.
In their last ten games, the Celtics have demonstrated dominance with a 9-1 record, scoring 118.2 points on average while allowing only 105.9 points to opponents. On the other hand, the Raptors have experienced difficulties, going 3-7, and averaging 109.1 points with opponents typically scoring 116.7 points against them.
In terms of injuries, the Raptors are facing significant challenges with key players such as Ulrich Chomche and Jakob Poeltl sidelined, while the Celtics will monitor Xavier Tillman Sr. and Neemias Queta, who are day-to-day.
The matchup promises to be an exciting contest as the Celtics aim to continue their winning ways, while the Raptors will seek to find momentum during a challenging season. As the teams take the court, both will be looking to assert themselves in the Eastern Conference landscape.