Celtics Looking To Win Season Series Against Raptors On Wednesday Night
On Wednesday night the Boston Celtics will play the second of back-to-back road games in their final matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
With five remaining for both teams, the Raptors hold a two-game lead over the C’s in the Eastern Conference standings heading into this potential playoff preview.
The Raptors are sitting at 5-5 over their last 10, while the short-handed Celtics are 7-3.
In their matchup on Saturday night in Boston, the C’s won their sixth straight, locking up second place in the East with a, 110-99, win over the Raptors.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 1, 2018
If the Celtics can pull off another win on Wednesday night, they’ll have a legitimate shot at overtaking the top spot in the East with four games remaining for each team.
In three meetings this season with the Raptors, the Celtics have won both games at home and lost one on the road.
This year against the Celtics, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have been a two-headed monster that the C’s have been able to contain.
In three games, DeRozan is averaging 23.6 points on 45 percent shooting from the field and 20 percent from three. He’s also averaging 4.3 rebounds to go with 5.6 assists.
For Lowry, he’s averaging 17.6 points on 42.3 percent shooting from the field and 41.5 percent from three. The stinge guard is average 4 rebounds and 6.6 assists through three games against the C’s.
RELATED: Celtics Still Have A Shot At Top Spot In East With One Game Left Against Raptors
Earlier in the day on Tuesday the Celtics announced that they would be without Shane Larkin (illness) and Terry Rozier III (left ankle sprain), leaving them without a point guard.
With both Larkin and Rozier out, guard Kadeem Allen was recalled from the Maine Red Claws to get the start at the point. And this could be the case again against the Raptors with both of their statuses still uncertain.
The final stretch for the Celtics includes games against the following:
- @ Toronto Raptors (#1 @ 55-20) – Season Record: 2-1
- Chicago Bulls (#13 @ 24-51) – Season Record: 2-1
- Bulls are riding a three-game winning streak.
- Atlanta Hawks (#15 @ 21-54) – Season Record: 3-0
- Hawks were recently riding a four-game losing streak.
- @ Washington Wizards (#6 @ 41-34) – Season Record: 1-2
- Celtics won in overtime and lost in double overtime earlier in the year.
- Brooklyn Nets (#12 @ 24-51) – Season Record: 3-0
The final stretch for the Raptors includes games against the following:
- Boston Celtics (#2 @ 52-23) – Season Record: 1-2
- Indiana Pacers (#5 @ 45-31) – Season Record: 2-1
- Pacers just had a four-game winning streak snapped.
- Orlando Magic (#14 @ 22-52) – Season Record: 2-0
- @ Detroit Pistons (#9 @ 35-40) – Season Record: 3-0
- Pistons are riding a five-game winning streak in a push for the eighth spot.
- @ Miami Heat (#7 @ 41-35) – Season Record: 1-1
RELATED: Bucks Snap Celtics’ Six-Game Winning Streak With, 106-102, Win
UP NEXT: The Celtics (53-24) will play the second of back-to-back road games on Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors (55-22). Catch the call of the game with Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, live on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Pre-game coverage begins at 7:30 p.m., with tip-off set for 8:00 p.m.
— By John ‘The Dude’ Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
John Hardiman is a Digital Producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for John? Hit him up on Twitter @HardiDude or e-mail him at [email protected].
