Preview: Celtics Look For Third Straight Win

The Boston Celtics look to get revenge on the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night

The Boston Celtics have turned the script over the past two games. It may have been against two of the bottom-dwellers of the Eastern Conference, but they were huge wins for a team who was going through one of their worst stretches of the season. Boston enters the game 41-30 and are on a two-game winning streak. The division-leading Toronto Raptors have won seven of their last eight games and sit at an impressive 48-21, closing in on the number one seed.

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These two teams recently played each other within the week, with the Raptors winning easily 105-91. They controlled the game and it was clear that they’re on another tier than Boston.

The Celtics have started to get healthier though, with Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko returning to action.

Toronto is dealing with a lot of injuries but continue to win. Jonas Valanciunas, Patrick Patterson, and James Johnson are all questionable to play.

X-Factors

It was a bad loss for Boston the last time these two teams met. Everyone got a little run for the Celtics as they were out of it early. Isaiah Thomas and Evan Turner were the only two players to score in double-digits and there wasn’t much ball movement, as they only recorded 18 assists.

Avery Bradley played 33 minutes, tied for the most on the team, and also owned the worst plus/minus. He owned a -26, and shot 4-13 from the field for eight points. He did record three steals and held DeMar DeRozan to 15 points, however, they will need more out of him on offense if they want a chance to win.

Bradley has scored at least 20 points in the past two games, and was a key factor in the Celtics maintaining their lead late in the fourth quarter. He knocked down some clutch shots in crunch time, and also provided solid defense as well. Bradley has been a streaky player this season on offense, and has struggled against Toronto.

In three games this season, Bradley averages only 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and two steals per game in 32.9 minutes against the Raptors. He also has averaged a -21.3 plus/minus. Part of that is due to Toronto’s well-balanced team, however, Bradley has also not shown up when they take on the Raptors.

He did a good job on DeRozan in their last game, however, DeRozan is still averaging 24 points per game against Boston this season. Isaiah Thomas has shown that he needs help on the offensive end, and Bradley and Turner stepped up over the past couple of games. Now Boston is set to take on a playoff team and Bradley needs to be a reliable option, especially from deep, or the Celtics will struggle.

Kyle Lowry has cemented himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA. He proved that during their last matchup as he went for 32 points, five assists, and four rebounds. He shot 9-14 from the field and the Celtics had no answer for him.

He is one of the best all-around guards in the league and Isaiah Thomas has not been able to guard him effectively this season. Marcus Smart could see more time to guard him, meaning less time for Evan Turner who has played very well in his three starts.

The loss of Jae Crowder is very real in this situation as it forces them to have Isaiah Thomas guard Lowry. Brad Stevens will need to find a way to implement Marcus Smart into the game early, or before Lowry gets going.

If Toronto is without Patterson and Valanciunas, they will have to play smaller which will benefit the Celtics and possibly allow them to use a small-ball lineup. Either way, Lowry is the leader of the team and the offense runs through him. He sets up teammates, scores, and has a big body to help him rebound.

This is a big game for a Boston team that should have their confidence back. Winning the games they should is key for the Celtics, but winning games against playoff teams is what matters most. Boston is on a two-game winning streak but has struggled against Toronto this season. Toronto is going for the season sweep, something the Celtics would hate to see.

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A win would be huge for Boston’s confidence and when it comes to the standings. It seems unlikely that the Celtics will enter their road trip on a three-game winning streak, but the motivation to not get swept is there.