Hardwood Houdini
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Celtics vs Raptors: Most Meaningful Meaningless Game

By Joshua Bateman

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 6: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors on February 6, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 6: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors on February 6, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Celtics and Raptors may not have much to play for, but nobody is going to be taking the game lightly

The Boston Celtics are on one of their most difficult stretches of the season, winning five in a row including a four game road trip, with half of their roster and all their top players on the sidelines. On top of that the number one and two seed have been set for a bit now, making these games could for almost nothing in the standings.

The Celtics have more incentive than anyone else to pack it in and just think about the playoffs, but they are beating some of the best teams in the league. The Toronto Raptors, however, are definitely the best team they will have faced in this stretch.

The odd part is that the Raptors also have little to play for. Even if the Celtics managed to take both of these next two games from the Raptors, they are still going to be a game behind, and there is not enough games left to think the Celtics can make that up.

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Neither team has much to gain or lose in this game, and yet you better believe that there is going to be a playoff atmosphere. The Celtics are playing like a team possessed, with young players that are trying to prove people wrong every time they touch the ball.

The Raptors also do not want to give the Celtics any kind of momentum, and they need to make a statement against a team that does not have any of their top players. This is a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, but the Celtics are going to look like a completely different team by then.

The Raptors do not want to deal with losing to Boston’s reserves and G League players, but these young guys are not being pushed over by anyone, and will make sure the Raptors have to be working hard in order to get that win.

This game should have no impact on the standings or home court advantage, but it is going to mean a lot to all of the players. there is not much you can take from this to predict a playoff series, because both teams will need completely different approaches with how the rosters will look, making this game all about the immediate moment.

The Celtics get to return home, and the crowd cannot wait until they get an opportunity to show their love for these players that have brought some much excitement at a time when the team should have been falling apart.

Next: Boston Celtics: Oh How Far They've Come

The Raptors and Celtics should be staying right where they are in the standings no matter what, but another special performance from the players that are still out there could make this one of the best games of the season.

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