Boston Celtics Game Tonight: Celtics vs Raptors Injury Report, Starting Lineup, Predictions, TV Channel for April 7
The Boston Celtics head into their penultimate game of the 2022-23 season on April 7 against the Raptors at the TD Garden with very little to lose. Boston has already clinched the No. 2 seed and the Bucks have already clinched the No. 1 seed.
Toronto, on the other hand, can play its way into the No. 7-No. 8 NBA Play-in matchup with a win against a Celtics squad that just beat the Raptors on April 5 in a game that saw both teams push the four-point spread.
With little to gain for Boston and plenty to gain for Toronto, Friday night will offer a watered-down version of the Celtics — but can Joe Mazzulla still coach his team to a victory as slight favorites at the spread?
40-40. 81. NBC Sports Boston. Celtics -2.5. Friday, April 7. 55-25. 18. 7:30 PM ET
Toronto Raptors: 14th (ORtg), 11th (DRtg), 25th (Pace), 11th (NRtg)
Boston Celtics: 2nd (ORtg), 3rd (DRtg), 17th (Pace), 1st (NRtg)
Boston Celtics Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Marcus Smart, SG – Derrick White, SF – Jaylen Brown, PF – Jayson Tatum, C – Al Horford
Toronto Raptors Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Fred VanVleet, SG – Scottie Barnes, SF – OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, C – Jakob Poeltl
Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors Injury Report
Celtics PG Marcus Smart (neck) – Questionable
Celtics PG Payton Pritchard (heel) – Questionable
Celtics SG Derrick White (left ankle sprain) – Questionable
Celtics PG Malcolm Brogdon (low back pain) – Questionable
Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors Prediction
The Houdini isn’t sure what lineup we’d see from the Celtics should the entire backcourt end up inactive on Friday night. JD Davison could be due for more minutes than he’s received yet — his career-high in minutes played is just seven — and Sam Hauser could also get the start, unless Boston goes big with their lineup.
Whatever configuration Mazzulla comes up with may be due for a loss considering what Toronto has to play for.
Celtics 115 Raptors 118