The Toronto Raptors will be out to upset the visiting Boston Celtics for the second time in less than six weeks on Tuesday night and square their season series.
For their part, the Celtics will aim to avenge their 110-97 loss to the Raptors when the teams last met at Toronto on Jan. 15. It snapped Boston’s 10-game winning streak over Toronto that included home wins on Nov. 16 and Dec. 31.
The Celtics are 13-4 since the loss in Toronto and won for the ninth time in their past 10 games on Sunday with a 118-105 home victory over the New York Knicks.
The Raptors, meanwhile, are 8-8 since beating the Celtics, including a 127-109 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Toronto has lost six of eight, however.
After some inconsistency in December and January, the Celtics have looked like they are ready to defend their NBA championship come playoff time.
The Celtics showed their poise against the Knicks on Sunday when they had a 27-point lead dwindle to four points at 89-85 with 11:32 remaining.
“We just looked at each other and knew we had to bring it,” said New York’s Kristaps Porzingis, who had 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Celtics responded quickly, taking a 20-point lead with 3:54 remaining.
“It’s just all about staying poised,” said Jayson Tatum, who had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. “We didn’t get that lead in one play, and we’re not going to get it back in one play. Just keep building on making the right plays, understanding that no lead is necessarily safe, and they’re a good team. They’ve got good players. They’re going to make shots.”
“The goal wasn’t to win by 20; I didn’t care if we won by one,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It was (to) execute.”
In their win over the Suns, the Raptors had 23 points each from Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and reserve Chris Boucher, who added 10 rebounds.
Scottie Barnes, who had 20 points and nine rebounds, had a significant role in helping to hold Kevin Durant to 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting in an effort that showcased his defensive skills.
“I thought that Scottie set a tone for everybody else,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I don’t think that he is getting enough credit for how diverse he is defensively, and what he’s doing defensively for us as a team. Maybe that has something to do with our record. But if you have eyes and if you’re watching the game, you see that this guy is elite.”
Boucher provided spark off the bench. He did not play in the first quarter but emerged with 14 points in the second quarter.
When Phoenix cut the Toronto lead to two points with 5:02 remaining, Boucher responded with a 3-pointer on the next possession. He had nine points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter.
“Chris, as I’ve said many times this year, he’s the ultimate professional,” Rajakovic said. “I think he’s done a really good job.”
Center Jakob Poeltl (hip pointer) missed his seventh straight game on Sunday so Orlando Robinson has been starting at center with Boucher backing up.
“We don’t have a true backup (at center) and he’s stepping up in that role as well,” Rajakovic said. “And he really brings a lot of energy off the bench for us.”
