Normally when the Boston Celtics take on the Toronto Raptors on the road, things are considerably different than they will be tonight when the two teams tip off.
Much of that difference has to do with the fact that the Raptors “home” will be at Tampa, Florida’s Amalie Arena, as the Canadian government would not allow teams to cross the border in a pandemic, necessitating the temporary relocation. And normally, Toronto (or is it Tampa?) has quite a formidable front court, and while old friend Aron Baynes may be devastating still when he’s on and hitting from deep, he has yet to really find his stride as the anchor of the 1 – 4 Raptors, now without Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol both.
Walker, Langford, Green, Teague OUT vs Raps; Smart questionable https://t.co/y438HSzRZO
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 4, 2021
Toronto does have a health advantage down only guard Patrick McCaw (knee), with Jeff Teague (ankle) joining Kemba Walker (knee), Romeo Langford (wrist) and Javonte Green (health and safety protocol) on the list of sitting players, veteran Marcus Smart (thumb) listed as questionable as well.
Add in Boston’s defensive woes and still-under-construction rotations, and we’ll likely see as close a game as ever between these two Atlantic Division foes.
When the tip comes at 7:30 pm ET, we’ll find out.
