Celtics take on high flying Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors

The high flying Toronto Raptors come into Boston somewhat reeling after a 102-100 loss to the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers playing without injured star point Kyrie Irving last night. Making matters worse, Brooklyn has cut down Toronto's lead in the Atlantic to 1 1/2 games with barely over ten games to go.

This is an important point considering Toronto and Brooklyn appear to be on a collision course to meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Celtics fans can take solace in the fact that even though Toronto's not playing their best basketball as of late the Raptors have two of the most exciting players in the league.

Second year guard Terrence Ross won the dunk contest in his first season and is averaging close to 11 ppg. this season.



Coming Straight Outta Compton DeMar DeRozan is a highlight reel waiting to happen and is averaging close to 23 points per.



Both players are younger than 25 years old.

There also is the statistic that Toronto hasn't won in Boston in over six years and this game opens a home-and-home set as Boston travels to the great white north on Friday.

Take all these factors into consideration and Celtic fans should be in for an exciting game.

Boston comes into the contest having lost to the Nets at Barclay's Center last Friday in a game where Avery Bradley tore up Brooklyn for 28 on 12-19 shooting. Future Celtic Hall of Famer Paul Pierce continued his stellar play for the Nets this game scoring 14 on 6-10 shooting in only 18 minutes of PT.

Rajon Rondo comes into the tilt against the Raptors having struggled at the offensive end recently shooting less than 30% his last six games. However, he has had an over to 7-1 assist to turnover rate during this period as well.

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