Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics Prediction: The Raptors are an uncomfortable opponent for the Celtics

In the last 3 games between Toronto and Boston, things have gone into overtime, and the Canadian club has always won. The Raptors were stronger twice in the preseason - can they repeat their success in the regular season?

Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam are back from injury and have appeared in four of Toronto's last four games, but the Raptors have only won at home during this stretch. On the road, the team failed to defeat Brooklyn and New Orleans, but the day before, they beat Orlando at home (121:108). The Canadian squad still has lineup problems. Otto Porter is one of the key players on the bench.

Against the Magic, O.G. Anunoby, who led Toronto's offense during the absence of Siakam and Barnes, proved himself again in the game. Anunoby scored 32 points on 12 of 17. An essential factor in their success was that the Raptors had 12 steals, nine of which were by Siakam, Anunoby, and Vanvleet.

The Celtics have won 6 of their last seven regular-season games, maintaining their lead in the Eastern Conference. That's not to say things have gone very smoothly for Boston, with one rotation player being repeatedly out of action due to an injury or the coach giving Al Horford a rest. Marcus Smart is currently in the infirmary, and Robert Williams is unlikely to return to action before the end of the year. In Smart's absence, the team beat Brooklyn on the road, 103:92. Jaylen Brown scored 30+ points for the 2nd straight year, but Jason Tatum didn't let up this time. He had 29 points on 10 of 19. Tatum's poor effort was the reason behind Miami's loss the night before, though the Celtics lost by a narrow margin, 116:120.

The Celtics are undoubtedly the best team in the NBA, but their play is slowly declining. They can be without Marcus Smart when you have a weakened Brooklyn playing against you, but Toronto is particularly good at home. Even without Siakam and Barnes, the Raptors looked good on defense, but they lacked the help of their leaders on offense. Boston is good on defense on the offensive end, but the opponents sometimes have trouble on the court. The Celtics won't be comfortable against such an opponent, as evidenced by their recent head-to-head encounters.

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