Raptors vs. Celtics Game Thread: Pre-game updates, TV info, and more

The Toronto Raptors will look to get back in the win column and end their two-game losing streak against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden tonight.

Toronto is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Pistons; after being up by 19 points in the third quarter, Toronto fell when Reggie Bullock knocked down the game-winning shot. The win was great for Detroit but particularly bad for Toronto, as former Raptors head coach Dwane Casey led the Pistons to victory. Nothing feels better than winning against the former team that fired you.

However, just like any loss, the Raptors can look past it, and fortunately for them, Danny Green and Serge Ibaka will be back from injuries for tonight’s game. Their absence was felt in the game against Detroit as Green left the game with lower back tightness and Ibaka was out with a sore knee.

Norman Powell (left shoulder subluxation) and C.J. Miles (right adductor strain) will continue to nurse their injuries and will be out of the lineup.

The up-and-down Celtics are 8-6 on the season and will look to keep the momentum going in the second game of a three-game homestand. If anything came out of their Wednesday night 111-82 blowout victory against the Chicago Bulls, it’s that they seem to be getting back on track. It was a complete all-around effort by Boston as six players scored in double-figures and no Celtic played more than 30 minutes.

They should have fresh legs going into tonight’s game; in addition, Celtics forward Marcus Morris, who was questionable for tonight’s game with an illness, will be ready to go.

Toronto won the first game of this four-game division series back on October 19, coming out with a 113-101 victory. In his second game as a Raptor, Kawhi Leonard was the star of that game as he led Toronto with a double-double outing, recording 31 points and 10 rebounds. This time out should also be a good one as Celtics’ guard Kyrie Irving calls it a “competitor’s dream.”

Here is the complete game preview from Zakaria Abdulle as well as Conor McCreery’s head-to-head player matchup between the Celtics and Raptors to see which team is better and has the better players.

Now, onto the details for tonight’s game. Let’s watch!

Where to Watch:

Sportsnet One, 7:00 p.m. ET

Lineups:

Toronto – Kyle Lowry, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka

Boston – Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

Injuries:

Toronto – Norman Powell (OUT – left shoulder subluxation), C.J. Miles (OUT – right adductor strain)

Boston – Jabari Bird (OUT – personal)