The second round of the playoff series has commenced and the matchups have been quite gripping. One such matchup is that of the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. Both the teams have statistically shown the ability to be winners. While the Raptors had only lost one game the entire time upon entering the bubble, both teams have also showcased a clean sweep against their opponents in round one.
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Now that they have been placed against one another, the Celtics have outshone the reigning NBA Champions. They had held a 2-0 lead until the previous game and since then, the Raptors seem to be inching closer. With the current score at 2-1, will the Raptors bring it to a tie or will the Celtics remain ahead?
Boston Celtics injury update and lineup predictions
Boston has been the only team in the series that have been able to defeat the Raptors. Even game 3 was a very close call, and if it wasn’t for OG Anunoby’s buzzer-beater, the Celtics were at a two-point lead and would have walked away with another win.
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Nevertheless, the Celtics seem like they have it under control. They have done an excellent job of putting the brakes on the Raptors’ offensive beast, Pascal Siakam. Jayson Tatum has guided them well and Kemba Walker also dropped 29 points along with three assists in the previous game. On the defensive end, they have Jaylen Brown who can guard any frontcourt player.
The Celtics will continue to play in the absence of Gordon Hayward (ankle), Tremont Waters (knee), and Javonte Green (knee). The predicted lineup would be Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Daniel Theis.
Toronto Raptors injury update and lineup predictions
The Raptors were just extremely lucky in the previous game because if one were to look at it otherwise, the Celtics made them work really hard for one win. The key players from the Raptors have not stepped up as they were supposed to.
Pascal Siakam’s attack mode has seemed to disappear, whereas Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet really need to find a solution to defend the Celtics. It is OG Anunoby and Serge Ibaka who have risen to the occasion for the Raptors. Even though they have returned to the bubble, Oshae Brissett (knee) and Patrick McCaw (knee) will not be appearing for this game.
Thus, the predicted lineup would be Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Marc Gasol.
Game predictions
The Raptors can’t be underestimated because they overcame a 2-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals last season as well. However, it just appears that everything is working in favor of the Celtics. They will give the Raptors a really hard time before they let the Raptors overpower them.