Game thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics

Oct 5, 2022 - 11:00 PM

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The Toronto Raptors looked pretty impressive in their first preseason game on Sunday, easily dispatching the Utah Jazz by 32 points. I think it’s safe to say tonight’s opponent will be a little tougher!

The reigning Eastern Conference Champions, the Boston Celtics, might be missing a couple of key players — including Robert Williams and Danilo Gallinari — but they still boast perhaps the best starting wing combo in the league in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, not to mention a couple of great guard defenders in Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon.

Of course, we probably won’t see extended time for either team’s core players. Nevertheless, Boston is a deep team, a true contender, and facing them will be a challenge for the Raptors, no matter how deep into the benches the two teams go.

As always, the preseason is about looking for those incremental improvements from the bench guys, the little things that will make them stand out to the coaching stuff. Unfortunately we won’t see Malachi Flynn, but I’ll be looking out for Dalano Banton and Christian Koloko to see if they can follow up their strong showings against the Jazz.

Where to Watch:

TSN, 7:30 PM EST

Lineups:

Toronto – Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes

Boston – Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

Injuries:

Toronto – Otto Porter Jr. (hamstring – questionable), Khem Birch (knee surgery recovery – day-to-day), Justin Champagnie (thumb – questionable), Malachi Flynn (face – out)

Boston – Robert Williams (knee – out), Danilo Gallinari (knee – out), Luke Kornet (ankle – questionable)