Raptors Open In-Season Tournament vs. Celtics: Where to Watch, Injuries, More
The Toronto Raptors will finally play an in-season tournament game Friday night when the Boston Celtics come to town for a 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff. WHERE TO WATCH TSN and TSN 1050 will call the game for Toronto. NBC Sports Boston and 98.5 The Sports Hub will broadcast for Boston.
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR The Raptors are somehow the only NBA team yet to play an in-season tournament game this year and therefore Friday will be the first look at Toronto’s new in-season tournament court and OVO-inspired gold jerseys. Compared to other colors, the court could be worse, but it’ll definitely look startling Friday night. Toronto was blown out badly the last time the Raptors faced off against the Celtics thanks in no small part to Boston’s lights-out three-point shooting and incredible offensive spacing. Toronto needs to do a better job in defensive rotations and navigating the pick-and-pop with Kristaps Porzingis if he plays.
The Raptors have come out flat in first halves far too often this season and against a team like Boston that just isn’t going to work. Nobody has been able to explain why the team has struggled early in games but whatever the cause is, it has to be fixed as soon as possible. INJURY REPORTS Toronto should have Gary Trent Jr. back Friday but OG Anunoby is doubtful with a right index finger laceration. Christian Koloko remains out. Jaylen Brown and Porzingis are both questionable for the Celtics. Al Horford is probable to play. GAME ODDS
The Raptors are +7.5 point underdogs with an implied win probability of 30.8%. The total for the game is 220.5.
