Game Day: Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors

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http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gifBoston Celtics @ Toronto Raptors http://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png

25-9, 1st Atlantic, (Road: 14-5) -- 19-18, 2nd Atlantic, (Home: 12-5)

WHEN: Sun., Jan. 10, 2009 at 1:00 pm ET
WHERE: Air Canada Centre
TV/Radio: TSN, TSN HD, FAN590 Radio


http://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png TORONTO RAPTORS http://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png
(click on logo for team stats)

Starters
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(L to R): Jack, DeRozan, Turkoglu, Bosh, Bargnani

Bench
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(L to R): Belinelli, Weems, Johnson, Nestrovic, Wright, Calderon

Team Injuries/Inactive List
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(L to R): Evans, O'Bryant, Banks

http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gif BOSTON CELTICS http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gif
(click on logo for team stats)

Starters
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(L to R): Rondo, R. Allen, Pierce, Wallace, Perkins

Bench
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(L to R): House, Scalabrine, Williams, Giddens, T. Allen, Davis

Team Injuries/Inactive List
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(L to R): Garnett, Daniels, Walker

Who's Hot

http://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png TORONTO RAPTORShttp://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png

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Andrea: 21 PPG IN LAST 5 GP / Bosh: 25.4 PPG IN LAST 5 GP

http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gif BOSTON CELTICS http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gif

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R. Allen: 20 PPG IN LAST 3 GP / Rondo: 19.8 PPG IN LAST 5 GP

http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gif Key Match-ups http://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/medi...ajon_rondo.jpghttp://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/medi...rrett_jack.jpg
Rajon Rondo vs. Jarrett Jack

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Ray Allen vs. DeMar DeRozan

GAME PREVIEWS

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(click on image for preview *NOTE: only available on "Game Day")

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Prediction

http://raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/TOR%20Small.png - 92
http://www.raptorsforum.com/f/images/icons/celtics.gif - 94

Until we beat Boston, I can't predict a win. I hope I eat some crow today, but with Pierce and Rondo back in the line-up and Ray Allen playing extremely well as of late, this is going to be a tough game to win no matter how hot we are right now. :(

BTW, any of you fine folk attending today's game at the ACC?

Big loss. With both Rondo and Pierce back we have no chance

Something is telling me the Raps are going to grind out a win today. It will be tough and very close but I say the Dinos are gonna get the W!

Raps 103

Celtics 101

LET'S GO RAPTORS!

Good test for the Raptors tonight. Good chance for the Raps to show what they're made of.

Nice composure by the Raptors after the poor start

Raptors should attack Paul Pierce. He isn't moving well at all defensively. Looks injured.

Nice job by Bargnani to block Davis' shot in the lane. Good job helping out DeRozan in the post.

Toronto has been outplaying the Celtics since their poor start.

I don't like seeing the Calderon and Jack backcourt. I thought the Raptors athleticism at the SG + SF + PF positions + length inside was causing the Celtics problems earlier in the game.

I'd like to see Calderon + Weems + DeRozan + Bosh + Bargnani out there. Hedo Turkoglu and Jack as the other two perimeter players used and Amir as the only backup big. A nice tight 8 man rotation.

Chris Bosh had a big first half.

• 19 points on 6-10 shooting from the floor + 7-7 from the line.
• 5 rebounds
• 2 blocks and altered a few others.

They've got nobody that can defend Bosh with KG out injured.

Jose Calderon was excellent too. He caused the Celtics a lot of problems off those high screen and rolls.

Bargnani had some good moments also.

Bad start to the third quarter from the Raptors. They could and should be down 20 points at this stage but Boston's poor play is allowing them to hang around.

Toronto are a very dangerous team near the end of games because of their offense. If they get hot at the right moment they could take this game from Boston.

That three point by Wallace should do it. Raps down 12 with 6 to play.

These losses against the Celts are getting harder to handle. :(
I really, really hate them. I don't know how much more of it I can take.

Dirrty dunk by CB4 over Sheldon Willaims!