The Toronto Raptors (15-7) and Boston Celtics (13-9) are set to face each other at the TD Garden on Dec. 9, Friday as the 2016-2017 NBA season continues.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Toronto has won seven of their last eight contests to remain second in the Eastern Conference. Their only loss in their last eight matches came against the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers, who are currently on top of the East standings.
In their most recent game on Thursday night, the Raptors turned back the Minnesota Timberwolves, 124-110, at their home court of Air Canada Centre, as per Yahoo Sports.
The hosts were again led by their backcourt tandem of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, who scored a combined 52 points.
DeRozan had 27 points, eight rebounds, and five assists while Lowry contributed 25 points, 11 assists, and two boards. Starting center Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds while starting small forward DeMarre Carroll chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Off the bench, Corey Joseph fired 12 points while Brazilian center Lucas Nogueira had eight points, nine boards, and three shot blocks.
The Wolves led 95-94 with more than eight minutes left in the fourth period when the Raptors pulled off a 17-4 run to finish the game.
Meanwhile, the Celtics won for the third time in their last four games as they breezed past the Orlando Magic, 117-87, on the road at the Amway Center on Wednesday, Mass Live reported.
All five starters of head coach Brad Stevens scored in double figures while two bench players also had double-digit scoring outputs.
Avery Bradley had 23 points while Jae Crowder had 17 points and 10 boards to lead the Celtics. Starting point guard Marcus Smart, who filled-in for the injured Isaiah Thomas, had 13 points while Amir Johnson and Al Horford had 11 and 10 points.
Prediction
Toronto has a 6-3 away record so far this season while Boston is struggling at home with a 5-4 slate. It would be a close battle between two of the top three teams in the East, but the Raptors will prevail.
