Posted:
#1
The Celtics have been flirting with mediocrity since the start of the season. And they can't seem to decide what kind of team they want to be. Every time we think they have turned the corner, the remind us that they really have not. Between team meetings and Irving calling out his teammates (boy, is that getting tiring!), every time they lose a few in a row, they have managed to raise their level when playing at home against top notch competition (i.e., they beat the Raps once, Sixers twice, the Bucks once, and Pacers once). Except for one ugly defeat against the Bucks, they have managed to raise their level and beat the better teams in the East.
But a closer look at a few of those wins suggest that all is not well in bean town. Both the Raps and Sixers had practically won their games in Boston when the Celtics snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. It took a couple of miracle comebacks (and otherworldly performances from Irving) to win those games. But such feats are rare, and now that Irving is battling a quad injury, such a feat becomes even less likely.
Of course, the Raptors might also be missing a couple of key players tomorrow, but I don't expect that to be a huge factor because the Raps, like the Celtics, are a deep team. What I do expect to be a factor is the loss the Raps experienced in Boston the last time out, when they did not finish the deal, and also the humiliating defeat they suffered on national TV against San Antonio. Both those depressing losses can be washed away and forgotten with a big statement win tomorrow night in Boston, against a rival that rarely loses at home.
The line and injury reports are not out yet (though I did read one article that had the Raptors at +1) but when they are I will be backing the Raptors. I have not decided on how many units yet because I want to make sure Irving is playing. I don't like the bet as much without him in the lineup.
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