It’s back to the win column for the Raptors, who defeated Minnesota at home Thursday night, 124-110, to bounce back from the loss to Cleveland.
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry provided much of the Raptors’ offense, which isn’t surprising, scoring 27 and 25 points, respectively. Jonas Valanciunas, meanwhile, was a steady force inside the paint, chipping in 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
Boston is allowing 41.4 points in the paint per game this season, which could spell another field day in inside for Valanciunas and the Raptors’ slashers. Valanciunas and company scalded Minnesota inside with the Raptors scoring 54 points in the shaded area.
Toronto can also spread the floor with a dangerous outside game, as the Raps are averaging 9.5 threes per game.
There’d be no sightings of Isaiah Thomas on the floor again for the Celtics later tonight as the diminutive guard is out with a groin injury.
The Celtics looked like they really didn’t need Thomas’ services last Wednesday when they beat Orlando on the road117-87. Avery Bradley picked up most of the scoring cudgels, as he put up 23 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Bradley also got help from Jae Crowder, who contributed 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field.
Without Thomas and his team-leading 26.0 PPG, other players such as Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier will have to step up to cover for the scoring void that’ll be brought about by Thomas’ absence. Smart started in the Orlando game in lieu of Thomas and scored 13 points, while Rozier came off the bench and fired 16. Both players will be crucial in matching whatever production Toronto’s combustible guard tandem of Lowry and DeRozan.
Boston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 home games against Toronto.
