For the Celtics, a berth in the East playoffs is a sure thing, but after their frustrating loss Tuesday night to the New York Knicks, their chance of landing the No. 3 seed is very much in doubt. For the Toronto Raptors, who host the C's on Wednesday, things are even less certain.
The Raps currently own a one-game lead over the Chicago Bulls for the eighth and final spot in the conference playoffs, but holding that lead just got a lot tougher. With Chris Bosh now out indefinitely with a broken facial bone, Toronto will have to fight on without its best player. In a pivotal game for both teams' playoff hopes, the Celtics will have a big advantage.
When and Where
Celtics (48-29) at Raptors (38-39)
Wednesday, April 7, 7 p.m. (CSNE)
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Head to Head
The Celtics are 11-1 in their last 12 meetings with the Raptors, and they've won all three games so far this season against their north-of-the-border rivals. To make matters worse, Bosh has been the Raptors' leading scorer in all three games this season against Boston, dropping 20, 25 and 31 points. We've yet to see how lopsided this matchup can be when the Raptors are without their floor leader.
Key Matchup
Kendrick Perkins vs. Andrea Bargnani
Both big men are playing the second night of a back-to-back, and they've both drawn a difficult matchup that will be taxing if they don't come out with energy. For Perkins, it's another night of dealing with a lanky, long, mobile center. He just got done chasing around David Lee and Earl Barron in New York, and now he's drawn Bargnani, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft. For Bargnani, Perkins is going to be a physical foe who tries to muscle him out of the game. If Bargnani's too tired to fight back, he could be in for a long night.
Starting Lineups
Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins
Raptors
Point guard: Jose Calderon
Shooting guard: Sonny Weems
Small forward: Antoine Wright
Power forward: Hedo Turkoglu
Center: Andrea Bargnani
Stat Sheet
Celtics
- The Celtics are 24-14 away from the TD Garden this season. Only the Cavaliers (26-13) have more road wins.
- Ray Allen has made 26 consecutive free throws. He hasn't missed since March 14 against Cleveland.
- Paul Pierce's 4.4 rebounds per game are a career low, and his 18.2 points per game are his lowest offensive output since his rookie season of 1998-99.
Raptors
- Andrea Bargnani is averaging career highs in points per game (17.0), rebounds per game (6.2) and blocks per game (1.4).
- Jarrett Jack is 74-of-180 from 3-point range this season, a team-best 41.1 percent.
- Hedo Turkoglu has averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists against the Celtics in his career.
Black and Blue
Celtics
After overcoming a series of minor injuries over the past two weeks to Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, the Celtics are once again fully healthy.
Raptors
Chris Bosh was elbowed in the face by Antawn Jamison in the first quarter of the Raptors' game Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was sent to the hospital for tests Tuesday night, and his status moving forward is uncertain. He is considered out indefinitely.
Outlook
The Raptors are the latest Eastern Conference contender to suffer an injury to their star player — first the Bucks with Andrew Bogut, then the Hawks with Joe Johnson, and now Bosh. How will they respond? The Raptors could really use a win to keep their playoff hopes in good standing, but it won't be easy on the back end of a back-to-back with the Cavs and Celtics. The Raps will be exhausted, depleted and probably not too confident — the Celtics should go for the throat. There's no room for pity when there's playoff seeding at stake.
