The Boston Celtics travel north of the border Friday night to face their toughest test of the preseason.
Their hosts for the evening, the Toronto Raptors, made a surprise run to the top of the Atlantic Division last season, and they boast one of the NBA’s most exciting young lineups as start of the 2014-15 campaign nears.
The Celtics were victorious in both of their first two exhibitions, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks by 20 points apiece, but continue to be nagged by injuries. Rajon Rondo (hand), Jeff Green (calf), Vitor Faverani (knee) and James Young (hamstring) all will not play against the Raptors.
With Boston still down two starters in Rondo and Green, coach Brad Stevens will trot out the same starting lineup he fielded in the team’s first two contests. Stevens hinted Friday that this might change for the Celtics’ next game, however, as they have a quick turnaround before playing the Knicks again Saturday night at Mohegan Sun.
Here are Friday’s starters:
Boston Celtics
Marcus Smart
Avery Bradley
Evan Turner
Jared Sullinger
Kelly Olynyk
Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry
DeMar DeRozan
Terrence Ross
Amir Johnson
Jonas Valanciunas
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. NESN.com’s Zack Cox will be live-tweeting the game, so give him a follow and keep tabs on the action below.
You also can follow Friday’s Celtics-Raptors game right here.
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Photo via John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports Images
