Event of the Day: Toronto Raptors versus Boston Celtics

Our event of the day is the NBA match between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. This clash of the leading teams in the Eastern Conference sees Toronto currently second-placed with a 36-16 record, while Boston are top of the standings with a 39-15 record. The Raptors have won four of their five previous games and have two straight home victories over the Portland Trail Blazers (130-105 on Friday) and the Memphis Grizzlies (101-86 on Sunday). The Celtics come in with a four-game winning run, and arrive in Toronto following three home triumphs, including a narrow 97-96 win against the Trail Blazers on Sunday. When the two sides first met this season in November, Boston recorded a tight 95-94 win over Toronto at the TD Garden.

The Raptors will be looking for revenge and can take confidence from having the league’s best home record of 21 wins and just four defeats. Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan averages 24.4 points for Toronto this season, leading the third best scoring side in the league with 111.4 points per game. Boston’s point guard Kyrie Irving who scores 24.9 points per game on average, is questionable for tonight's match with a quad injury. His absence could affect Celtics’ impressive 3-point shooting – the visitors have the second most in the league, 635 three-pointers made so far this season. Center Al Horford contributes with 7.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. We’re in for a thrilling matchup at the Air Canada Centre tonight.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Colorado are just outside the playoff zone in the Western Conference with 60 points from 51 games, while San Jose are just ahead of them with 64 points from 52 games played. The Avalanche won 5-3 in the most recent encounter between the sides in January, also in Denver. It’s Day 2 of the Open Sud de France at the Arena Montpellier in Montpellier; and the second day of the Ecuador Open in Quito. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe play their second Twenty20 game at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. In another big NBA game, the Golden State Warriors face the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. Elsewhere in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the Washington Capitals at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, while the Pittsburgh Penguins come up against the Vegas Golden Knights at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. In the FA Cup, Birmingham City welcome Huddersfield Town to St. Andrew’s Stadium in Birmingham, while Swansea City host Notts County at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by NBA