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Boston Celtics: 4 teams in the path of banner 18

By Dylan Woods

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: The Boston Celtics raise 2008 World Championship banner during the 2008 NBA World Championship ceremony before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: The Boston Celtics raise 2008 World Championship banner during the 2008 NBA World Championship ceremony before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors

Before Tuesday’s game, the Boston Celtics and Raptors had met just once this year. Way back in November, the Celtics beat Toronto 95-94 thanks to Al Horford (21 points), Jaylen Brown (18 points), Marcus Smart (14-9-5), and a DeMar DeRozan miss as time expired.

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The Celtics also did not have Kyrie Irving due to a face injury, but the Raptors were not playing as well as they are now. After last night’s 111-91 domination, the Raptors cannot be overlooked. DeMar DeRozan is a legitimate MVP candidate, Kyle Lowry is an All-Star again, and players like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are having career years off the bench.

Toronto is also the only team in the NBA to rank in the top 7 in both offensive and defensive rating. A very easy argument could be made that the Raptors are the best all-around team in the NBA right now.

Still, last night could have been an aberration. When these two teams match up, the games are usually close and low scoring. In their previous eleven meetings, the Raptors had six wins to the Celtics five. The average margin of victory was just 7 and the average number of points scored was 102.

If the two teams were to meet in the playoffs for the first time, I would give the advantage to the Celtics. With the skill level of the two teams being so close, the Celtics win because they would have the best player in the series: Kyrie Irving.

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