Celtics vs. Raptors (Jan. 16) Game Preview: Time Start, Channel, Stats, Players To Watch

The Toronto Raptors will visit the Bolton Celtics on Wednesday night, and here is everything you need to know.

Celtics Host East-Leading Raptors On Jan. 16

The Celtics (25-18, 5th in Eastern Conference) have lost three straight games, including a 109-102 defeat to the Nets in Brooklyn on Monday night.

Meanwhile, Eastern Conference leaders Toronto (33-12) are coming off a five-game winning streak, including a 140-138 overtime road victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Wednesday’s matchup will be the third one between Boston and Toronto, who were among the preseason favorites to win the East. Just shortly after the midway point of the season, the NBA trade deadline (Feb. 7) is fast approaching.

According to OddsShark, the Celtics are one-point favorites.

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In Sunday’s triumph over the Wizards, Kawhi Leonard logged a team-high 41 points. The Raptors have been especially impressive on the road this season, going 15-8. The Celtics, meanwhile, have boasted a strong record at home: they are 15-5 at TD Garden. In their first matchup at home against Toronto on Nov. 16, Kyrie Irving led Boston to a 123-116 OT victory by finishing with a game-high 43 points and 11 assists.

Irving, who missed Monday’s game against the Nets, is out with a quadriceps injury and had been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup, although the star point guard reportedly now says he’ll be ready to face the Raptors.

“The young guys don’t know what it takes to be a championship-level team,” said Irving, per NBA.com “What it takes every day. And if they think it is hard now, what do they think it will be like when we’re trying to get to the finals?”

The Raptors are 14-8 against the Celtics over the last five seasons.

Wednesday’s game will start at 8 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN.