The Boston Celtics have clinched a playoff spot, and a win would secure them the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and a matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. The Toronto Raptors trail the Chicago Bulls for the No. 3 seed by half a game.
Projected Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics (38-42)
G Marcus Smart – 7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg
G Avery Bradley – 13.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
F Evan Turner – 9.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 5.1 rpg
F Brandon Bass – 10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg
C Tyler Zeller – 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Toronto Raptors (48-32)
G Kyle Lowry – 17.7 ppg, 6.8 apg
G DeMar DeRozan – 20.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg
F Terrence Ross – 9.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg
F Tyler Hansbrough – 3.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg
C Jonas Valanciunas – 12.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg
What to watch for:
Who plays with more intensity?
Though both teams have already clinched playoff spots, they each really want to get the best seed possible for them. A win puts the Raptors back as the No. 3 seed, allowing them to avoid the Washington Wizards in the first round.
Boston doesn't want to face the Cavs in the first round if they can avoid it, and their only chance to do so is to lose and get the No. 8 seed. However, they want to their late-season momentum going, giving them plenty of reasons to play hard.
Because this game doesn't hold dire playoff implications, it'll be easy for both teams to lose focus. Whichever team is able to play with more focus and intensity will give them a major advantage and allow them to win the game.
Prediction: Raptors win 104-90
Toronto desperately wants the No. 3 seed, and while the Celtics want to win, it has to be in the back of their minds that they'd rather face the Hawks instead of the Cavs. The Raptors will be the team truly playing to win, and they'll be victorious because of that.
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