On a six-game winning streak

The 22-7 Boston Celtics come in having won each of their last six games. They are on the second night of a back-to-back as they just cruised past the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, 129-117. Leading scorer Kemba Walker only had 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown stepped up and combined for 64 points and 10 threes.

Though playing on consecutive nights, the Celtics have a lot of confidence on their side. They have beaten the Toronto Raptors twice this season, with the most recent being on Christmas day – an easy, 118-102 rout.

Walker, Tatum, and Brown are all averaging over 20 points this season and we should continue witnessing as such. Gordon Hayward, who recently returned from his second injury this season, is also someone to watch out for.

The Celtics are top two in points allowed (103.2 PAPG) and defensive efficiency, and also co-own the best home record in the league at 13-1.

The defending champions are staggering

The Raptors keep getting bit by the injury bug, and it’s getting harder by the day. They have split their last 12 games after winning 14 of their first 18 outings, which currently places them at 21-10 and only the sixth spot in the competitive Eastern Conference.

After injuries to Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, two other starters are again out – leading scorer Pascal Siakam (groin) and big man Marc Gasol (hamstring). Both have missed the last few games and are expected to miss weeks. Key rotation guy Norman Powell had a string of 20-point games this past week and he’s out indefinitely due to a shoulder injury.

The scoring now relies heavily on Lowry and Fred VanVleet. The two playmakers have a lot on their plate as they are also tasked to facilitate the other guys. The former is averaging 23.7 points and 9.5 assists in his last six, while the latter has a pair of 20-point games to go along 8.5 dimes and 3.5 steals in his last two.

PREDICTION:

The Celtics make the season series 3-0 with a 108-102 win.