Final: Celtics 121-Raptors 103 - C's cough up big lead but rally late for 5th straight

BOSTON CELTICS (14-9) at TORONTO RAPTORS (15-9)

Regular season game 24

Scotiabank Arena, 3:30 p.m. - NBCS Boston

SCHEDULE ADVANTAGE: Toronto. Both teams have been on the same schedule grind and both are playing their fourth game in six nights, but the Raptors have played their last three games at home, while Boston is playing their fourth game in four different cities. 

Toronto has lost four of their last five games. 

Boston is on a four-game winning streak. 

INJURIES

Boston: Jayson Tatum (OUT-Achilles) 

Toronto: RJ Barrett (OUT-knee), Jamison Battle (DOUBTFUL-ankle), Immanuel Quickley (QUESTIONABLE-illness)

OFFICIALS

John Goble (#10)    Scott Twardoski (#52)    Biniam Maru (#94)

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Consistent energy: The Celtics can feel the time off coming. They're getting a couple of days off to recharge after this early game, and when sometimes you can see a finish line, there's a sense of relief that can make people relax. Of course, it can also make people sprint hard to get to it as well, so let’s hope for the latter. 

2. Shut down Scottie Barnes: Barrett is out and Quickley might be too, so carry the Austin Reaves game plan into Toronto and see if Jordan Walsh (and Josh Minott, and Hugo Gonzalez) can make his life hell. 

3. Rebound and run: The Raptors are a middle of the pack team on the glass, so find the energy to get on the boards and put up some points in transition. The Raptors are slumping, so a quick early lead might lead to some frustration on the Raptors’ end.

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.