OGT: Nov 5 Raptors (3-1) @ Celtics (1-2)

[Legends66NBA7]

http://www.nba.com/games/20141105/TO...fo.html?ls=slt

The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of their best start in 10 years, but they know there's still plenty of room for improvement.

Toronto tries to pick up another victory Wednesday night when it visits the Boston Celtics.

The Raptors (3-1) fell 107-102 at Miami on Sunday before bouncing back with Tuesday's 100-88 win over injury-ravaged Oklahoma City. Toronto was limited to 39.5 percent shooting but found a way to grind it out after scoring 30 points off 21 turnovers.

"It was one of the ugliest wins I've had in Toronto, but we'll take it," backup point guard Greivis Vasquez said. "We have to build, we have to get better -- and we will."

The Raptors are shooting 41.7 percent to rank 25th in the NBA. However, they're seventh in scoring with 104.8 points per game after averaging just over 29 points from the foul line.

"We haven't been playing up to par," Kyle Lowry said. "I know we need to play a lot better. It's just one of those things that we need to fix internally."

Toronto is looking to win four of its first five for the first time since 2004-05. The Raptors have taken four of five from the Celtics, who return home after a winless two-game road trip.

Boston (1-2) fell 104-90 at Houston on Saturday and 118-113 at Dallas on Monday. Jeff Green scored 35 points and Avery Bradley added a career-high 32 as the Celtics cut a 31-point deficit down to one with 39 seconds left.

"We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half the last two games," Green said. "By the end we were out of gas. We can't allow teams to be the aggressor the first 12 minutes. That's what happens."

The Celtics were outscored by a combined 77-41 in the first quarter during their trek before averaging 62.0 points in the second half.

"It's on us. You can't lay down," rookie Marcus Smart said. "It's really frustrating because the second half is the team that we know we can be."

Rajon Rondo had 13 points in last Wednesday's season-opening 121-105 win over Brooklyn before scoring a combined 11 on 5-of-20 shooting in the last two games. He's averaging a league-best 11.7 assists to go with 8.7 rebounds.

The Celtics had outscored the Raptors by an average of 15.2 points during an 11-game home winning streak before falling 99-90 on March 26. Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross combined for 67 points while Jonas Valanciunas added 15 and 14 rebounds.

"That's a tough team we're running into and a tough place to play," Lowry said.

Toronto may have to get by without Valanciunas, who was forced from Tuesday's win with a facial contusion. The third-year center previously exited to get X-rays on his right hand at the start of the second quarter but returned after no injury was detected.

"He was all messed up," coach Dwane Casey said. "That's part of the NBA, next guy has to be ready to roll."

Valanciunas entered Tuesday averaging 13.7 points and 9.0 boards.

Boston's Jared Sullinger is averaging 20.7 points over a three-game stretch against the Raptors, nearly double his career mark of 10.6.

[Done_And_Done]

If you got Sully on your fantasy team you probably wanna insert him into your lineup. He's been giving us fits over our past 3-4 games against the Celts. Especially with JV and Amir not suiting up.

[Legends66NBA7]

If you got Sully on your fantasy team you probably wanna insert him into your lineup. He's been giving us fits over our past 3-4 games against the Celts. Especially with JV and Amir not suiting up.

Chuck Hayes is going to be the inevitable equalizer.

[Dave3]

Chuck Hayes is going to be the inevitable equalizer.

At least I still think we should win...

[Bcogswell]

Raptors got dis.

[Legends66NBA7]

At least I still think we should win...

It's not going to be easy. I haven't liked how the Raptors have played this year, they have a lot of work to do on their overall defense and 3 point shooting. Every player on the team needs to step up against this scrappy Boston team.

[Twiens]

I'm terrified of Sully with our bigs out. 20/20 incoming.

Hopefully Bebe gets some time

[Dave3]

It's not going to be easy. I haven't liked how the Raptors have played this year, they have a lot of work to do on their overall defense and 3 point shooting. Every player on the team needs to step up against this scrappy Boston team.

You're so politically correct. I read that as "crappy" at first.

[Qwyjibo]

With Patterson and Hansbrough starting, there will be zero interior defense for the Raptors tonight. Patterson is already getting completely lost.

[Legends66NBA7]

Not starting Stiemsma is a huge mistake. We're getting carved up in the paint.

[Derka]

I expect a decent night from Sully tonight, and even Kelly if he takes it upon himself to operate around the rim. Take advantage of their frontcourt being out.

Defense up top will be big; Derozen is still one of my favorite guys to watch once he gets going and Lowry is a monster. Avery, Rondo and Smart need to clamp down.

[salwan]

lets go! celtics should win this, given they are at home, its the 2nd game of a back-to-back for toronto and toronto's starting frontcourt is not playing

[Derka]

Avery travels and gets away with a high dribble...and then cries for a +1. Get back on D, dopey.

[Kungfro]

Celtics haven't missed a shot, some real good defense on the raps part.

edit: one miss there, but an easy putback.

[Twiens]

Steimsma
Bebe
JJ
Demar
Lowry

What's the worst that could happen, atleast play the guys that try...