The Boston Celtics head north on Friday to take on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena in their second preseason matchup. It marks the first of two meetings between the teams, with the rematch set for Wednesday in Boston.
Both teams enter this contest on the back of wins. In their last game, the Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-103, while the Raptors secured a 130-122 win against the Sacramento Kings. Their meeting in Toronto will be their first game against Eastern Conference opponents and will prove to be an early test.
The Celtics have gone through a major rebuild this season and will be eager to showcase their strength against a revamped Raptors squad, a team poised to be one of the dark horses in the conference.

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors game details and betting tips
The Eastern Conference game between the Celtics and the Raptors is set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the game live on the NBC Sports Boston and Sportsnet networks, while viewers online can livestream the contest by purchasing the NBA League Pass.
Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.
Here are the odds for the game listed at the time of writing:
Note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors preview
The Boston Celtics have been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference for the last few years, but they enter this season with a depleted roster. After trading the likes of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to balance their books, the Celtics will also miss their star Jayson Tatum for the entirety of the season due to an ACL injury. While they do possess the likes of Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are expected to experience a turbulent season.
The Celtics did start their preseason on a high note, cruising to a 121-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on the road. While the victory was encouraging, it came against a Grizzlies squad missing its key stars. Boston will need a stronger performance if they are to keep their winning streak alive against the Raptors.
On the other hand, Toronto has a young and exciting team led by Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, which is expected to challenge a weakened Eastern Conference. Apart from the two talents, the team also boasts the likes of Brandon Ingram and Sandro Mamukelashvili, who provide much-needed experience.
Despite having an exciting roster, the Raptors have a 50% win ratio in the preseason. The team suffered a defeat in their first game against the Denver Nuggets, but bounced back well in their second game, defeating the Sacramento Kings on the road.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors predicted lineups
Boston Celtics
PG: Derrick White | SG: Sam Hauser | SF: Jaylen Brown | PF: Xavier Tillman | C: Chris Boucher
Toronto Raptors
PG: Immanuel Quickley | SG: RJ Barrett | SF: Scottie Barnes | PF: Brandon Ingram | C: Sandro Mamukelashvili
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors prediction
The Boston Celtics would have been the favorites to win this contest in each of the last five seasons, but with their current roster, the Raptors will hold the upper hand. Furthermore, with the game set to take place in Toronto, the Raptors should earn their second win of preseason on Friday.
Toronto Raptors Fan? Check out the latest Toronto Raptors depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.