The Boston Celtics have shown impressive improvement over the last week and will close the first half of the 2020-21 NBA regular season with a matchup versus the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on Thursday night.
The C's have won three consecutive games for the first time since mid-January, and another victory would boost their record to 3-0 against the Raptors this season.
The chances of the Celtics extending their win streak are pretty high, and that's because the Raptors will be shorthanded Thursday. Toronto has already ruled outĀ Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Pat McCaw.Ā
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Forsberg: How KG helped jumpstart Brown's evolution to NBA All-Star
Oddsmakers have already pegged the Celtics as eight-point favorites.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has shortened his rotation of late, and he only played four bench players in Tuesday night's 117-112 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Thursday's matchup should be a good opportunity to give the bench plenty of minutes and try to build these players' confidence entering the second half of the season.
Here's how and when to watch Celtics vs. Raptors on your favorite device.
Boston Celtics
Find the latest Boston Celtics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Boston.
When: Thursday, March 4Ā at 7Ā p.m. ET
TV channel: NBC Sports Boston
Live stream:Ā NBC Sports BostonĀ or theĀ MyTeams App
Be sure to tune into NBC Sports Boston at 6Ā p.m. for "Celtics Pregame Live" presented by TD Bank. We will have complete coverage after the final buzzer with "Celtics Postgame Live" presented by Your New England Ford Dealers. You can watch both shows on theĀ MyTeams AppĀ orĀ by clicking here.
Ā