The Boston Celtics can remain the NBA’s only team without a home loss this season by beating the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
Boston is coming off a 128-122 overtime victory against Detroit on Thursday. That win improved the Celtics’ home record to 15-0. The 1957-58 Celtics hold the record for consecutive home wins to start a season (17).
Kristaps Porzingis scored a season-high 35 points Thursday, when Boston overcame a 21-point deficit late in the first half to hand Detroit its 28th straight loss. The Celtics were outrebounded 57-43 and shot 11 of 39 from 3-point range (28.2 percent).
Jayson Tatum added 31 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Boston, which received a 23-point performance from Derrick White. It was Boston’s first win in four overtime games this season.
Friday’s game will be the second stop on a three-game road trip for the Raptors, who ended a five-game road losing streak by beating Washington 132-102 on Wednesday night. It was Toronto’s largest margin of victory this season.
The Raptors will play eight of their next nine games away from home.
OG Anunoby led the offense with 26 points against Washington. Pascal Siakam added 22 points and Scottie Barnes finished with 20 points.
Rajakovic tweaked the starting lineup against the Wizards by inserting Gary Trent Jr. for Dennis Schroder, who contributed nine points and 10 assists.
The Raptors had 43 assists in the win, one shy of the franchise record set earlier this season against Detroit.
Friday’s game will be the third meeting between the Raptors and Celtics this season. Boston prevailed 117-94 at home on Nov. 11, and 108-105 at Toronto on Nov. 17.
