The Boston Celtics still remain juggernauts of the league, but the defending champions are facing some woes. After a home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Joe Mazzulla urged his team to “be more consistent at both ends of the floor”. Two games later, they lost to the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden, again, a place that was an impenetrable fortress for the Jays last year. Although it’s still not enough to be rattled by, the Shamrocks desperately need a win. And in another home defense, they will face the Toronto Raptors.

The Maples pushed the champs to overtime in November. Only through a Jayson Tatum buzzer-beater did the Celtics wrap up a tough win. Now, in this time of distress, a recalibrated win is a necessity. But is the Boston side fully healthy?

Let’s start with Kristaps Porzingis. The star center the Shamrocks acquired last season had a vast impact during the NBA Finals. Sadly, his infected fate with ailments continues. Since having surgery, Porzingis has played in 11 games this season. Thrice, he has left mid-game due to injuries, the last of which was against the Philadelphia 76ers, three games ago.

Since then, KP has missed the last two games against the Indiana Pacers. And as per ESPN, he is once again listed as questionable against the Toronto Raptors. This could be concerning given the Celtics’ defensive breakdowns over the past few games. If without the Lithuanian center, here is how they could set their rotations against the Raptors.

Celtics depth chart- Is Jrue Holiday fit to return, amid Porzingis uncertainty?

The Shamrocks have a relatively short injury list. But it curtails their effectiveness during a run where they are in dire need of their defensive anchors. Alongside a shot blocker such as Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday is also listed as out as he continues to recover from a right shoulder impingement. The two-time champion has missed the last three games for the Celtics. They have lost two of them, without their ball-hawking point guard. With those injuries, here is how Joe Mazzulla might decide to use the players.

Even with a depleted roster, the Celtics have ample firepower to burn out the Raptors. They will also have a rapturous TD Garden crowd that’s pulsating for a victory. Without KP and Holiday though, stopping the likes of Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett will be on top of Mazzulla’s priorities. If they can achieve that, the Shamrocks shouldn’t have great stress in extinguishing the Toronto side tomorrow night. Do you think the C’s will bounce back to winning ways at home or are they in for another upset? Drop your predictions below.