Jose Calderon came up big the last time Toronto played in Boston. (Winslow Townson/Associated Press)The Toronto Raptors will get their first look of the season against defending NBA champions the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
Toronto (4-2) ends a three-game road trip in Boston. The Raptors followed the low of a drubbing Friday in Atlanta by posting a big comeback win on Sunday in Charlotte.
Now come the Celtics, winners of six of their first seven this season.
"I'm really looking forward to it," star Chris Bosh told CBC Sports after the win over the Bobcats. "This is what NBA basketball is about. When I was a kid, I always dreamt of playing a powerhouse. The Celtics have one of the best forwards in the game in Kevin Garnett."
The last time the clubs played in Boston, the Raptors prevailed 114-112 thanks to a red-hot Jose Calderon.
That match was part of a 12-game stretch where the Celtics lost half of the time. Boston would get over the brief hiccup, going 30-7 after the Raptors game before embarking on its championship run.
Calderon scored 24 points in that game, as the Raptors shot 58 per cent, including 15 three-pointers.
The Spanish guard was again instrumental in Sunday's 89-79 win in Charlotte, leading the club with seven assists to go along with 13 points. He is second in the NBA with an average of 9.3 assists.
Bosh was a force with 30 points and added 15 rebounds, as Toronto went on a 17-0 run in the fourth in front of a shocked Charlotte crowd. The power forward is now third in the league in points with 26.7, behind Cleveland forward LeBron James and injured San Antonio guard Tony Parker.
Andrea Bargnani had 18 points, while Jamario Moon chipped in with 10. Reserve Will Solomon only had two points, but he contributed a highlight-reel assist during Toronto's surge.
Boston stifled Detroit 88-76 to win its fourth in a row. Tony Allen upstaged some of his more celebrated teammates to lead the way with 23 points and five rebounds.
Ray Allen contributed 17 to go along with eight rebounds and three assists, while Rajon Rondo had 13 points and five rebounds.
Garnett led all players with 12 rebounds, though he had just eight points. Paul Pierce struggled, ending up with seven points.
Only Indiana has beaten the Celtics so far.
Toronto returns home to prepare for a game Wednesday against Philadelphia.
