Report: Raptors to host Celtics as part of NBA’s Christmas Day slate

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry. (Nathan Denette/CP)

Christmas has come early for the Toronto Raptors.

The defending NBA champions will play on Christmas Day, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Raptors are reportedly scheduled to face off against the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena on the prestigious day.

Other matchups the ESPN reporter says will take place on Christmas Day include the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers battling it out for Staples Center supremacy and Canadian Jamal Murray and his Denver Nuggets hosting No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Rounding out the day’s games, the Philadelphia 76ers will host the Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets will go toe-to-toe with the Golden State Warriors.

An NBA tradition since 1947, to be selected for the Christmas Day slate of games is considered an honour and a show of respect by the league to the teams chosen.

The Raptors had played once before on Christmas against the New York Knicks in 2001, but never since. As the defending NBA champs, though, it would make sense that they be part of the league’s premiere regular-season day.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.