Raptors
Brandon Ingram fired up 30 shots and finished with 37 points on Monday night, helping Toronto defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers by 11 and extend its winning streak to eight games. Head coach Darko Rajaković said the club is happy to lean on Ingram’s scoring bursts as long as it stays within its ball-movement principles. The current approach is paying off, with the team balancing Ingram’s isolation looks and its usual share-the-ball identity.
76ers
Philadelphia originally listed Paul George as probable for Tuesday’s matchup in Orlando, but the forward was ruled out with ankle soreness shortly before tip-off, according to head coach Nick Nurse. George has now appeared in just three games in December, and Nurse could not say whether the veteran will miss additional contests. The coach acknowledged the roster’s limited depth, noting that injuries force constant lineup shuffles and quick adjustments.
Celtics
Boston will be without starting center Neemias Queta on Wednesday after he sprained his left ankle in Sunday’s win over Orlando, MassLive reported. The Celtics surrender 25.7 fewer points per 100 possessions when Queta is on the floor, underscoring his defensive importance. The third-year big man is averaging career bests of 9.3 points and 7.9 rebounds, and the team will look to Xavier Tillman, Chris Boucher and Luka Garza to cover the paint in his absence. Queta is in the first season of a three-year, $7.2 million contract that is only partially guaranteed for 2025-26, but his early impact is strengthening his case for long-term security.
Source: Hoops Wire
