Three things to look for as the potentially shorthanded Boston Celtics host the Toronto Raptors

With arguably their most mentally taxing win to date behind them, the Celtics have the unenviable task of quickly moving on to face a Raptors team that rarely makes it easy.

Here are three things to look for as Boston (24-6) hosts Toronto (12-18) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Can they move on after a truly exhausting victory?

No, but seriously, how the heck has that Pistons team lost 28 straight? Twenty-eight?! There’s a basketball data nerd somewhere pacing around a room trying to make sense of it all. No one’s saying they’re great, but that’s just an incomprehensible streak.

Kudos to Detroit for putting up a valiant fight, and kudos to the Celtics for avoiding a catastrophic loss. As draining as that game was, it will benefit both in the long run.

It might not benefit the Celtics in the short term, though, as they have to quickly regroup and navigate yet another trap game. One thing that really separates this team so far, at least to me, is its ability to play fundamentally sound basketball regardless of the opponent (no, that doesn’t include Thursday’s first half).

While this one is a challenge in its own way, I do expect the potentially shorthanded Celtics will come out with energy and find a way to win once again.

Who steps up if the Celtics are shorthanded?

Jrue Holiday is currently listed as questionable (right elbow sprain). If he plays, and particularly if a few other key Celtics don’t, here are a few trends to monitor:

Jrue Holiday is shooting a career-best 41.3 percent from 3-point range, averaging a career-high 6.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks and turning it over a career-low 2 times per game this season.

He’s finding creative ways to contribute while attempting the fewest shots per game (10.8) and averaging the fewest points (13.1) since his rookie year.

In December, Holiday is shooting 51.2 percent from the floor and 47.2 percent from 3-point range. One of his best traits, especially as it pertains to this team, is his ability to get a bucket down low when the Celtics need one.

The Celtics are elite offensively, but they periodically settle for too many 3’s and struggle as a result. Holiday helps keep Boston balanced, and he often looks like the taller player in the paint even when he’s giving up a few inches.

I wrote at the start of the year that Celtics fans would initially view him as Marcus Smart 2.0 and then realize a few weeks in that he’s better. Nobody has heart like Mahcus, but Holiday is a better fit.

If Holiday is out, expect Payton Pritchard to see an increased role and get some shots up. Pritchard was hot for much of the West Coast trip, and we could see a big game from him.

Neemias Queta may also see some additional minutes if Kristaps Porzingis (doubtful, left calf injury management) is out along with Al Horford (rest).

Does Toronto have enough firepower to hang around?

If it feels like the Celtics and Raptors often play close games, that’s because they do. Five out of the last seven have been decided by six points or fewer, including a 108-105 Celtics win in mid-November.

Why is this? Well, there are a couple reasons. The first is that they play hard. Every team should play hard, but the reality is that some play harder than others. The Raptors fall into that category.

The second is that they have versatile players to match up with the Jays. Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby and Scottie Barnes are all capable of sticking Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Don’t get me wrong; Brown and Tatum have the edge against each, but they have the length and lateral quickness to make it somewhat difficult.

I expect this will be a competitive, well-played game that the Celtics find a way to win in the clutch. Feel free to give me a shout on Twitter when Boston wins by 30 or literally everyone sits and they lose.