Toronto Raptors Team Report - February 28

(Basketball News) - The Toronto Raptors continued their season-long skid on Friday with an 88-75 setback to the Boston Celtics in the opener of a home- and-home set at the FleetCenter.

Donyell Marshall posted 19 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, who lost for the eighth straight time.

The Raptors, who have dropped to seventh place in the East, held the lead only once in the first quarter and never rebounded from a nearly three-minute scoring drought in which the Celtics took a 30-18 lead.

Toronto continued to play without guard Vince Carter, who has been on the injured list the past five games with a moderate left ankle sprain. However, he is eligible to return Sunday against the Celtics in Toronto.

Elsewhere on the injury front the Raptors announced prior to the game that guard Alvin Williams, who has missed the last three games, will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery to relieve swelling in his left knee.

Toronto has lost five straight and seven of its last eight at home and is 14-14 in Canada this season.

The Raptors have dropped two of three to the Celtics this season.,but have won four of seven and eight of the last 13 meetings.Toronto has also won three in a row and six of its last seven at home in this series.