The NBA Playoffs second-round series are ongoing. One of the most interesting matchups is turning out to be the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors. Raptors walked into the series having lost only one game in the bubble. However, they have dropped two straight to the young Celtics.
Boston was the only team to defeat the Raptors heading into this series. Now, they are showing why on a consistent basis. The Raptors stifling defense has failed on Boston, and their shots aren’t dropping. Jayson Tatum is leading them on the court, and Kemba Walker is showing his leadership skills.
The Celtics will continue to miss Gordon Hayward (ankle), Tremont Waters (knee). and Javonte Green (knee). The Raptors are without Oshae Brissett (knee) and Patrick McCaw (knee).
NBA Playoffs: Raptors refuse to go down?
The Celtics are rolling over the Raptors. This was a probability, but not a widely believed possibility. The Toronto Raptors have dried up offensively, and their defense is also failing them. One of the keys for Boston has been introducing Marcus Smart to the starting five in place of the injured Gordon Hayward. His defense has been exceptional as usual, but he is delivering at the same offensive clip that Hayward would have.
The stars in Toronto haven’t risen up to the occasion. Their best player this series has probably been OG Anunoby or Serge Ibaka. Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and Fred VanVleet need to figure out answers to the Celtics defense. Skam in particular also needs to figure out how to keep Jayson Tatum at bay. Tatum has continued his brilliant bubble play against the Raptors, as his scoring is becoming hard to stop. Kemba Walker is complimenting the team perfectly, and Jaylen Brown is solid as usual.
You can expect Brad Stevens to continue his undefeated playoff run with a game three victory. The Raptors do have a tremendous coach in Nick Nurse who overcame a two-zero deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. They can’t be counted out. However, everything is just clicking for Boston and they look like a massive challenge to overcome for Toronto.
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