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Celtics 95 – Raptors 94: another last-shot miss

By Brian Boake

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 12: Jaylen Brown
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 12: Jaylen Brown /
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The Raptors had a chance to wipe out a 5-point Celtics lead and claim a late, dramatic victory. It didn’t happen, and our team never should have needed such heroics.

The Toronto Raptors were so close to stopping the Boston Celtics 11-game winning streak. The visitors had the ball following a turnover (Jayson Tatum’s elbow nearly knocked out Fred VanVleet – there was discussion of a Flagrant 1 Foul) and following the in-bounds, DeMar DeRozan dribbled into the paint. His jumper was short, and rolled off the side iron. Boston’s shorthanded team had defeated our full-strength one.

The Raptors received solid play from many of our guys, but great from none. DeRozan picked the wrong team to have a poor shooting game against. Many of his 14 missed shots were iso plays, as the Raptors abandoned their new-look offense late.

The team’s rebounding numbers were pitiful. Boston pulled down 15 offensive rebounds (to Toronto’s 6) and enjoyed a 21-10 Second-Chance points advantage as a result. Jonas Valanciunas seemed to bear the brunt of Dwane Casey’s dismay, as he played fewer minutes than Pascal Siakam or Lucas Nogueira. Not utilizing JV’s offensive capability was a signal failure; he finished with 3 baskets.

Boston’s extraordinary defense paid dividends for them. The Raptors were able to get up only 69 shots (they took 98 against the Pelicans, and 81 versus the Bulls) while turning the ball over 17 times. The Celtics on D are almost religious about keeping their hands active, and create deflections and steals often.

They are aggressive all over the floor. Norman Powell got wiped out by Aaron Baynes and had to leave the game. He sustained a hip pointer, which is a silly expression for a nasty bone bruise.

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 12: Serge Ibaka
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 12: Serge Ibaka /

Offensive struggles

Serge Ibaka’s stat line provides the clearest view of the Raptors’ difficulties. He took four shots, only of which was a 3-ball, in 30+ minutes. He’s been averaging more than nine shots per game, about half of which have been threes.

When the Raptors were able to shake free of their tormentors to get off a long ball, the results were encouraging; they were 10 of 24. C.J. Miles hit two quick ones in Q3. Boston adjusted (something they are remarkably strong at doing) and our specialist made no more. Kyle Lowry needed multiple screens to get off 8 treys, making half.

While what I’m describing sounds like a slog of a game, it really wasn’t. Boston’s young guns, in particular Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, are fun to watch on both sides of the ball. Tatum hypnotized the refs sufficiently to score the Celtics’ final bucket on a clear-cut travel. Coach Casey called a time-out and showed the zebras exactly the spot where Tatum should have been whistled, but it was too late.

A disappointed Raps squad must lick its wounds and get ready for their Houston visit. Expect fireworks.

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