Toronto Raptors can clinch second seed with win over Boston Celtics
Tonight the Toronto Raptors can secure the second seed in the Eastern Conference against a hungry Boston Celtics Team.
The second seed means a lot more this year than in past years. The drop off in competition between the 6th and 7th seed is enormous — currently the Sixers are 6th and Brooklyn Nets are 7th. That is why securing the win here for the Toronto Raptors is imperative for an easier road in the playoffs. Especially since their upcoming games will be harder than the Celtics’ future games.
But it won’t be easy. Before the NBA restart, the Toronto Raptors were 1-2 against the Boston Celtics. In two of those games, Patrick McCaw was starting in place of Pascal Siakam and they still managed to snag one win. The other was a fair battle between both and the Celtics were the victorious ones.
The problem the Celtics impose on the Toronto Raptors is that all of their players can also shoot, defend, and create their own shot. Their perimeter defense lines up perfectly against the Toronto Raptors team. It’s probably one of the matchups the Raptors would like to avoid most going into the playoffs as well.
What to expect today on defense
Shutting down Jayson Tatum will be what is most important for the Toronto Raptors. I think we are all excited to see just how Nurse changes his defense in this matchup. We’ll most likely see OG Anunoby on Jayson Tatum instead of Jaylen Brown this time around. The Celtics are always best shut down when Tatum can’t get it going.
Tatum isn’t the only problem, the reason the Boston Celtics offense is top five, is because of their variability on that end. The Boston Celtics can score effectively from pretty much anywhere, the mid-range, beyond the arc, and around the rim. Making them an unpredictable team to play against, especially in the halfcourt. Something the Raptors have struggled to find an answer to.
What to expect on offense
The Toronto Raptors have been the 18th best team offensively since the NBA restart. Just let that sink in. The Raptors struggle tremendously on that end and have to find a way to be more effective in the halfcourt. And that can start today against one of the elite defensive teams.
This will also be a good test for Pascal Siakam who has shown to struggle time and time again against elite perimeter defenders. Will Siakam be able to score efficiently with either Tatum or Brown guarding him?
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The game is tonight at 9 p.m EST.