Key takeaways from the Toronto Raptors loss against the Celtics

#2: Scoring droughts becoming a bad habit for the Raptors

Usually during the third quarter is when the Raptors go into their shooting slump. It came a bit early against the Celtics, as the Raptors were on the receiving end of a 27-6 run during the second quarter.

No player on Toronto’s side was able to provide a lift on offense as the Raptors were outscored 38-14 in the second. It was evident that the Raptors don’t have the tools defensively to keep Jayson Tatum at bay. The 22-year-old All-Star, had 21 points in the second quarter, outscoring the entire Raptors team.

Everyone involved with the Raptors organization knows that scoring droughts have become the new regular. Not only are shots not going in, but the quality of the shots on offense keeps getting worse.

Raptors are continuously looking for the home run play, instead of running a set play, they’re trying to get a three, which only leads to the Celtics responding with a made basket. You live and die by the three and Toronto is dying by it. Despite shooting great during the first quarter, the quality of the shot selection decreased, along with the play on offense from Toronto.

Tatum wasn’t the only catalyst in Boston’s onslaught, Payton Pritchard was an energizer bunny for the Celtics. Pritchard had only 6 points in the second, however, they were timely baskets. Shots that just took the life out of Toronto and fueled Boston even more.

If the Raptors intend to win basketball games, they need to break their habit of going through scoring droughts.