Predictions: Celtics vs Raptors

[Atzar]

Celtics in 6.  I like our top talent (Tatum/Walker/Brown) better than theirs (Siakam/Lowry/VanVleet) even with Hayward out.  I think that wins out over their superior depth.

They don't have a guy like Embiid who we just don't have an answer for.  Theis should be fine against Gasol - he doesn't want to be an offensive focal point anymore and is content to just set screens and take the occasional catch-and-shoot jumper.  Robert Williams may be a problem for Toronto.  On the other hand, I don't like Kanter much for this series. 

Should be fun. 

[rondofan1255]

Curious to see a poll 

[Who]

Celtics in 5

Not impressed by Raptors. They try hard and work together but they lack the talent needed to compete with top teams like the Celtics.

Edit: Bah! I keep forgetting Hayward isn't coming back right away. Okay this looks like a tough series then. That is enough to even out the teams. Bummer.

I'll change to Celtics in 7.

[blink]

Celtics in 6.  I like our top talent (Tatum/Walker/Brown) better than theirs (Siakam/Lowry/VanVleet) even with Hayward out.  I think that wins out over their superior depth.

They don't have a guy like Embiid who we just don't have an answer for.  Theis should be fine against Gasol - he doesn't want to be an offensive focal point anymore and is content to just set screens and take the occasional catch-and-shoot jumper.  Robert Williams may be a problem for Toronto.  On the other hand, I don't like Kanter much for this series. 

Should be fun.

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if Nick Nurse goes with a huge dose of Ibaka against us.  Ibaka usually plays well against us.  If there is more Ibaka I agree we won't see as much Kanter.  I hope Timelord gets some real minutes in this series, but I have my doubts.

[hpantazo]

Celtics in 6. Even without Hayward, the Celtics are just better overall. Siakam is good but not a big time star, and Lowry and VanVleet are no match for our backcourt.

[Phantom255x]

I fear our starters will be dead by the middle of the 2nd round lol.

The bench really needs to be more like they were in Game 2 of this series if we want to beat Toronto. Just 11 bench points today.

Meanwhile, Tatum and Brown played 41 minutes and Smart played 43 minutes today. Is that sustainable in a long series??

CBS though doesn’t really have better options if the bench can’t score much and with Hayward out. We don’t need the bench to play superstar-like (though it’d be nice) but they need to do better than just 10-15 points a game. PHI at times came back today before the 4th quarter because the scoring dried up again with our bench mostly in.

Also, Semi I like you and still think you’ve got solid 3-and-D potential similar to Crowder and others alike. But you’ve GOT to drain these 3s man. Especially the open looks more often.

I'm not too worried about their tanks given how long they've had off

Maybe but they'll certainly start to feel it if they have to go 38+ minutes a game like every game, especially in the middle of the series. Bench needs to step up and help out more consistently.

[Atzar]

Celtics in 6.  I like our top talent (Tatum/Walker/Brown) better than theirs (Siakam/Lowry/VanVleet) even with Hayward out.  I think that wins out over their superior depth.

They don't have a guy like Embiid who we just don't have an answer for.  Theis should be fine against Gasol - he doesn't want to be an offensive focal point anymore and is content to just set screens and take the occasional catch-and-shoot jumper.  Robert Williams may be a problem for Toronto.  On the other hand, I don't like Kanter much for this series. 

Should be fun.

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if Nick Nurse goes with a huge dose of Ibaka against us.  Ibaka usually plays well against us.  If there is more Ibaka I agree we won't see as much Kanter.  I hope Timelord gets some real minutes in this series, but I have my doubts.

I think Williams will get some run.  I think he was out of the rotation against Philly mostly due to matchups.  But his ability to run and play vertical could be an issue for Toronto. 

[ozgod]

Celtics in 6. I would have said in 5 if we had Gordon. I think we will miss him more against Toronto than against Philly.

[blink]

Celtics in 6.  I like our top talent (Tatum/Walker/Brown) better than theirs (Siakam/Lowry/VanVleet) even with Hayward out.  I think that wins out over their superior depth.

They don't have a guy like Embiid who we just don't have an answer for.  Theis should be fine against Gasol - he doesn't want to be an offensive focal point anymore and is content to just set screens and take the occasional catch-and-shoot jumper.  Robert Williams may be a problem for Toronto.  On the other hand, I don't like Kanter much for this series. 

Should be fun.

Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if Nick Nurse goes with a huge dose of Ibaka against us.  Ibaka usually plays well against us.  If there is more Ibaka I agree we won't see as much Kanter.  I hope Timelord gets some real minutes in this series, but I have my doubts.

I think Williams will get some run.  I think he was out of the rotation against Philly mostly due to matchups.  But his ability to run and play vertical could be an issue for Toronto.

Man I hope he does get some time.  Timelord can't learn to play in the playoffs without actually playing in the playoffs.  Plus, I really hate the super small ball lineup with Grant at the 5.  I hope we can stop with that lineup.

[ozgod]

I fear our starters will be dead by the middle of the 2nd round lol.

The bench really needs to be more like they were in Game 2 of this series if we want to beat Toronto. Just 11 bench points today.

Meanwhile, Tatum and Brown played 41 minutes and Smart played 43 minutes today. Is that sustainable in a long series??

CBS though doesn’t really have better options if the bench can’t score much and with Hayward out. We don’t need the bench to play superstar-like (though it’d be nice) but they need to do better than just 10-15 points a game. PHI at times came back today before the 4th quarter because the scoring dried up again with our bench mostly in.

Also, Semi I like you and still think you’ve got solid 3-and-D potential similar to Crowder and others alike. But you’ve GOT to drain these 3s man. Especially the open looks more often.

I'm not too worried about their tanks given how long they've had off

Maybe but they'll certainly start to feel it if they have to go 38+ minutes a game like every game, especially in the middle of the series. Bench needs to step up and help out more consistently.

Brad said in his post game that he’s expecting the Jays to “play a ton”. It’s the playoffs, this is when we need them. Obviously if our bench can ease some pressure on them that would be awesome but we’re going to have to ride our starters if we’re going to make a deep run 

[NKY fan]

I fear our starters will be dead by the middle of the 2nd round lol.

The bench really needs to be more like they were in Game 2 of this series if we want to beat Toronto. Just 11 bench points today.

Meanwhile, Tatum and Brown played 41 minutes and Smart played 43 minutes today. Is that sustainable in a long series??

CBS though doesn’t really have better options if the bench can’t score much and with Hayward out. We don’t need the bench to play superstar-like (though it’d be nice) but they need to do better than just 10-15 points a game. PHI at times came back today before the 4th quarter because the scoring dried up again with our bench mostly in.

Also, Semi I like you and still think you’ve got solid 3-and-D potential similar to Crowder and others alike. But you’ve GOT to drain these 3s man. Especially the open looks more often.

I'm not too worried about their tanks given how long they've had off

Maybe but they'll certainly start to feel it if they have to go 38+ minutes a game like every game, especially in the middle of the series. Bench needs to step up and help out more consistently.

That bench is on danny ... everyone was ringing the alarm at the trade deadline we needed veteran role players

[jpotter33]

Celtics in 6. Toronto is good, but we matchup well with them and they don’t have the amount of high-level talent that we do.

[jpotter33]

This is as far as Boston will go, unfortunately. Lack of Gordon Hayward and an abysmal bench will doom the Celtics against these quick, dangerous, and deep Raptors team.

Toronto in 5.

I mean, you were also the one saying Boston was in trouble against Philly after Hayward went down lol

[jpotter33]

I fear our starters will be dead by the middle of the 2nd round lol.

The bench really needs to be more like they were in Game 2 of this series if we want to beat Toronto. Just 11 bench points today.

Meanwhile, Tatum and Brown played 41 minutes and Smart played 43 minutes today. Is that sustainable in a long series??

CBS though doesn’t really have better options if the bench can’t score much and with Hayward out. We don’t need the bench to play superstar-like (though it’d be nice) but they need to do better than just 10-15 points a game. PHI at times came back today before the 4th quarter because the scoring dried up again with our bench mostly in.

Also, Semi I like you and still think you’ve got solid 3-and-D potential similar to Crowder and others alike. But you’ve GOT to drain these 3s man. Especially the open looks more often.

I'm not too worried about their tanks given how long they've had off

Yep, this. Plus by sweeping they should buy themselves a few extra days of rest. Hopefully the Nets can steal a game today and give us even more rest!

[BringToughnessBack]

Stay undefeated..Celtics in 4