Celtics (1-0) at Raptors (0-1) Round 2 Game 2 9/1/20

[Redz]

I'm way overconfident right now, and may regret saying this, but.....

I think we will win pretty handily again tonight.  I think the Raptors don't have any answers.

I agree

Never underestimate the heart of a champion.  I don't think the Raptors will go down in a heap.

I would agree with that if their heart didn’t leave them last season for LA. That was one of the more fortuitous title runs we’ve seen in awhile.

Yes, but they've been through the battles together and have played with a chip on their shoulder all season.

[Vermont Green]

A couple of things  I took from the first game.  First, they shot well below average, we shot above average, particularly from 3 (43.6)%.  Our defense had something to do with their shooting but you can't expect them to be as bad or us to be as good again.

As I look at the match ups, they have size in the front court on us for sure, Siakam, Gasol, Ibaka are a formidable big rotation.  But their starting back court is really small.  In most cases, Kemba at 6'-0" is a weakness but their starting back court are both no bigger.  And then one of Lowry or Van Fleet has to cover Smart.  Smart had a nice game due in part to the match up I think.

Overall, we need to maintain the balanced scoring that we had in game one and our bench just needs to hold their own again (Wannamaker, Ojeleye and RWilliams all held their own in game 1).  Beyond Obaka, their bench does not scare me although our bench does not scare anyone.

Toronto is there for the taking.

[Redz]

A lot of basketball just comes down to making shots.  Raptors shot really poorly in game one.
Odds are they probably won't shoot as bad.  I predict a closer game.

There were some strange stats in Game 1.  The Celts shouldn't have been able to get away with as many turnovers as they did, but their great 3 point shooting and transition D bailed them out nicely.  Just keep sharing the load on offense and playing hard, smart D and they'll be OK.  Van Vleet bricking hard was a welcome sight. 

[Greenality]

Logically, this is the game of the year for Toronto, so I expect them to bounce back. Similar to the way they beat us in late december. The key for C's will be hitting open looks and reducing the number of TO. As convincing it was 2 days ago, 23 TO won't let you win too many games against this kind of opponent. And I also assume Raps will at least try to be more aggressive in the interior.
Big game, getting a W out of it would be massive.

[GreenEnvy]

Logically, this is the game of the year for Toronto, so I expect them to bounce back. Similar to the way they beat us in late december. The key for C's will be hitting open looks and reducing the number of TO. As convincing it was 2 days ago, 23 TO won't let you win too many games against this kind of opponent. And I also assume Raps will at least try to be more aggressive in the interior.
Big game, getting a W out of it would be massive.

Just as we shouldn't expect them to miss as many 3's this time, they shouldn't expect us to turn the ball over that much.

[Celtics Mike]

Let's go Celtics !

[BringToughnessBack]

So ready for the game! Let’s keep the undefeated streak alive until 2021!

[liam]

So ready for the game! Let’s keep the undefeated streak alive until 2021!

GAME TIME!!!!!!

[jpotter33]

Let's go C's!

Hopefully we come out with energy, because I expect to get their best shot tonight.

[Phantom255x]

If you read the Raptors' forums right now, they're basically just rooting for Tony Brothers tonight because they know that he screws us every game.

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1991082&start=120

Although they're also scared that we're due to win one when he's reffing.  The Raps fans don't seem super confident overall and they also are pointing out how bad Gasol looks vs us and have threads worrying about Siakam.  I think Siakam is a killer, he just isn't a #1 option.

Wow, didn't realize Tony Brothers is officiating tonight. Honestly, that changes how I feel about the game as well.

Omg Tony Brothers??

[liam]

ESPn just showed a graphic that said we are down 1-0.

[Bahku]

GO CELTICS!!

(My first post in a VERY long time)

[jpotter33]

Smaaahhhttt!

[BringToughnessBack]

Smart! 😁

[BringToughnessBack]

Such amazing young talent we have! Love that shot by Brown.