Raptors (7-9) at Celtics (11-4) 11/27

[celticinorlando]

ANother mediocre team, another poor defensive display and another first half deficit. Question for all the "don't worry" guys out there tonight. Just when this year should we expect this team to really start playing defense?

With the Raptors put up every shot possible and wow, it goes in. Early on, mostly the 1st quarter, they were driving, and I hated that. Now, in the 2nd quarter, they're just stopping and putting up jump shots, and thank their lucky stars they're going in.

I don't think it can last all game.

that is what we thought when they played the suns, magic pacers and 76ers...and the shots kept falling...it is the defense folks..it isnt there anymore....they aren't even defending like an average team

[Tai]

And I have to agree with pengaloo. When he's not left open, he seems to only dribble.

[vinnie]

One other interesting theme I am seeing in the forums this year. Every game, many posters writing how the other teams can't miss tonight and that is why the Celtics are behind or why their defense looks worse than it really is. Did you ever stop to think that maybe the other team is hitting so many of their shots because so many are uncontested? It can't just be a coincidence that every team the Celtics plays all of a sudden becomes one of the best shooting teams in the league.

[Kiorrik]

Crap, go through effort to write a big reply and you get last post of the page >_<

Hate it when that happens

[jadams5214]

Orlando and a few others see the real picture.

It's funny to hear posters saying how the Raptors are just hot and making great shots.  Why is that the excuse every game now?  Against Philly that is what was being said how they were just hot and playing above their heads.  

The self described identity of this team is as a dominant defensive team.  The players are there, the coaches are there, playing at home and the team is well rested.  There just aren't any excuses anymore.  Hey if this team is going to become last years post KG team that's fine and definitely makes for exciting games.  

BUT if that's the case then Doc and the guys need to stop pretending and just accept the fact that they can't play the type of suffocating defense that once was the staple of this team...

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, at least Wallace is coming out of his slump..good game from him so far.

The Raptors can score 150 points tonight for all I care..as long as the Celtics score 151 .

[Surferdad]

Turned up the D?  Wow the expectations for this team are just falling every game.  The Celtics are shooting 70% and LOSING!  I would bet that has happened less than 5 times in the last 3 years that they have shot such a high percentage and don't have a big lead.

The Raptors are shooting almost as well as the Celtics tonight it's just pitiful.  

Somehow in the last 3 weeks the expectations for this team have gone from being one of the best defensive teams EVER to being happy with holding a team to under 70% wow...

There is a difference between shooting 70% on open shots or easy baskets in the paint. The C's are doing what they want in the paint while the Raptors are shooting from long distance. Sure, they got a lot of open looks but they also hit contested shots that were really tough to nail. Plus, they have 14 turnovers, which shows the efficiency of our D. And they have scored only 20 points in the paint on 55 points scored...

But when you have yourself 10 turnovers on the other side, it helps the score being that close. I'm not saying the C's played great D, far from it, but it wasn't as bad as it was in the last games, and sometimes the opponent is just hot. I think Toronto will cool off in the second half.

So now the hope is that the Raps will "cool off" from the outside and that's why the C's will win?  I've got news for you:  Outside shooting is the Raptors game, it's what they do best.

Face it, sugar-coaters.  The Celtics simply are not playing good defense in this game or any game in the last two weeks plus.  They noty getting up in guys shirts, they are not switching on defense and they look tired.  Unless they comes out to start the 3rd quarter with some INTENSITY on defense, they will lose this one.

[Surferdad]

I lowered my expectations to enjoy the game of basketball again. The C's are second to the game, to me.

And honestly, I like seeing us right now. Yes, we have some flaws on D, but I don't think they're too big. And since there's no change in our D, I'd rather stop discussing it too much 'cuz it aint helping and we all agree on its suckiness. We have an eleven and four record, don't we? That's pretty great. There's a lot of teams that would murder for that.

So yes, we're playing lackluster D lately. Yes we've had a shooting slump. Good thing to take from today: shooting slump is over.

That's what I'm going with, and to hell with all the talk about how we suck, 'cuz I've definitely heard more than enough of that.

I like your optimism, but you are kidding yourself if you think that this game represents a breakout from the shooting slump.  The Raptors are one of the worst defense teams in the league.

[jadams5214]

Good points by Orlando and Vinnie --- Teams aren't having miracle shooting nights just by chance every time they play the Celtics.  It's because there is no resistance coming on the defensive end.  

It's hard to fathom that this team now has to shoot 70% to stay close in a home game???

[celticinorlando]

would rather struggle on offense then defend like they are....that is one thing they could always count on when they didnt make shots....right now they can't do that for some reason

[Kiorrik]

I lowered my expectations to enjoy the game of basketball again. The C's are second to the game, to me.

And honestly, I like seeing us right now. Yes, we have some flaws on D, but I don't think they're too big. And since there's no change in our D, I'd rather stop discussing it too much 'cuz it aint helping and we all agree on its suckiness. We have an eleven and four record, don't we? That's pretty great. There's a lot of teams that would murder for that.

So yes, we're playing lackluster D lately. Yes we've had a shooting slump. Good thing to take from today: shooting slump is over.

That's what I'm going with, and to hell with all the talk about how we suck, 'cuz I've definitely heard more than enough of that.

I like your optimism, but you are kidding yourself if you think that this game represents a breakout from the shooting slump.  The Raptors are one of the worst defense teams in the league.

Shooting slump.

We were missing, wide, open, shots.

Now, we're hitting them.

Sheed is 2-3 where he was 0-8 a game or two ago. And believe me, I saw every single game up 'till now and the shots were exactly the same: wide open from the 3p-line at the middle of the court.

.edit: + TP for replying to my post cuz it was on the previous page lol harharhar

[RJ87]

It can't just be a coincidence that every team the Celtics plays all of a sudden becomes one of the best shooting teams in the league.

The Raptors put up 108 pts per game coming into, so to say their just hitting their stride against our defense is a bit much.

Toronto is going to put up points - the important thing is that we contest shot and try to make it difficult. I don't think I've "lowered my expectations" more so I'm being more realistic and not expecting to hold one of the highest scoring teams in the league to a 20pt half...

[MattG12]

Well, at least Wallace is coming out of his slump..good game from him so far.

The Raptors can score 150 points tonight for all I care..as long as the Celtics score 151 .

I would rather see the C's play good defense and lose than play horrible defense and win.

[Kiorrik]

Well, at least Wallace is coming out of his slump..good game from him so far.

The Raptors can score 150 points tonight for all I care..as long as the Celtics score 151 .

I would rather see the C's play good defense and lose than play horrible defense and win.

Can I erm... disagree? And quite possibly 'un-agree' you as well? Gimme W's!

[jadams5214]

Offense comes and goes but effort on defense is a constant.  It's what bailed the C's out on nights they struggled offensively.  

Let's see Philly scored 110 the other night in Boston against a rested team.  Tonight they have 41 in the 3rd quarter facing a Hawks team that played last night.

Hmmmm....