The Raptors are in Beantown tonight to take on an accomplished Celtics team who’s just clinched a playoff spot. While both teams are guaranteed a post-season berth, there’s more at steak than some last-minute seed-shuffling. The Raptors are on course to break the franchise-win mark, and eventually lift the Raptors to 50 wins. Pride baby. Pride is on the line.
What you need to know about the Boston Celtics..
This Brad Stevens team has been really fun to watch, especially after the acquisition of Isaiah Thomas who just happens to be one of my favorite young players in the league. Really, the Boston Celtics had no business being in this year’s playoffs. Alas, trying to rebuild in the Eastern Conference is tricky, because even if you’re rebuilding, chances are you’re not bad enough to tank.
It’s comparable to the Rudy Gay trade, a deal which was intended to plummet the Raptors into a rebuild mode that could have taken years. Two months ago, the Boston Celtics had no hope nor any desire to be the 7th seed.
Seriously, I’m not exaggerating when I say they were completely oblivious to that possibility.
“We didn’t even know we had a chance back in the beginning of January,” Tyler Zeller said. “It says a lot about the group we have just coming out every night and competing.”
Zeller’s comment is no surprise, really. From the start, the Celtics had that aura about them that they could beat any team in the league on any given day, mostly because of their insane grit and pride. And, being well-coached doesn’t hurt either.
But they’ve had their challenges. Olynyk hasn’t yet panned-out – especially on the defensive end – and their roster has traces of D-league talent and players who can’t do much offensively. That’s expected, since this team was initially destined for a tank. But then you have some players who are just riddled with talent – even if they’re young and inexperienced.
Taking Isaiah Thomas was a gamble that eventually has completely gotten them out of a tank for this year, but Danny Ainge figured it would be better to take that risk rather than lose out on Thomas later. That’s a move that I would completely agree with.
Isaiah Thomas is a fireball that can cause all kinds of headaches for opposing defenders. Thomas is now averaging 23.2 ppg in his last five outings – that’s eight more than his season average.
Eventually the Celtics probably have to decide between Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas, but for now, they have the most feisty young PG-duo in the league.
Since Marcus Smart sank Raptor hearts ten days ago, the Celtics have won 6-of-7, and they used that initial buzzer-beater to win four straight. That run now sees them 7th in the East, one-game ahead of the Pacers who lie in 8th.
Matchups..
Frontcourt: Jonas Valanciunas, Tyler Hansborough vs Tyler Zeller, Brandon Bass. Edge: Raptors.
Still no Amir Johnson, which means Hansborough will slot in again. The ‘edge’ here depends on two things: Valanciunas’ ability to avoid picking up silly fouls and staying in the game; and Hansborough’s focus on defense. He had a few defensive lapses against Miami which gave the Heat some easy points. Other than that, he’s played really well as of late.
Backcourt: Terrence Ross, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry vs Evan Turner, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart. Edge: Raptors.
The Celtics’ backcourt has been pretty awesome. All three of those guys can score the basketball well. Alas, all-stars and experience trumps them here.
The Celtics are one of the few teams in the league that have a better-scoring bench than the Raptors. So although Lou Williams is on fire right now, the Raptors might have a tougher time with their second-unit than usual. Olynyk comes in off the bench and stretches the floor, and we all know how good Isaiah Thomas is.
Tip-off is at 7:30 PM EST.
Update 6:39 p.m.
https://twitter.com/RaptorsMR/status/588107544201158657
