Pascal Siakam is an island.
 | Celtics | 112 | Final Box Score | 115 | Raptors |  |
 A+ | P. Siakam47 MIN, 40 PTS, 13 REB, 1 AST, 3 STL, 17-29 FG, 0-4 3FG, 6-8 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, +3 +/- A +++++++ Best performance of any Raptors this season. Faced an unbelievable amount of defensive attention, and bludgeoned them early. When he saw his teammates fumbling open shots, he took the game into his own hands late and created over and over. Defended the rim. Defended on switches. Did EVERYTHING. Incredible. All-NBA. | |
 A- | O. Anunoby40 MIN, 14 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 6-12 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +9 +/- Was so essential to any defensive success the Raptors had tonight. Covered for teammates mistakes, hit some triples, grabbed boards, and created a smidge off the bounce. Very nice game. | |
 C- | S. Barnes30 MIN, 10 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 5-12 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -10 +/- As is always the case, there was some really fun plays from Scottie tonight. Those downhill iso’s looked good when they came. But, he completely undermined the defense over and over again by granting blow-bys, paying little attention off-ball, and he didn’t bring enough offensively to make up for it. He is the future, for sure, but tonight was rough. | |
 B- | F. VanVleet40 MIN, 14 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 4-13 FG, 3-9 3FG, 3-3 FT, 1 BLK, 4 TO, +3 +/- It’s hard to overrate late shot-making, and he brought it. Failed at the point of attack on defense, confused with decision making on offense, but at the end of it all he hit big shots to give Siakam a chance late. Gumption, at the very least. | |
 C | G. Trent Jr.37 MIN, 12 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 4-12 FG, 1-5 3FG, 3-3 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -10 +/- His defense was fairly atrocious for most of the game. Cleaned up some stuff late, had a big steal, but his first game back looked like it came a game too early. He’ll be better in the future. | |
 A+ | T. Young28 MIN, 12 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 5-9 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 3 BLK, 0 TO, +12 +/- He was tremendous. Banged around as the ‘5’, stuck Smart in isolation better than both ‘GTJ’ and Scottie, and helped make everything go on offense. Awesome game. | |
 C | C. Boucher15 MIN, 6 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 2-9 FG, 1-4 3FG, 1-2 FT, 0 BLK, 0 TO, +2 +/- Tough game with all the Celtics pinched in on defense and the gritty, gritty way they played. They got lower, and he couldn’t beat guys at the top for boards or buckets. Still, not a travesty. He’ll be back and better. | |
 A- | P. Achiuwa28 MIN, 7 PTS, 8 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 3-10 FG, 1-4 3FG, 0-2 FT, 4 BLK, 1 TO, +6 +/- His defense saved the Siakam-less stretch to close the third. The offense didn’t pop (he did have 2 self created buckets though), but he was really good all things considered. | |
 B | Nick Nurse It’s not his fault guys don’t hit shots sometimes. But, he may have leaned too hard on Fred and Gary in the middle parts of the game. He’s been quoted saying he loves the tough ones, and he got one. | |
Things We Saw
- Pascal Siakam All-NBA. Don’t forget it.
- The Raptors desperately need Gary, Fred – one of them – to pick it up at the point of attack. Their defense shouldn’t be getting buckled by Smart repeatedly.
- Yes, the reffing was tough to swallow.
