Lake Buena Vista, fl. – Three ideas on Toronto’s series-tying 100-93 Game 4 win over Boston on Saturday
Raptors have life
At the beginning of the seed games, I spoke with the Raptors officer. Poet Leonard is gone, the officer told me. But some part of him is still here. Among the many things Leonard brought to Toronto was mental stubbornness, the ability to move losses and move on to the next game. The Raptors drilled a 2-0 hole on Milwaukee last season. Toronto drew their second round series with Boston.
Make no mistake: it’s not pretty. Toronto burned 39.5% off the ground (up to 44% of Boston); The raps are better than the three-point range (38.6%), the Celtics are the worst (20%), and Jaylen Brown (2-11) is the worst offender.
After the Toronto buzzer-beating victory over Boston in Game 3, I was amazed at how the Celtics came out. Well not, it turns out. Brown told me the team never seemed to get into rhythm; Brad Stevens called his team “not crisp” and noted that players seem to land after every missed shot.
Toronto, meanwhile, is under control throughout. “All the series that happened for the first time,” Nick Nurse said. Raptors liked the look they were getting beyond the three-point line in this range; On Saturday, they started going downhill. Most of the protection at the beginning of the re art, is locked. “We understood it was the first of four,” Kyle Lowry said. “All you can do is keep working …”
While the NBA world was buzzing about Milwaukee’s refusal to extend Zionis Antetoconpo’s minutes, the nurse drove her best players. Lori, 34, played 44 minutes and finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Pascal Siakam played 46, including the second half overall. Played by Fred Vanwheelt 45. The nurse was outraged when asked about playing her stars so heavily. At this point, the nurse said, they hope so.
“We have nothing to rest on,” Vanvilleet said. “Not tomorrow” [Nurse] Wandering around with big guns, and that’s the way we like it. ”
Welcome to the Pascal Siakam Playoffs
Siacom’s shooting woes were among the top stories in the bubble, and at the beginning of Siacom (1-4 in the first quarter, 4-11 in the first half) he seemed likely to go for another rough night. Siakam, however, is stuck with it. He made three midways in the third quarter, uttering a scream as he ran towards the bench. He scored 11 points in the third quarter, turning the Toronto tie game into an eight-point lead.
Despite paying attention to the offense committed by Siacom, he still did not buy much threes, ending 2-13 — his defense increased. He has been the primary defender against Brown and Jason Tatum, who have had little impact in the last two games. He reduced 11 rebounds in Game 3. He found ways for a difference.
“Sometimes you can get caught up in maxes and misses,” Siakam says. “I have to understand that I have to keep doing other things. That’s what I’m focused on. I’m not worried about making and miss. I ‘m worried about affecting the game in all sorts of ways.”
And you, Boston?
Through six games, the Celtics are on vacation. Crime clicked. The defense appeared to be firm.
In Game 4, it came apart.
Stevens said he has not seen any hangover since Game 3; He said he was encouraged by how the team reacted after Thursday’s gut wrenching defeat. But Toronto has gained some um now. The Celtics need more from Totem, who is three to 2-10 in the last two games. They need more from Brown, who struggled with foul trouble in Game 4. They need more from Kemba Walker, who is limited to nine shots in 41 minutes. They should have been better off in the third quarter, where Boston was hurt. Stevens said the team talked about the fourth quarter fights before the game. In Game 4, they went 32-24.
Boston is still in it. If not for the great inbound pass and good shot in recent playoff history, they are 3-1. Toronto, Championship caliber even without Leonard. And the raptors are not going away.
About The Author
More Stories
Top Myths and Misconceptions About Turtles: Debunked
3 Top-Rated Laptop Power Banks in 2024
Essential Care for Hermann’s Tortoise: A Guide to Thriving Pets