Honestly, this was a tough matchup from the get go. After a devastating loss to the New Jersey Nets, the Toronto Raptors wanted to come out tough against the world champs today. Raps fans had a sour taste from the last game, and were hungry for a win against the Celtics.
But things didn't work out this way, the game started out a bit ugly falling 10-0 in the first minutes of the first quarter. By the end KG and the C's ended up beating the Raps 118-103.
Defense wasn't great, the Raps allowed 118 pts and the Celtics shot 70+% from the field in the second half and 61% overall. Celtics had the points in the paint outscoring the Raps 48-22. All starters for the Celtics ended up with double figures with Ray Allen having some wide open looks and hitting 5 threes.
The game was not all bad, Jermaine O'Neal was starting for the Raps after a scare last game, but it was good to see him starting at centre. He was up to the challenge against the champs but unfortunately, he left in the second quarter. It's good to see him leave the game and give him time to rehab the knee; the last thing the Raps need is to lose his inside presence. From the recap, the injury looks to be day to day.
Overall, the loss was disappointing. The Raps didn't have that intensity they had against the Nets. Raps weren't down big throughout the whole game and made runs to pull it within 6....
BUT...
...it never got it closer than that and the Raps never had a lead. Bosh had a decent game: 24 pts, 6 boards but KG played tough defense on him.
In order for the Raps to prove that they can be a viable playoff contender, they need wins against these big teams not wins against Mickey Mouse teams like Miami and Milwaukee. Raps are off until Wednesday when they face Charlotte. Opponents that follow include the Atlanta Hawks and the LA Lakers. Check out the funny video on the LA Lakers' Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic.
Photo credit: (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
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