Toronto @ Boston Game #14 pregame Analysis

Seems more and more teams have fallen in love with the 3 ball.  The raptors are no different but i bet none of us knew they actually take more 3 point shots than the Celtics (31.7 vs 30.8 )  They are a very poor 3 point shooting team at 33% so that is the first key to winning the game.  Serge Ibaka and CJ Miles account for 1/3 of those shots and both are shooting them at a very high percentage but again as a team they are very poor.  Boston needs to defend against the 3 point shot and never leave those two open.

The second key to victory will be rebounding.  The Celtics are 47.6 PG and the Raptors are 41.9 per game.

The most important matchup will be Jaylen Brown vs DeRozan.  he picked up where he left off last year and is averaging 24.7 PPG.  He is a throw back 2 guard that heavily relies on his 2 pt shot making ability to score.  He has a handle that keeps you off balance and he will up fake and drawn fouls (averages 9.3 free throw attempts.  Jaylen needs to be mindful of this and just use his speed and strength to keep DeRozan out of his sweet spots.  Jaylen has been struggling making shots as of late and that has caused him to rush things.  He needs to settle down and understand that he does not always need to play at warp speed to be successful.  

Serge Ibaka is playing solid basketball and is the second leading scorer on the team.  The best matchup against him will be Marcus Morris.

Lasdt year Lowry average 20 PPG but this year he has seen his MPG and scoring average drop to 12.9 PG.  At the beginning of the season he looked like he had lost weight but I saw him the other night and he looked like he gained it all back.  Lowry is a nifty ball handle and has a physical style to go with his shot making abilities.  Marcus Smart is the guy who needs to check Lowry.

The 4th leading scorer on the team is the center Valanciunas.  He averages 10.9 PPG and leads their team in rebounds at 8.3 per contest.  There is really nothing special about him but at times he can play well.  Baynes should match up with him unless Horford plays tonight.

At SF they start the undersized 6' 4" Norman Powell.  He is quick but is not much of a  shooter from range.  I guess the best quality about him is his energy.  Tatum will matchup with him.

The raptors rotation is led by veteran SF CJ Miles who is a good shooter and BU 6' 5" PG Delon Wright. Others rotations guys are the center Poetle (remember rambone thought he was great) The long but unrefined Nogueria, PF Pascal Siakan, an active non shooter and OG Anunoby, a rookie SF who has some offensive skills.

Overall there is nothing about their bench that should instill fear in Boston.

The raptors play well as a team and are well coached.  They have been a pain in the ass the last few years.  This will not be an easy game but it will be a winnable game.  The Celtics offense just needs to get untracked.  Help defense will be needed to keep DeRozan out of the paint.

dboss

Heard Al Horford is probable, with Kyrie out would be nice if Rozier can step up and give us some points and assists without the usual terrible %. Smart and Jaylen have been struggling shooting too, I expect them to snap out of it if only because they are better players than that.....I hope.

cowens/oldschool wrote:Heard Al Horford is probable, with Kyrie out would be nice if Rozier can step up and give us some points and assists without the usual terrible %. Smart and Jaylen have been struggling shooting too, I expect them to snap out of it if only because they are better players than that.....I hope.

Cow our guards have been struggling to score.  Both Smart and Rozier must shoot a much better percentage.  Jaylen has been spotty as well.  The most consistent young guy on the team has been Jason Tatum.  I would like to see  many more plays run for him.  

Dboss