Quick Reaction: Raptors 101, Celtics 115
Scottie Barnes / B- / 32 minutes, 10 points, 5-14 FG, 0-3 3FG, 0-0 FT, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 4 turnovers, 2 personal fouls, -15 + / –
Scottie set up Poeltl to score throughout this game. He didn’t have many points, but played very aggressive in the second quarter. He pushed the tempo on a third quarter play after Tatum scored on him. He hit an awkward shot in the post over two Celtics to beat the shot clock. He seemed hurt, but came back into the game and imposed his will before the fourth quarter meltdown.
Ja’Kobe Walter / A+ / 32 MIN, 16 PTS, 6-9 FG, 4-5 3FG, 0-3 FT, 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, -5 +/-
This was a big, big time game for Walter from start to finish. Too bad the Raps crumbled in the fourth quarter. Him and Mamu were the only reliable 3-point threats throughout the game. He hit his second 3 in the first quarter when no one else was hitting them. That stopped the bleeding. He had a nice cut to tie it 26 apiece and had a great floater using CMB’s screen. He hit another 3 in the second quarter. In the third, he hit a big 3 to help the Raps get within 5. He played with patience offensively too – when he got doubled down low, he didn’t rush it and waited to kick the ball out. He forced two jump balls, and didn’t let Vucevic or other Celtics bigger than him to overpower him down low. Even when the game was getting away from them, he kept fighting to keep possession of the ball.
Jakob Poeltl / D / 20 MIN, 14 PTS, 7-9 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 2 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 4 PF, -16 +/- Poeltl looked better when he wasn’t played. He finished off Scottie’s passes, and did drew a foul from Queta, but he had 0 rebounds in the first half. The Celtics hunted him and it worked.
Jamal Shead / D+ / 26 MIN, 7 PTS, 2-8 FG, 1-3 3FG, 2-2 FT, 1 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, -7 +/-
Like Poeltl, Shead was better off the floor, especially in the fourth quarter. He wasn’t reliable with the ball in his hands when the fourth quarter hit.
Collin Murray-Boyles / A- / 26 MIN, 12 PTS, 5-8 FG, 0-0 3FG, 2-4 FT, 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, -1 +/-
He was the only reliable inside presence this game The Celtics didn’t respect his touch around the rim (especially with a hand that’s still not 100%). He hit an elbow jumper and scored again in a 8-0, then 10-0run. He was pivotal in the third quarter – he got to the line and followed up Shead’s missed lay-up with a big dunk.
RJ Barrett / C / 35 MIN, 15 PTS, 6-17 FG, 1-4 3FG, 2-2 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 2 PF, -15 +/-
Barrett’s stats don’t really tell the full story. He had six points at halftime and as a physical player, Barrett could have been more useful on the defensive end. In a game where he could have been an X-factor, RJ was nowhere to be found.
Sandro Mamukelashvili / A- / 24 min, 10 pts, 2-4 FG, 2-3 3FG, 4-4 FT, 6 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, -8 +/-
Mamu’s hit a big 3 as the Boston crowd erupted in the third, Mamu hit his biggest 3 in the third quarter. The game was within reach – a two-point game. Mamu had a solid defensive play on Tatum as he forced him to miss a 3 deep into the shot clock.
Brandon Ingram / C+ / 34 MIN, 15 PTS, 6-13 fg, 0-1 3FG, 3-3 FT, 3 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, -13 +/-
BI underwhelmed. It took him a while to get going as he only had 3 points and one big block by halftime. He showcased two great spin moves and scored in third and fourth quarter runs before the Raptors fell apart.
Darko Rajakovic (B-)
Scottie was hurt early in the game and CMB seemed to need some time to rest. That’s not the doing of the coach. Poeltl and Shead got way too many minutes, but it seemed like he had no other choice as there are clear limitations that got exposed today, especially when Poeltl’s utility diminishes.
Things we saw:
- In a potential playoff preview match-up, the bench guys-plus-Walter outplayed the starters. Barnes imposed his will on this game at times, but the rest of the starters wilted when this seemed winnable till the final 10 minutes.
Your next read: Even in a game where Ingram was underwhelming, his ability to adjust to Darko’s system has helped the Raps overachieve this season. Joe Wolfond explains how:
Despite making some subtle adjustments to facilitate better flow this season, that’s still largely who Ingram is as a player. His default setting is languid. Sometimes when the ball finds him, it sticks, and watching him gradually nudge those possessions along can be like watching someone try to coax honey out of an upturned jar.
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