Arguably the most important and the most difficult stretch of the Boston Celtics‘ season is beginning tonight and it starts with one of two ramaining match ups against the Toronto Raptors.
The Celtics are fresh off of one of the more devastating losses of the season and the margin of error continues to shrink away. The biggest thing standing in the way of the Celtics getting a playoff spot is less one of the teams ahead of them in the standings and is more about the remaining schedule.
The Celtics absolutely cannot afford to lose to the Raptors and fortunately, the Celtics get them on a back to back.
One of the strangest aspects of the Celtics’ season is their ability to win on the second of back to backs. As odd as it seems the Celtics seem to be at their best having played a game the night before.
Banking on the Celtics winning yet another second game on the back to back would be a huge mistakes for the Celtics. Fortunately, they have plenty more reasons to believe that they will have an opportunity to come through with a victory.
The Celtics guards will have a daunting task ahead of them. The duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan is one of the best in the league and an inexperienced Celtics’ back court may struggle to keep up with them.
Feb 6, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) is congratulated by guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after making a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Clippers 123-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
As the starting Celtics guards may struggle with a matchup, even more importance is put on to the play of the reserves. This is an area Celtics fan should get excited about because their second unit is one of their biggest strengths.
Isaiah Thomas starts the game on the bench but more often then not ends the game with starters minutes. Having Thomas come off the bench will be one of the biggest advantages the Celtics will have in the game. Unless the Raptors organize their minutes around Thomas’, Thomas will have an opportunity to play against the Raptors reserves and this is where they absolutely must take advantage.
Even if the Celtics starting guards manage to get a wash against the Raptors’ starting guards it will be absolutely essential for Thomas to find his pre injury form. Fortunately, Thomas has started to look a lot more like his prime form.
Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Indiana Pacers forward Luis Scola (4) chase after a loose ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas has been shooting the ball with more consistency and most importantly he has been driving to the paint and manufacturing points.
The paint is the area that the Celtics will have to live against the Celtics. As good as the Raptors’ guards are, the front court will have a tough time against the Celtics.
With their incredible ability to stretch the floor the Celtics will have a great opportunity to to expose the defensive struggles of Jonas Valanciunas. the Raptors are one of the worst rebidding teams in the league, and while the Celtics are not spectacular, they are quietly the 11th best rebounding team in the NBA.
This game presents an incredible opportunity for Tyler Zeller to break out. Zeller has been incredibly efficient but has seen perhaps fewer minutes than he should given the great play of Jerebko, Olynyk, Datome and Bass. If Zeller continues to make the best of his opportunities against the Raptors he will definitely grab a lot of people’s attention on the scoreboard.
The Raptors are also around the middle of the pack defending the three as their opponents shoots 34.8% from beyond the arc. The Raptors will be forced to leave openings in the paint to account for the Celtics’ ability to stretch the floor. The Celtics have more than enough players that are a threat from beyond the arc that the paint should stay open for the majority of the game.
Zeller and Bass are the only bigs that stay away from the three pointers and that makes them the most important players in the game. Bass and Zeller will have to abuse Valanciunas and if they get things going the Celtics will have a great opportunity to stay alive in the playoff hunt.
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