Boston Celtics vs San Antonio Spurs Preview

This is the matchup that everyone has been dreading. The Boston Celtics have a sunday afternoon meeting against the San Antonio Spurs and they are going to need a special performance in order to escape with a victory, especially after the display they put on against the Toronto Raptors.

The only potential good news it that the Spurs may be dealing with some of the same chemistry issues that the Celtics are trying to work through. The addition of LaMarcus Aldridge could mean the end of everything for the rest of the NBA, but he first needs to get comfortable in a much more structured system than he played with in Portland.

Unfortunately, chemistry issues will be no where near enough to get the Celtics a victory. Any kind of performance similar to the Raptors could mean Aldridge may wind up spending his time on the bench as the second unit closes out a blowout. The Celtics had no offensive flow and were missing easy shots.

A tight whistle from the refs ensured that both the Celtics and Raptors had to labor through the first half. However, the Celtics never managed to find their stride on the offensive end and had only Isaiah Thomas and free throws to contribute offensive success.

Oct 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts to his shot during the 2nd quarter against the Toronto Raptorsat TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive success is going to be a must to beat the Spurs. Their offensive system is absolutely destructive and the Celtics’ defense will only be able to do so much. The Celtics could have their best defensive game possible but it wouldn’t matter if they are not creating offense through ball movement.

Of course, the defense will also have to be on point, if nothing else because it has been leading to a lot of offense. The Celtics’ activity on the defensive end has been generating a great deal of steals and the team has been at their best in transition. The Celtics cannot afford to let the Spurs score at will because they do not have the offensive firepower to keep up with it.

As painful as it sounds, the Celtics will need something close to a perfect game to beat the Spurs. The Celtics simply do not have the kind of talent that the Spurs have and they will need to do everything in their power to escape with a victory.

Unfortunately, the Celtics missed out on an opportunity to go against the Spurs with a 2-0 record but a loss to the Spurs will not be disastrous thanks to the win against the 76ers. The Celtics have a long stretch against fringe eastern conference teams following the Spurs game and they will have an opportunity to make up for their two loses there.

Falling under .500 could put the Celtics in a difficult situation. Even though they go though a stretch where they do not play another team at the caliber of the Spurs, the likes of the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks will be contending for a playoff spot in the east and will be no easy task for the Celtics.

The Celtics are yet to get a great game from David Lee or Tyler Zeller and Marcus Smart has appeared to be on the fringe of breaking out offensively. Even if the game against the 76ers, the Celtics were no where near their best and that is where they need to be against the Spurs.

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This could be a great early statement game for the Celtics if they manage to pry out a victory. The Celtics still are not cemented as contenders in the east and a victory against the Spurs will surely get everybody’s attention.

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