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Boston Celtics Go Cold in Second Half and Can’t Hang With East’s Best Team

By Mujeeb Ahmed

TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 19: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on October 19, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 19: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on October 19, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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First Half

Brad Stevens elected to start Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum and Horford against the Raptors and new Raptors Head Coach, Nick Nurse countered by starting Lowry, Green, Leonard, Siakam and Ibaka.

The Celtics have the ability to shuffle their lineup to competently play a multitude of different styles of basketball and tonight, Stevens’ decision to start the aforementioned group forced Nick Nurse’s hand to start Serge Ibaka instead of Jonas Valanciunas.

The Celtics starting unit has work to do on offense as it’s clear that they are not a cohesive unit as of yet. In effort to remedy these expected struggles, the Celtics have made it an emphasis to attack early in transition through two games. Although they may not be scoring on fast break opportunities, they are certainly looking to catch defenses in-flux matching up in transition by advancing the ball up to create mismatches early in the shot clock.

The Celtics should be able address their disjointedness on offense once Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving settle back in after their off-season injuries but as of now, the starting unit has work to do offensively.

Jayson Tatum once again looked sharp offensively, and showcased an absolutely beautiful euro-step in transition.

Nick Nurse’s decision to start Ibaka over Valanciunas opened up the opportunity for the Celtics to take advantage on the boards, grabbing 10 offensive boards in the first half and scoring 9 points off of them. However, the Celtics struggled mightily to defend Serge Ibaka on rolls to the basket, as he started off strong, scoring an efficient 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting.

Kawhi Leonard looked like he was still getting back into the groove offensively in the first half, scoring just 9 points on 3 of 11 shooting but affected the game defensively along with Danny Green to stifle the Celtics offense.

Although it was a subpar output from Leonard and the Raptors, the Celtics were only able to carry a 53-49 lead into halftime.

Kyrie Irving takes a jumpshot off the dribble early in the shot clock (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images).
Kyrie Irving takes a jumpshot off the dribble early in the shot clock (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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