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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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Game Observations

Brad Stevens elected to sit Hayward to start the second half and also inserted Marcus Smart in place of Jaylen Brown early in the third quarter.

Kawhi Leonard was work himself into a rhythm during this period and it seemed to have taken Brown out of rhythm. It appears to be that Brown will be the one to sacrifice the most offensively with the Celtics depth, but Stevens and the Celtics themselves have to do a better job making sure the wealth is shared amongst themselves.

Gordon Hayward looks like he’s slowly gaining his confidence back, especially from mid-range. Hayward had a very nice stretch in the second half including this and-one on a crossover on Siakam.

The Celtics’ B.W.A. (Bench with Attitude) seemed to be M.I.A. tonight against Toronto, as they were outscored, 28-23. The group was inefficient tonight against a tough Toronto Raptors team. Marcus Smart shot 1-for-6 and fell short of his usual impact on the defensive end and Terry Rozier shot an inefficient 2 for 7 from the field.

Daniel Theis received a DNP-Coach’s Decision tonight and it will be interesting to see if he regains his form from last year when he was beginning to show glimpses of a versatile stretch big who could defend the basket.

The Celtics Dismantling of the 76ers in Season Opener. dark. Next

The [1-1] Boston Celtics will look to bounce back tomorrow night on the road against the [1-1] New York Knicks at 7:30pm EST.

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