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The Celtics smoked the Toronto Raptors 117-94 Saturday evening, and it was as informal a win as I can bear in mind. On the second evening of a back-to-back, the Celtics got here out swinging, marshalling the complete complement of their forces towards a Raptors workforce that I wasn’t full positive had any concept what they have been doing.
However that doesn’t imply we are able to’t have any enjoyable, particularly since this was my first recreation in particular person this 12 months. I posted up within the again row of bleacher part 330, and Saturday evening’s win was as straightforward as a Sunday morning. And for these of you conserving rating at residence, that is additionally my first time writing our 10 Takeaways, pinch-hitting in for the venerable Adam Taylor. Unceremonious wins can nonetheless be a celebration, so somebody go get some paper plates and streamers. I’ll get the occasion hats.
#1 Shaking off sluggish begins
Simply because the Raptors have been on the street didn’t imply they’d routinely come out sleepy. Coming off a recreation the evening earlier than, the Celtics have been those who got here out a bit sluggish, falling down 12-6 in extraordinarily uninspiring vogue. My buddy even accused me of not cheering arduous sufficient, to which I took nice offense.
The early run was fueled by (brace your self) Jakob Poeltl dribble drives. Kristaps Porzingis struggled mightily at stepping up on Poeltl if he received a head of steam, even snagging a defensive three-second violation when he tried to overcorrect.
However then the Raptors simply… stopped doing it. I’d like to say the Celtics made some kind of genius defensive adjustment, however the Raptors should have realized that it was going to be an extended evening if Poeltl was initiating all of their offense, and tried to get one thing else going. However they might get completely nothing else going, and the Celtics pounced.
#2 Jayson Tatum wins the sport within the first quarter
Okay, possibly not fairly so dramatic, however Tatum hit a few free throws within the remaining minute of the primary quarter to make it 28-26 that claimed the lead for good. Regardless of barely scoring earlier than this, Tatum grabbed a shovel and commenced furiously digging a gap subsequent to the Raptors bench.
His reverse layup began a 14-0 run into the second quarter that noticed the remainder of the workforce shove completely different Raptors gamers into that gap. It was a rocky begin, however as soon as it was 40-26, the vibe within the stadium was utterly safe.
That run additionally—one way or the other—satisfied the Raptors that that they had no probability of profitable the sport. You might really feel the air exit of the Raptors recreation as quickly as they fell down 14, and it was fairly clear that everybody aside from Dennis Schroeder misplaced all perception in victory.
I really like Dennis the Menace as a lot as the subsequent man, however the remainder of the workforce simply misplaced their moxie.
#3 Somebody jacked up the TD Backyard presentation finances
When have been you guys going to inform me in regards to the two big light-up shamrocks that shoot FIRE throughout pregame? Once they wheeled these issues out, I used to be past confused, however man was I shocked when the pyrotechnics bundle began rolling.
Additionally, the PA announcer’s “FOR THREEEEE” playbook has expanded to doubtlessly unsustainable ranges. For these unaware, each time a participant whose second preliminary ends with the “-ee” sound, the world announcer will say their initials adopted by “FOR THREEEEE.” An instance can be a Jayson Tatum three-pointer, saying “JT FOR THREEEEE.”
However the variety of gamers now eligible for that is approaching vital mass. We now have JT, JB, and KP eligible for “FOR THREEEE” honors, and relying on how risqué the Backyard desires to get, we might doubtlessly embody Payton Pritchard. Why don’t we simply go all out? Oshae Brissett? OB. Dalano Banton. DB. That could possibly be six total individuals.
#4 The hazards of vibing too arduous
Considered one of my first takeaways from the in-person expertise was that Scottie Barnes is a ball of full happiness pre-game. He was smiling the entire time, operating round to teammates and trying a number of between-the-legs dunks. It was fairly electrical.
However I believe the vibes might have been somewhat too good, as a result of Barnes asserted his will a grand whole of zero occasions, resorting to tug up threes and mid-ranges regardless of his distinctive bodily body and wingspan.
And it wasn’t simply Barnes. The vibes flipped fairly quickly throughout the board as soon as the Raptors misplaced the lead. The Celtics took whole management of the sport within the second and third quarters, nevertheless it wasn’t like they needed to deliver a crowbar. As soon as the C’s ripped off 14 straight, the Raptors began standing round like they have been watching their automotive get towed.
Truthfully, the Celtics did precisely what I do know they’re able to doing: dispatching of a discombobulated workforce with out a lot stress for these within the constructing. However I left with extra questions in regards to the Raptors than I had getting into.
#5 What even are the Raptors?
Loads of groups—the Celtics included—battle to nail down an identification. However there’s not figuring out your identification… after which there’s regardless of the heck the Raptors are doing.
What on earth even is that this workforce? Their three greatest gamers—Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes—-all principally do the identical factor, and none of them appeared notably inquisitive about asserting themselves. Tall, lengthy wings are good if they really use that size, however all three of them simply stood round, hoping the opposite two would decide up the slack.
I’m solely going to say this as soon as, however this workforce completely has to blow it up and rebuild round Barnes. Positive, this workforce is gifted sufficient to make a Play-In recreation, however I guarantee you they’re going nowhere quick with this core.
#6 The glory of the Jrue Vacation-Kristaps Porzingis pick-and-roll
Oh yeah.
Porzingis is a colossal human being, and Vacation is likely one of the smartest gamers within the NBA. Within the third quarter, the Celtics ran a number of clear-outs to isolate the 2 on a wing, however this time the 2 received it getting into transition. Good luck stopping that.
Keep in mind when the Damian Lillard commerce occurred? The NBA media couldn’t get sufficient of the theoretical greatness of the Dame-Giannis pick-and-roll. Properly, the Bucks can have their enjoyable (together with their 5-4 report), as a result of we’ve got our personal one-two uppercut.
#7 Payton Pritchard timeout dribble clinic
One of many different stuff you solely get to see in particular person, however Pritchard likes to placed on somewhat dribble present throughout timeouts whereas the workforce is speaking. He was doing this super-tight-dribble in-and-out between-the-legs factor throughout one timeout, and it simply makes you marvel on the expertise of NBA gamers. I couldn’t dream of doing that, and Pritchard is the Celtics’ seventh man.
Throughout one other timeout, Pritchard was placing collectively between-the-legs and behind-the-back combos prefer it was his job. He was so dedicated to the grind that when Assistant Coach Tony Dobbins walked as much as him, presumably to speak about… the sport, Pritchard continued dribbling completely behind his again, as Dobbins was crowding the house in entrance of him.
I simply hope he’s not lacking something vital.
#8 Hauser continues to snipe
Lots was fabricated from Pritchard’s potential upside this season, however I believe Sam Hauser may simply be what followers have been searching for off the bench. Saturday evening, Hauser hit his first three triples, going 4-6 in whole for a crisp 12 factors. Good work.
Regardless of a lot speak in regards to the lack of bench manufacturing early on, Hauser has quietly put collectively a wonderful season from past the arc. He’s no civ on protection both, however past all of that, he has been hitting threes at an unbelievable 45 % clip.
The Celtics appear to be utilizing him as Tatum’s first sub someday within the first quarter, and has scored 10+ in 5 of his final six video games. That’s what I’m speaking about. You possibly can by no means have sufficient dudes who can hit a 3 in a pinch, and Hauser will probably be a licensed asset if he can keep scorching.
#9 JT-JB Lob Metropolis
I imply, come on man. It’s sufficient to make a grown man cry.
I don’t have any evaluation to share about this play, besides that each time Tatum and Brown throw lobs to one another I freak out, earlier than shedding a single, reflective tear.
Performs like this make me notice how vital these two guys are to me. It’s one of many few homegrown duos within the NBA, and I need nothing greater than to see these guys develop previous collectively. For a very long time, the Celtics tried to construct a workforce with Tatum and Brown as a part of the system.
It’s been an extended street, nevertheless it’s fairly clear they’re the system. The season may have loads of ups and downs, however each time it will get unhealthy, bear in mind how superior a JT-JB lob is.
#10 Stringing wins collectively
Basketball is about doing two issues in a row. If you may get two stops, nice protection. Two buckets, you’re beginning a run. Two good quarters is a strong half, and two good halves is a gained recreation.
There’s a motive we measure success in sports activities by whether or not or not a workforce is above or beneath .500. Any workforce can win each different recreation, but when the Celtics need to separate themselves from the pack, they’ll have to have the ability to string wins collectively and create a cushion towards calamity.
A back-to-back is rarely enjoyable for the gamers, however displaying up and caring for enterprise twice in two days is the way it’s accomplished. Until the Celtics plan to be the general one-seed within the league, the playoffs will actually require profitable a number of video games in a row. So it’s good to get observe now.
Placing it on cruise management is good, and the Celtics managed to go full self-driving mode the final two days. (Fist pump)
#11 (Bonus) Go see a recreation in particular person
In case you are ready, I implore you to go see a recreation at TD Backyard this 12 months. It simply rocks. Yeah, that’s all I’ve to say about that. Everybody have a stunning remainder of your Sunday.
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