The Boston Celtics continue their domination in the bubble and remain undefeated in the 2020 NBA postseason. They have now made it two wins out of two against the defending champions in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
Raptors gave everything in Game 2, but ultimately still came up short and was unable to even the series up at 1-1. Instead, they lost the game 102-99 and now find themselves down 2-0 to a Celtics squad that seems to be coming together on both ends of the floor.
Jayson Tatum has been very impressive for the Celtics in the postseason and led the way with 34 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Marcus Smart added 19 points for Boston, including 16 in the final frame to help propel Boston to a win.
OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet combined for 39 points for the defending-champion Raptors, but their production was not enough. They would hope to pull a comeback in the series, which would be a very difficult task but not an impossible one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSGG4MNYSwc
The Raptors just last year fell behind 2-0 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals, but went on to win four straight games and clinch a spot in the Finals. The Raptors will have to hope that they can pull a repeat performance this year, even though they no longer have the services of reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
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Marcus Smart shines in the fourth quarter
Celtics guard Marcus Smart, who had just three points heading into the fourth quarter of action in Game 2, went absolutely off in the fourth. He threw down big 3-pointer after big 3-pointer for the Celtics and was also pivotal for the team on the defensive end.
In all, Smart hit five 3-pointers and scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to help spur Boston to a win.
Smart’s production was a big plus for Boston, seeing that Kemba Walker had an off night and finished just 6-of-18 from the field. Smart might not be expected to hit six 3-pointers a game moving forward, but if he can provide consistent complementary production, especially in the absence of Gordon Hayward, it will make Boston that much tougher to beat.
Toronto needs Siakam to man up
Pascal Siakam, after an impressive outing alongside Kawhi Leonard in their run to champions of the NBA last season, stepped into the role of go-to guy for the Raptors after Kawhi left.
Siakam averaged career highs across the board and blossomed into an All-Star in Leonard’s absence, but All-Stars are expected to step up for their team in the postseason, and Siakam hasn’t done that in this series so far.
In Game 1, for the sort of player he’s become, he only managed 13 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the floor, and his output in Game 2 wasn’t much better.
On Tuesday night he had 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting and over the first two games, Siakam has gone just 1-of-7 from long range, and he has only gotten to the lane eight total times.
Often, when a player is struggling from the floor, he will look to attack the basket in order to draw some fouls and get himself going from the line. Siakam hasn’t done that either.
Moving forward, Toronto will need him to be more aggressive, and productive, if they are to stand a chance in the series.
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