BSJ Game Report: Raptors 96, Celtics 78 -- Worst offensive performance of year taken at BSJ Headquarters (Celtics)

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Celtics

BSJ Game Report: Raptors 96, Celtics 78 -- Worst offensive performance of year

By Brian Robb

Apr 5, 2018 • 1:01 am

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Everything you need to know about the Raptors’ 96-78 win over the Celtics in quickie form.

Box Score

HEADLINES

Worst offensive performance of the year: The undermanned Celtics had a little more help in the backcourt as Terry Rozier returned to the lineup after a one-game absence, but it didn’t matter against a motivated Raptors squad. Toronto fought back from an early six-point deficit and limited the Celtics to just 58 points over the final three quarters, allowing them to hold Boston to a season-low 78 points. A miserable shooting night (33 percent from field, 3-of-22 from 3-point range) combined with a horrific second quarter (nine turnovers and 13 total points) was too high of a mountain for the C’s to overcome in the second half. Marcus Morris had a game-high 21 points in the defeat, while Greg Monroe added 17 points off the bench.


Say goodbye to No. 1 seed: The Raptors did not officially clinch the top seed with the win, but they essentially wrap up the top seed by building a three-game lead in the standings with just four games to play. One more Toronto win or Celtics loss will clinch the No. 1 spot for the Raptors, while also locking the C’s into the No. 2 seed. That situation should ensure that the Celtics get their veterans plenty of rest in the remaining four games of the regular season.

TURNING POINT

The Raptors exploded with a 29-9 run over the first 10 minutes of the second quarter to seize control of the contest. Toronto’s second unit really upped the defensive pressure on Boston’s ballhandlers while Rozier rested during that stretch and it paid serious dividends as the Celtics coughed up nine turnovers in the frame. The Raptors ended up scoring 16 points off those miscues, enabling them to get some offensive rhythm going after an ugly first quarter (14 points).

ONE UP

Monroe: The veteran was the only player on the Celtic that could seem to put the ball in the basket during the first half. He scored 17 points off the bench in just 22 minutes, while tallying a season-high nine makes at the free throw line. He attacked the offensive glass hard with four offensive rebounds and multiple second-chance points and had some slick post moves against the Raptors’ reserves.




TWO DOWN


Terry Rozier:
The 24-year-old tried to gut it out after a one-game absence due to a sprained ankle. He looked like he was moving well enough to play but his rhythm wasn’t there all night long. He missed eight of his nine shots, and finished with just two points, snapping his double-digit point scoring streak at 25 games.  


3-point shooting:
The Celtics live and die with the 3-ball, so it came as no surprise that their worst offensive performance of the year came as they shot just 13 percent from 3-point range (3-of-22). Those three makes marked the first time in more than two years that the Celtics had made only three 3-point field goals in a game.


TOP PLAY




TWO TAKES B-ROBB WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER


The Raptors aren’t that scary of a team if the Celtics get healthy:
While the Raptors had some impressive performances off the bench (Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright), the Celtics really shot themselves in the foot for most of this game with their poor shooting and turnovers. If and when these two teams meet this postseason, it would be in the Eastern Conference Finals, which means Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart would be back on the floor for it. Even with home-court advantage on Toronto’s side, I think I like the C’s chances in that matchup. Boston’s biggest problem against the Raptors this year have been due to a lack of ballhandlers and that issue is addressed with Smart, Larkin and Irving back. The C’s match up pretty well here otherwise, all things considered.


Brad Stevens is going to have some tough rotation decision this postseason:
There are eight players that are guaranteed for regular minutes in the playoffs (starters, Monroe, Morris, Larkin) but the choices beyond that get tougher for the head coach. Either Semi Ojeleye or Abdel Nader will be the next man off the bench for a first round matchup, and neither player did much to improve their case for that spot on Wednesday night. Both players struggled defensively and with their shooting in the postseason tuneup. Ojeleye will have the inside track on minutes due to his defensive versatility, but the Celtics are going to need one of these guys to hold their own this postseason if they get thrown into the fold.

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