The Celtics and Raptors are set to face off in the most anticipated series of the second round. We've broken down a number of matchups between both teams this week already but let's get a full tale of the tape below before going through some of the x-factors of the series
Schedule
Game 1 – Sunday, 1 p.m.
Game 2 – Tuesday, 3/5:30 p.m.
Game 3 – Thursday
Game 4 – Saturday
Game 5* – Monday, September 7
Game 6* – Wednesday, September 9
Game 7* – Friday, September 11
The Basics for Raptors
Pace: 102.9 (12th in NBA)
No. 13 offense: 110.7 points per 100 possessions
No. 2 defense: 104.7 points per 100 possessions
+6.1 net rating (4th)
Projected Raptors lineup
G: Kyle Lowry (questionable for Game 1 with an ankle injury)
G: Fred VanVleet
F: Pascal Siakam
F: OG Anunoby
C: Marc Gasol
Main bench rotation (These guys will play 20-30 minutes per game)
G/F: Norm Powell
F/C: Serge Ibaka
Fringe rotation (These guys may or may not play spot minutes on a nightly basis)
F: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
G: Matt Thomas/Terence Davis
Deep bench (Will only play in a blowout or if injuries hit)
C: Chris Boucher
SF: Stanley Johnson
SF: Malcolm Miller
G/F: Paul Watson
Projected Celtics starting lineup
G: Marcus Smart
G: Kemba Walker
F: Jaylen Brown
F: Jayson Tatum
C: Daniel Theis
Main bench rotation (10-20 minutes)
G: Brad Wanamaker
F/C: Grant Williams
Fringe bench rotation (These guys may or may not play spot minutes on a nightly basis)
C: Rob Williams
C: Enes Kanter
F: Romeo Langford
F: Semi Ojeleye
Deep bench (Will only play in a blowout or if injuries hit)
G: Carsen Edwards
C: Tacko Fall
G: Tremont Waters (out for Game 1)
Injury Report
Outside of Lowry, the only injury that impacts the Raptors rotation is to swingman Patrick McCaw. He left the Orlando bubble to receive treatment on a benign mass on his left knee. He was a fringe rotation player but he did have his best game of the season against the Celtics (18 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists) back in December as a big part of Toronto’s lone win during the season series against Boston.
The Celtics will be without Gordon Hayward (ankle) and Javonte Green (knee) for the series. Tremont Waters (sprained knee) was also listed as out for Game 1 but it was unlikely he would see action in this series, barring multiple injuries.
EIGHT AREAS TO WATCH
Brad Stevens vs. Nick Nurse: This is silently one of the biggest swing factors of this series. Outside of the 2018 second-round matchup against the Sixers, the Celtics have never won a playoff series as underdogs. That’s not a knock on Brad Stevens (he was heavily undermanned for most of the matchups he has lost) but it is a reality. The Celtics are underdogs heading into this series as underdogs largely due to the absence of Hayward in the starting lineup. Toronto does not have a decisive talent edge but they have the experience and continuity that will challenge the Celtics on a nightly basis. The lack of depth Stevens has at his disposal in this series will force him to make tough choices. How hard does he lean on Tatum/Brown/Walker for minutes at the risk of tiring both out against a frantic Toronto attack? Who can he trust off the bench? How many new wrinkles does he introduce to Boston's playbook? He had his way with Brett Brown in Round 1 but outcoaching the NBA’s reigning Coach of the Year is a far different task. The Celtics can’t afford to lose the coaching matchup if they want to win the series, so it’s on the head coach to push the right buttons in at least four of the next seven games.
Kemba Walker versus Toronto’s pick-and-roll defense: With the Raptors having a pair of highly capable wing defenders in Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby along with a defensive wizard in Kyle Lowry, life is going to get a lot tougher for Tatum and Brown in this series to score efficiently. That reality will put actions involving Walker at the forefront of Boston’s offensive sets in the halfcourt. The Raptors' bigs like to hang back in the pick-and-roll and that’s where Walker will be able to create havoc. If he starts hitting pull-up 3s, the Raptors will need to adjust by playing tighter at the 3-point line. If Toronto plays too tight with that look, the All-Star will have the ability to turn the corner and get to the rim against a slow-footed big like Marc Gasol or Serge Ibaka (faster than Gasol but a worse team defender). Both of these guys can’t stick with Walker off the dribble. Either way, Walker will have some kind of advantage if he gets into a rhythm and that will be the key to breaking down an otherwise elite Toronto defense.
Like this from Kemba and Boston. C's love to with a double P&R for Walker, Raptors actually switch the first screen so Siakam is on Kemba. Gasol is at the level lets Siakam slide and recover. Notice how Theis goes right into a re-screen to free Kemba up. pic.twitter.com/OBmRDTGhVY
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 8, 2020