The Raptors have tried all sorts of tactics against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to hide their defensive weaknesses and force Celtics scorers into tough spots. There’s been a healthy mix of zone defenses as well as pre-switching from Nick Nurse, which allows for the Raptors to take a weaker defender out of a pick-and-roll defensive action while the screener is going over to set the pick.
The Celtics have done a nice job of finding good looks against the zone tactics as the series has progressed, but the same can’t be said for figuring out solutions to pre-switching ahead of Game 5. When the Celtics took their time getting into an offensive set, the Raptors had time to adjust and make tweaks, especially when they got their defense set off made baskets. For a team with good communication like Toronto, that opened the door for keeping Marc Gasol out of the actions against quicker players, letting him hang by the rim instead.
Raptors did a great job adjusting and keeping Gasol out of the main defensive action. Switching this Ram action and keeping him low. pic.twitter.com/tl00v2Y3MD
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) September 4, 2020