Everything you need to know about the Boston Celtics 113-111 win over the Toronto Raptors with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
The ball moved better: ... and the Celtics shot better because of it. Jayson Tatum wasn’t scoring early but he was slinging dimes. Then Marcus Smart went on a drive-and-kick binge. The result was 29 assists on 48 made field goals. Offensively, the Celtics were able to capitalize on mismatches, cut well, and make the right passes. It was a nice step forward from the first game.
“It was great. We really stressed that in the first quarter,” Ime Udoka said. “I think we had eight assists on 10 field goals so we started off doing it well, continued throughout the game. Other than some turnovers that got them back in the game we were doing a great job moving the ball, got a lot of open looks, and that’s what we’ve been emphasizing from Day One.”
The turnovers were an issue though: 24 turnovers leading to 37 Raptors points is a level of sloppiness that is a little too much, even for a preseason game.
“We did get in a hurry at times, especially in that second quarter when we let them back in,” Udoka said. “As much as we’re emphasizing passing the ball, we still want to take care of it and that’s what really got them back in the game in that 43-point quarter. Other than that we were great. 16, 27 and 25 in the other quarters.
“Two games in a row we’ve been a little sloppy now but we’re happy with the effort and what they’re trying to do. It’s just a matter of execution now. That’s something I’ve preached from Day One, effort and execution, so we can clean those up, get more looks. Obviously we’re scoring enough. It’s just taking care of the ball now.”
Minutes crunch in the future?: Romeo Langford and Grant Williams were, in my early estimation, fringe rotation players who were more on the outside looking in. Langford getting the start in Jaylen Brown’s place and making the most of it raises the interesting possibility of him playing his way into more minutes. The same goes for Williams, who got a lot of run with the regulars, cut well, finished plays, and played pretty good defense.
I don’t know if this is enough to muscle past anyone on the depth chart, but it’s something to keep an eye on after today.
TURNING POINT
The Celtics opened up the fourth quarter on a 14-2 run to retake the lead.
FIVE UP
Jayson Tatum: He wasn’t hitting shots early but he was moving the ball and getting assists, so it felt like he was in the flow of the offense. He was 0-3 in the first quarter but he had 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal. He was 6-12 from the field the rest of the way to finish with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in 28 minutes.
Marcus Smart: He was much better leading the team in this game, playing more under control and adjusting to the Raptors defense to drop 5 assists in the third quarter.
“He quickly realized that if he puts pressure on the rim, the way that they were playing, the defense was collapsing,” Al Horford said. “So it was opening up shots for all of us. So he did a really good job of recognizing that.”
Romeo Langford: He slid nicely into the starting lineup for Jaylen Brown, who will miss both of next week’s games as well. Langford only missed once, cashing in on spot-up 3-pointers when defenses collapsed on Smart and Tatum.
“My confidence is high right now,” Langford said after the game. “I put so much work in since day one and now my workouts isn't necessary about the shot itself, it’s just about getting reps in and then doing the things during the workouts and translating them to the game. Like tonight, just getting my confidence by just shooting and getting reps in. It just feels good.”
Grant Williams: He scored 12 points on 50% shooting off the bench, including a couple of 3’s. He also did a nice job cutting and putting himself in position to score.
an easy two 🔨 pic.twitter.com/NxiWNtp3l4
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 9, 2021
“He's shooting the ball right now with a lot of confidence,” Horford said. “The other part of his game is continuing to find ways of cutting and moving to impact the game and he did a good job of that tonight.”
Al Horford: As you’ll see in the top play, Horford is still looking spry. More importantly, he hit all four of his 3-point attempts. While the ball going in or not doesn’t necessarily matter too much in the preseason, Horford’s shooting will be very important for Boston this season. Watching the shots fall is a nice reminder that the ability to do that still exists.
ONE DOWN
Robert Williams: Another quiet night for him on offense. No shots and his only points came on a couple of made free throws. His defense was okay, but it just feels like he’s the player on the roster who will need the most time to adjust to Udoka.
TOP PLAY
Al Horford is looking like he's in mid-season form already after this block and dunk 🏀☘️ pic.twitter.com/iLvpBzuP85
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 10, 2021
ONE TAKE KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
This game makes me more confident in the Celtics offense: It’s not that the shots went in or that they beat a Raptors team that might not end up being very good, it’s that they adjusted where they needed to adjust and showed progress.
They didn’t rush nearly as much as they did in the first game. They took advantage of the mismatches they created with solid ball movement and cutting.
“Tonight, as in the last two days of practice after the Orlando game, the ball has been moving great,” Udoka said. “Guys are finding their spots and starting to learn each other and what we want from them."
They could have missed every shot and I still would have the same feeling. It might take a little while, but I think this will be an offense that surpasses expectations.