GAME 4: Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics 09/05/20 6:30 PM ET SN

[S.R.]

It's incredible watching the Raptors using different types of zones in the same game. There are definitely possessions where it doesn't end well but having to constantly adjust to a shifting defense must really piss off the other team

One of the triangle + 2 possessions, Norm was draped all over Tatum 30 feet away from the ball and Tatum was pissed, slapping at his arms.

[DanH]

Yeah the defence was awesome in this one after a slow start on that end.

Shots are starting to fall. Still Raps shot barely above their average thanks to Pascal taking so many threes. I don’t mind the step back from him late in the clock, or the catch and shoot anytime he is open. But too many step backs early in the clock.

Serge going nuts from 3 saved the bench looks. No idea why we are trying Matt Thomas over TD. Unsurprised to see we shortened to 7 in the second half. Good management of the C minutes late, with Gasol in foul trouble. Got him back in for the key stretch in the last 5 minutes, eventually had to sub Serge back in but not until very late, Raps were in a good spot (until they immediately gave up an offensive board on a FTA and made it closer than it should have been).

OG has really been awesome on both ends, the defence unspeakably good and significant small contributions on offence with big boards, nice drives to set up scores, and making his threes. Lowry is amazing, what do you even say at this point. Fred finally shooting well, needs a little better decision making on the drives, but he can’t abandon it completely or let the defence off the hook, so more like finding a balance. Gasol is a rock, the backbone of all our successful looks. Pascal, outside of the threes, finally unlocking his inside game in the second half is crucial. Thought his defence was still occasionally brilliant but overall took a step back in this one, little sloppy here and there, but good enough.

[saints91]

Thomas played well, in a short spurt. Any rest you can give the starters without going in the whole a ton is a good thing. TD can be erratic at times, Thomas played within the game. No issues tonight with that substitution.

[slaw]

Our defence is getting better and better. These guys are learning how to disrupt them more and more every game. Love it.

Trend from last year. Every game Raps tighten the screws on defense and take something else away. Just need to keep their heads on offence and not settle for threes.

Celtics looked frazzled for the first time in the series: Smart running around trying to hurt people, Tatum flailing about, Brown was out of control all game trying to make up for his mistake in game 3, Kemba forced some bad plays.

[golden]

I just have this feeling about Brown tonight.

T-Rex fearless predictions are still undefeated.

What can Brown do for you? 4-18.

[golden]

One of the triangle + 2 possessions, Norm was draped all over Tatum 30 feet away from the ball and Tatum was pissed, slapping at his arms.

It’s amazing how we casually talk about triangle & 2 like it’s a normal NBA defense now. Lol.

[slaw]

T-Rex fearless predictions are still undefeated.

What can Brown do for you? 4-18.

TRex is the only person who had a worse night than Brown.

[S.R.]

It’s amazing how we casually talk about triangle & 2 like it’s a normal NBA defense now. Lol.

I don't think I've ever seen a coach force the commentary to recognize the x's and o's of his coaching quite like Nurse. I mean D'Antoni and Phil etc get their systems talked about, but the normalcy now of how everyone has to talk about Nurse and the Raptors - box and one, triangle and two, 1-2-2 press, a Hubie Brown DVD inbounds play... When do you get this?

[KHD]

good win. don't need to see pascal taking 13 threes ever again. marcus smart is a shitpile human

[MixxAOR]

proud of Fred for not entertaining that shit

[MixxAOR]

Stan Van Gundy was actually annoyed with Smart and his flopping lmao

[inthepaint]

TRex is the only person who had a worse night than Brown.

T-Rex fearless predictions are still undefeated.

What can Brown do for you? 4-18.

Remember "This has sweep written all over it" ?

[bertarapsfan]

TRex is the only person who had a worse night than Brown.

Jokic putting up 26 and 17 against the title favorite only throw salt in the wound too

[inthepaint]

After this game, Serge is now the 3rd most accurate 3 point shooter in the playoffs with 4 attempts per game or higher at 54.5%.

There are 70 players currently averaging 4 3PA's or higher in the playoffs. Out of the gunners on this list, Serge now has:

--The highest overall FG%, at 58.1% (Lebron James is currently 2nd at 57.9%)
--The 7th highest blocks per game (top 3 are Covington, Lopez and Embiid)
--The 7th highest offensive rebounds per game (top 3 are Giannis, Embiid and Kawhi)

He also hasn't missed a single free throw in the playoffs.

[iblastoff]

kinda hilarious that gasol fouled out and literally nobody cared. he actually looked like he was relieved to be fouled out lol