GAME 5: Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics 09/07/20 6:30 PM ET TSN

[007]

Well, well, well, what do we have here? It seems we've got ourselves a series ladies and gents, one where the Raptors now have the momentum after a grind-it-out 100-93 victory last night. The Celtics are on their heels, and it's time to put our claws on their little leprechaun throats.

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KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Positive Regression? - The Raptors' three-point percentage has steadily climbed the last few games, and they shot 39% from deep last night, hitting 17 threes. Meanwhile, the Celtics shot a putrid 20% from outside, hitting just 7. The team that has shot better from deep has won every game, so that's obviously a major key for Game 5

2. Defend Smart - Marcus Smart averaged 20 points on 50% shooting in the two Celtics wins, and 9.5 points on 26% shooting in the two Raptors wins. Taking away that tertiary scoring source puts a lot more pressure on Tatum, Walker and Brown, and compresses the Celtics offence further. Let's see if they can keep it up

3. The Seven - Aside from a Matt Thomas cameo in the 2nd, Nurse limited the rotation to - fittingly - the seven guys who were the core of last year's team. Lowry, Siakam and VanVleet all played 43+ minutes including the entire second half, and you'd have to think that's what we'll see tomorrow. Let's hope the championship mentality powers through potential fatigue


LET'S GO RAPS!!!

[inthepaint]

Gotta be really, really careful not to "exhale" on this one. Celtshits are sure gonna come out guns blazing, and we better match that right out of the gates.

Need to go hard with paint touches often and early, and don't settle for jumpshots, unless they're good quality looks within the motion of the offence

[TrueTorontoFan]

Gotta be really, really careful not to "exhale" on this one. Celtshits are sure gonna come out guns blazing, and we better match that right out of the gates.

Need to go hard with paint touches often and early, and don't settle for jumpshots, unless they're good quality looks within the motion of the offence

No from here you go for the kill shot but again I think the last two games showed a MASSIVE momentum swing. The Celtics will come out swinging but if we can withstand it ... then i dont see why we cant win this game.. if we win this game... then you all know what II am thinking

[Gonzz]

After going 1 game to 2 to Boston, 538 had us at 12% chance at the series. At 2 to 2 our chances increased to38%. If they changed their method to last years ELO rating which gives more weight to playoff experience our rating goes to 30% to win it all.
The “Raptor “rating which is what they call it this year had Sixers as one of the top teams all year. How did that work out?

[DogeLover1234]

Gotta be really, really careful not to "exhale" on this one. Celtshits are sure gonna come out guns blazing, and we better match that right out of the gates.

Need to go hard with paint touches often and early, and don't settle for jumpshots, unless they're good quality looks within the motion of the offence

Agree, use this as the game to break the Celtics. Cant give them anything

[golden]

[G__Deane]

Back from the cottage (huge wind storm supposed to be coming in tonight with up to 3 metre waves on the big water).
Can't wait for this one on a holiday to boot

[DanH]

Shots are gonna fall for the Celtics again (although, unlike the Raptors early series struggles, a good bit of Boston’s issues really were because of the insane job the Raptors did challenging their three point shots in game 4) so we have to tighten up that interior D again.

If the shots keep falling for us (or, geez, imagine Pascal finds his shot?) and the defence holds in the current range for the series, could be a laugher. But there is definitely a chance we go cold again, or Boston catches fire. Gotta come out, hit them hard, see if they crack. It being a tie after them having the two game lead can’t be good for their psyche.

Have to find a little more rest for the starters too. Please, Nick, play TD, Serge and Norm with two starters at a time to buy rest for the other two (Gasol being the obvious exception who won’t play with the bench). That should bring them all back to about 40 minutes, which is pretty manageable, even if we only get 16 minutes from the bench guys (Serge will end up closer to 20-22).

[G__Deane]

lakers/Houston game they're talking up Lowry (taking charges)

[MixxAOR]

got our homecourt advantage back for what it's worth! Let's go Raps!!

[golden]

Playoff Rondo showed up tonight for the Lakers. Really makes a big difference running the bench unit.

[Tmac2darak]

Refs better start consistently making calls on Tayum and Smart

[G__Deane]

Refs better start consistently making calls on Tayum and Smart

I wouldn't count on it.
NBA wants Boston, Miami, Bucks and Raptors to come out of the East and in that order.
Actually, any of the top 3 ....

[MixxAOR]

[bertarapsfan]

Bond Posters, Churchill quotes, kermet meme, barkley meme.
We got a hell of a good superstition going on right now.
Lets go Raps!! Step on there throats