Celtics game 1 preview/takes for the Toronto Raptors series

 

                                                                                                               Photo credit: Raptors Republic 

 We are now only one day away from the first game of the second round. The Boston Celtics are coming off of a four game sweep against the Philadelphia 76ers, Philly played without all star point-forward, Ben Simmons. The Raptors are coming off of a four game sweep of their own, making a mockery out of a depleted Brooklyn Nets, who played without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan. Regardless of round one matchups, Toronto and Boston both have key players injured in, Gordon Hayward and Kyle Lowry. Unlike Toronto, Boston knows the timetable that Gordon is on to return, Lowry suffered a foot injury in the last game of their first round, he hasn’t practiced since. With questions looming around Kyle Lowrys availability for game one and the series, let’s take a look at some key takeaways that need to happen in order for the Boston Celtics to not only take game one, but the entire series. Let’s take a look at specific keys to coming out with the win tomorrow. 

 

First take: Kemba Walker has to deliver

 With Kyle Lowrys availability in the air and the absence of Gordon, no Celtic player besides Jayson Tatum has more offensive burden than Walker. Even if Lowry plays the entire series, Kemba has to come up big for the Cs to win. Tatum and Brown will get most of the attention from Toronto’s defense and will be played by their two best defenders in, Pascal Siakam And Og Anunoby. This leaves Kemba Walker to have more freedom to create and do what he does best, keep defenses guessing, knocking down off the dribble threes and creating for his teammates. Kemba is more than capable of this type of offense, the four time all star is coming off of a series with Philadelphia where he average 24.5 ppg but shooting less than 30% from three, hell need to be consistent with his three ball to really create separation in the series. Kemba just got his first playoff series victory against Philadelphia,. That made it a patient nine years for Kemba, look for him to play his way to his second!  

Second Take: The bench needs to deliver 

 Gordon Hayward’s injury, instantly put pressure on the Celtic bench to perform. The Cs leaned on Gordon to create his own offense, attack the rim to create for himself and find open teammates. Hayward a Swiss Army knife who doesn’t have one particular dominant skill but is above average at multiple things on both sides of the floor. Brad Wanamaker and Marcus Smart will be two guys Brad Stevens will lean on when the second unit is on the court. Knowing Brad, Wanamaker will be the guy who sees his minutes increase the most due to Gordon out and Marcus Smart now replacing him in the starting lineup. The Cs will need a steady Brad Wanamaker who can keep the game steady and not let things get out of hand when the starters are resting. Wanamaker had a 10/4 assist to turnover ratio against Philly, while finishing a plus 26 in all four games combined. If Brad can get the same production or even more out of Wanamaker, look for him to be on the court a lot during crucial moments. As far as other guys off the bench, the two rookies, Grant Williams and Romeo Langford, although I believe Brad will give them a chance I do not see Romeo having such an impact for the series to really be effected. Grant Williams has the potential to be out on the floor in a small ball, death lineup, where he is at the five. Grant shot the ball well and played key minutes against Philadelphia, if he can continue to play like that against Toronto, that could make or break the series. 

Final take: Daniel Theis’ three point shooting

15% from three just will not cut it, that’s the percentage Theis shot the three ball in the combined four games. Theis first game, 1-5 from three, second and third game shot 0% and missed on his 5 attempts. Theis last game to close out the series was his best shooting game, he shot 2 for 5 (40%).  During the series Embiid gave Theis more room than defenses gave Rajon Rondo when he was in a Celtic uniform, and that’s saying something! The fact Embiid was able to leave Theis out at the three will be even more of an issue if Theis has the same shooting struggles. Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka are both elite rim protectors and defenders, if Theis can’t hit the occasional open three, that leaves the big men of Toronto having more time and ability protecting the paint. If Daniel continues to shoot a low percentage from three look for Gasol and Ibaka to sag off and clog the paint, leaving it that much harder to score on a great defensive minded Toronto team. If Theis doesn’t keep the big men honest, it will make life A LOT harder for the Celtics to surpass Toronto, into the third round.