Coming into this game, the Celtics were looking like one of the hottest and most exciting teams in the NBA. In fact, this week’s NBA Power Rankings had Boston at #5, only one spot lower than the Golden State Warriors(!). They were also sitting just one game behind Toronto and had a chance to close the gap in the Eastern Conference standings on Tuesday night. After an ugly and disappointing fourth quarter, the Celtics weren’t able to close out the Raptors, losing 114-106.
Heading into tonight, the Celtics had won 10 of their previous 12 twelves games and a trip to Toronto could prove as a decisive point in determining just how good this Boston team is.
The Celtics appeared sharp through the first half of the game and were able to head into the locker with a nine point lead, 55-46. Isaiah Thomas was looking like his usual, All-Star worthy self having scored 9 points and adding on 3 assists. After looking a stud in his previous game, Marcus Smart once again took on the role of replacing the injured Avery Bradley and by halftime had scored 14 points with 2 assists and 3 rebounds. In just about every aspect of the game, the Celtics looked as though they might just be able to take over the No. 2 spot in the East nearing the midway point of the season.
But then the second half rolled around. For whatever reason, the Celtics simply looked lost midway through the third. Having built a lead and then slowly but consistently losing it was probably the most discerning aspect of the Celtics second half performance. At one point during the third quarter, the Celtics built a lead of as much as 16 points. Then within the final six minutes of the third and fourth quarters, the Celtics were outscored 42-15.
That, in most respects, is a collapse.
Isaiah Thomas is clearly Boston’s finest offensive asset and he remained quiet throughout the fourth, which is usually where he orchestrates clutch shooting numbers. In their game on Saturday night against the Pelicans, the Celtics hit a franchise record 19 3-pointers. In a complete reversal of such precise shooting from deep, the Celtics went 9-27 making only 33.3% of 3-point attempts.
End game stats included Isaiah Thomas coming away with 27 points and Marcus Smart finished with 16. Gerald Green added another 14 points off the bench as well as 5 rebounds.
It was a disappointing end to the Celtics’ four-game winning streak and does not bode well if Boston hopes to have success in the postseason. ESPN’s BPI indicates there is currently a 42% chance these two teams will meet in the playoffs, and as of right now, the Raptors have Boston’s number.
The Celtics travel back to Boston and will face Washington tomorrow night with tip-off at 8PM ET.
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