December 6, 2007
Raps vs. 2007-2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics Preview (Game 2)
Jay wrote this today:
Well, the last time (which was the first time) the Raptors faced the Celtics, we thought the Raps could take them and take them they almost did, going into overtime before eventually losing. This time, I’m not so confident considering the health of the team.
I would hope that Bosh would be ready to make an appearance in this game, but then you have to wonder if this is the game you really want to try to bring him back in. Groin pulls are serious things, you really have to be careful with them or else they can turn into one of those injuries that just stays with a player the whole season. The last thing you want is Bosh trying to stop Kevin Garnett and end up on the floor in pain.
You could say that the Celtics are 9-0 at home and are due for a loss. You could also say that the Celtics are 5-0 in divisional play and are due for a loss. You could point out that they have won 4 in a row and are due for a loss. You coudl also point out that when an opposing team scores 100+ points, this Celtics team is .500! Well, there you go! THAT’S something to gear up for (let’s just conveniently forget that when the Raptors give up more than 100, they’re 2-7…and let’s also forget that the Raptors are due for one of their “Hey, let’s get our asses kicked tonight” games).
But it shouldn’t be all doom and gloom for the Raptors. I don’t know how much it will happen, but RF readers know that I like when Sam rolls out TJ and Jose at the same time. I think it is more of a last ditch attempt at generating some sort of a spark (as was the case against the Suns Wednesday night), but I just like the energy it brings to the floor.
The key for the Raptors will be to keep this as close as possible going into the half. When the Raptors are up at halftime, they are 9-3. That’s significant. What’s even more significant is that when they are behind at the half, they are 1-6, yep, ONE AND SIX. In addition to that let’s remember that if the Raptors are behind at the half, they will be relying on Sam Mitchell to draw something up at various key points in the second half and I think we all know what the result is there. Said it a million times, ROACHES WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON. Sam might even say that in the huddle now. “Okay guys, let’s run the Roaches When The Lights Come On play…and um…we just didn’t make shots? Where’s Feschuk when I need him?” I don’t think I need to mention (but I will) that when the Raptors are behind after 3, they’re 0-7.
It might sound ridiculous, but for the Raptors, this game might just come down to rebounding. Problem #1 for the Raptors, they aren’t a good rebounding team. Problem #2 for the Raptors, they Celtics are the best in the league at limiting the other teams’ rebounds. Since that is the case, outside of the game coming down to rebounding, the Raptors are going to be jacking’em up. They just aren’t healthy enough to be doing anything inside, so it will be Kapono and Delfino looking to shake it up from beyond the arc. Also, TJ owns Rondo, so while many of you will cringe when you hear this, the Raptors will need TJ to be in attack mode.
Enjoy the game.
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December 11th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Just hope TJ is ok…