Boston's depth might be better than we thought
Playing mostly second and third-unit players, the Celtics played more than well enough to win which is a key takeaway as they near the end of the regular season and look ahead to the playoffs.
TORONTO - The Boston Celtics ditched the whole “good try, good effort” days a long time ago. But when you look at the starting five they put on the floor that was minus four starters against the Toronto Raptors on Monday, the metrics for success had to be recalibrated.
Being competitive was just as valuable as being clutch down the stretch, with the outcome having little value if the effort was good.
And it was for most of the game, a game in which Boston played from ahead.
But the Raptors clawed back in the second half and made just enough plays in the overtime period to escape with a 115-112 win.
The loss snapped Boston’s six-game winning streak while providing a much-needed boost to Toronto’s hopes of avoiding being part of the play-in portion of the postseason next month.
Playing their first game without Robert Williams (torn meniscus, left knee), the Celtics were clearly not the same team defensively.
But the drop-off for Boston’s top-rated defense wasn’t nearly as steep as some might have anticipated, especially with Marcus Smart leading the way.
The usual strong defender and solid playmaker, had to call his own number offensively a lot more than usual.
In addition to being without Williams, the Celtics were also playing without starters Al Horford (personal reasons) as well as their top two scorers, Jayson Tatum (right patella tendinopathy) and Jaylen Brown (right knee tendinopathy)
Even with so many key players out for Boston, the Celtics gave the Raptors all they could handle.
No, Ime Udoka and the Celtics aren’t about moral victories or “good try, good effort” feel-good moments.
But considering how short-handed they were and gave the Raptors all they could handle, Boston returns home feeling about the play of their reserves who more than held their own against Toronto’s usual rotation players.
Here are the Stars, Studs and Duds in Boston’s loss at Toronto.
STARS
Pascal Siakam: There was only one player on the floor who knows what it’s like to be an All-Star, and when it mattered most Pascal Siakam played like one. He led all scorers with 40 points on 17-for-29 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 13 rebounds.
Marcus Smart: Trying to pick up the slack as the lone regular starter suited up, Smart came up big for Boston at both ends of the floor. He led all Celtics in scoring with 28 points to go with 10 rebounds and four assists. Smart also had eight rebounds. However, he only had four assists which looks even worse when you factor in he turned the ball over seven times.
STUDS
Sam Hauser: There may not have been any other Boston Celtic to benefit from having so many players out for Boston. Hauser came off the Celtics bench and showed why he’s one of the team’s best shooters, tallying a career-high 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field along with five rebounds.
Daniel Theis and Luke Kornet: With no Robert Williams III and no Al Horford, all eyes were on the center position. Theis and Kornet more than held their own, combining for 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Fred VanVleet: For most of Monday's game, Fred VanVleet was a total dud for Toronto. But in the fourth quarter, he got it going and in doing so, got the Raptors back into the game with a couple of well-timed 3-pointers in the fourth. He would finish the game with 14 points.
DUDS
Payton Pritchard: Celtics fans had to love how Payton Pritchard battled for rebounds (he grabbed eight), but they desperately needed his shot-making on Monday. It just wasn't there as Pritchard missed nine of his 12 shot attempts