Take it out on Game 1, not Game 2

Let’s not mince words or bury the lead here.

Marcus Smart turned into a human microwave and turned what was a pretty comfy Raptors lead in the 4th quarter to a deficit in 5 possessions. Five.

There are plenty of reasons to be exasperated about Game 2. Overall, the Celtics shot-making was incredible. Credit Boston for having good shooters and shot-makers and for coming through when it mattered most. But it’s important to recognize that the Raptors played defense in ways they usually prefer - by loading up on good shooters and sagging off bad ones. In this example, Marcus Smart, historically, has been among Boston’s weakest three-point threats. Essentially, the Raptors got the outcome they wanted. Moreover, they baited Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum (which was overturned on an offensive foul) into difficult mid-range shots. Sometimes you just tip your cap. Good offense beat good defense today. It happens. It’s rare that Smart turns into the Human Torch, but this is an outcome THAT CAN HAPPEN.

What CAN’T happen — and unfortunately did — was the Raptors abysmal and non-existent effort in Game 1.

As a team, they are now down 2–0 to a team that was Top-5 in season-long offensive and defensive rating. The hill to climb back is enormous; not impossible, but surely difficult.

As FANS, we are perhaps now robbed of a series that should have gone 7. Game 2 is how Game 1 should have played out: two teams, evenly matched, vying for a spot in the Conference Finals. What we got instead was one team that was ready for the moment, and one was not.

There’s no reason to litigate Game 1 here (and if you missed it, you can check out Peter’s recap here). It, however, remains inexcusable to come out like that against a Top-4 Eastern Conference team that BLEW THE DOORS off the Raptors earlier in the bubble.

So, don’t look to Game 2 for foundational faults, or as the primary reason why the series seems as bleak as it does now. Look to Game 1.

Until next time…

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