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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 17:07:41 GMT -5
TV: ESPN, NBCSB, TSN4/5 Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub, TSN Radio The Boston Celtics get their last chance at the top seed against the Toronto Raptors tonightThe Boston Celtics blew a great opportunity to control their own destiny for the number one seed last night. The Cleveland Cavaliers handled the Toronto Raptors with ease, and the Celtics fell just short of gaining a game on them against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics remain two games behind the Raptors, and the only reason they have any real chance at getting the top seed is because they play head to head tonight. It is unfortunate that the Celtics have to do it on a back to back, and they desperately need Terry Rozier to bring his energy back to the lineup. If the Celtics won last night, they could have taken over that top seed tonight, but now they have to save their last chance. With a win, the Celtics are one game behind, and you cannot rule catching the Raptors out. The Raptors really have not been playing well, especially in April, and there is a good chance they will drop another game. If the Celtics gain this game, then they both have to keep playing with meaning the rest of the way. If, however, the Raptors bounce back and get a victory, then the Celtics will be completely stuck into their position at the two seed. There certainly is not enough time to make up three games, so the Celtics know this is their last chance. The weird part is that neither of these teams really know if they are better off as the top seed. Obviously, you want to control what you can, and home court throughout is the only thing either team can claim with certainty. It is the position of the Cavaliers that makes this question so much more dynamic, because the top seed could have to play them in the Eastern Confernce Semi Finals, rather than the Finals. There is the logic behind the idea that you have to be able to beat them one way or another. The problem, however, is with the idea that you have to play both the Cavaliers, and one of the Celtics and Raptors, while the other will only have to prepare for one of the two. It gets even more complicated when you think about the first round matchups, especially for a Celtics team that is going to be missing Marcus Smart and Kyrie Irving for the first round. The point is that the playoff scenario is too complicated to know where a team is better off, so the mindset of the Celtics will have to be get that home court, so they can know they at least get that advantage over the Raptors if they play. The good news is that there could be some clarity after this one. A Raptors win will lock in those top two seeds, and give the first sign of clarity for matchups in the East. That being said, the Celtics always seem to create drama near the season end. They have a huge comeback to get the number one seed over the Cavaliers last year, and the Celtics have been playing better, despite so many Injuries, than the Raptors right now. On the other hand, the Raptors will remember the last time they played, and they do not want to go into the playoffs with two loses to a shorthanded Celtics team. hardwoodhoudini.com/2018/04/04/boston-celtics-vs-toronto-raptors-last-chance-at-top-seed/
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 17:25:52 GMT -5
Celtics visit the Raptors with first place in the East on the lineThe Celtics and Raptors meet for the final time in the regular season as both teams have their eyes on the first seed. By flceltsfan Probable Celtics Starters
PG: Terry Rozier SG: Jaylen Brown SF: Jayson Tatum PF: Al Horford C: Aron Baynes
Celtics Reserves Abdel Nader Semi Ojeleye Greg Monroe Guerschon Yabusele Jabari Bird Xavier Silas
Injuries Gordon Hayward (ankle) out Daniel Theis (knee) out Kyrie Irving (knee) out Marcus Smart (thumb) out Shane Larkin (illness) day to day Terry Rozier (ankle) day to day
Two Way Players Kadeem Allen Jabari Bird
Head Coach Brad Stevens
Probable Raptors Starters PG: Kyle Lowry SG: DeMar Derozan SF: OG Anunoby PF: Serge Ibaka C: Jonas Valanciunas
Raptors Reserves Nigel Hayes Alfonzo McKinnie CJ Miles Lucas Nogueira Jakob Poeltl Norman Powell Pascal Siakim Fred VanVleet Delon Wright Malachi Richardson
Injuries None listed
Two Way Players Lorenzo Brown Malcolm Miller
Head Coach Dwane Casey
Key MatchupsTerry Rozier
Terry Rozier Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
vs
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Lowry has given the Celtics problems in the past and so they need to pay particular attention to slowing him down. He is averaging 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.1 steals. He averaged 21.0 points in the three games against Boston so far this season. I’m thinking positive and hoping that Rozier will play in this one and that he was sitting out against the Bucks so that he would be ready for this game. Rozier will need to play Lowry tough on both ends of the court. Jaylen Brown Jaylen Brown Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports vs
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
DeRozan is the Raptors best player and he is averaging 23.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He is averaging 19.5 points per game in the three games against Boston so far this season. Jaylen will need to play lock down defense to keep DeMar from having a big game. Honorable Mention
Celtics Bench vs Raptors BenchThe Raptors’ bench leads the league with 45.1 points per game. They are at full strength and have played very strong this season. CJ Miles scored 20 points against the Celtics in their 2nd meeting but was held to just 3 points in Saturday’s game. The Celtics also held their bench to just 20 points in spite of having so many injuries to deplete their bench. The Celtics have to step up and play tough against the Raptors second unit once again if they hope to get a win in this game. www.celticsblog.com/2018/4/4/17200162/celtics-visit-the-raptors-with-first-place-in-the-east-on-the-line
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Post by puddin on Apr 4, 2018 17:43:43 GMT -5
Surely missed TRo last night against the Bucks. No hurry to get him back though. We need to be healthy going into the PO's. .... laying low like a ^^^^ Nothing else matters. Pud
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Post by sfbosfan on Apr 4, 2018 18:33:58 GMT -5
After game last night...you'd think they thrashed us...I read that the Bucks would like to play us in 1st round. Just with Rozier I believe we'd won. In post vs the Bucks Petey 62 said : "If Kyrie, Rozier, Smart and Larkin are available" we beat the Bucks.
I'll be so bold to say we sweep with these 4, but no Irving I am reading, so let's hope the other 3 are available and especially 2...Rozier & Smart and we win in 5 I think !!!
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:05:01 GMT -5
Having Rozier back helps, but I don't see us pulling off a "W" tonight. Unless we're lucky enough to have Toronto more tired then we are. Anyone know how Toronto has fared in back to backs this season?
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:05:43 GMT -5
Surely missed TRo last night against the Bucks. No hurry to get him back though. We need to be healthy going into the PO's. .... laying low like a ^^^^ Nothing else matters. Pud This was posted earlier ... but just now it's been announced that Terry will play/start!
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:15:32 GMT -5
Both teams struggling to find the net.
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:20:13 GMT -5
Tatum definitely NOT getting the respect Giannis did from the refs last night, on that dunk attempt.
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Post by cole on Apr 4, 2018 19:21:38 GMT -5
Valencunis never even touched the ball.
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:22:38 GMT -5
Having Rozier back helps, but I don't see us pulling off a "W" tonight. Unless we're lucky enough to have Toronto more tired then we are. Anyone know how Toronto has fared in back to backs this season?
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:23:45 GMT -5
Their bench is credited with success on B2Bs
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:24:09 GMT -5
Valanciunas having his way with Baynes.
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:24:40 GMT -5
Baynes shooting before he spots the rim. WTF...
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Post by cole on Apr 4, 2018 19:24:42 GMT -5
Man Rozier wants that ball!
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:25:09 GMT -5
Would love for Morris to have a game tonight.
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:25:11 GMT -5
BS, Brown was blocked by Lowry!
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:25:41 GMT -5
Poor call against Brown on the charge.
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Post by cole on Apr 4, 2018 19:25:49 GMT -5
Freaking ridiculous call on Brown
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:26:27 GMT -5
Mook!
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:26:48 GMT -5
Morris looking good so far.
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:28:58 GMT -5
Early peek at stats:
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:31:36 GMT -5
On the replay, I didn't see where Semi fouled DeRozen.
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:33:42 GMT -5
On the replay, I didn't see where Semi fouled DeRozen. trip out of view
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Post by Admin on Apr 4, 2018 19:34:56 GMT -5
how good is Monroe at the rim tonight?
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Post by drboogiebone on Apr 4, 2018 19:35:13 GMT -5
Low scoring 1st quarter.
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