Celtics’ use of Tacko Fall on defense failed to pay off late in Game 3

Over the outstretched arms of Tacko Fall, Kyle Lowry delivered the game-winning assist to O.G. Anunoby as the Raptors won at the buzzer.

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With Game 3 tied up at 101 apiece, Kemba Walker delivered a beautiful behind-the-back no-look pass to Daniel Theis to give the Boston Celtics a two-point advantage with half of a second left in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Celtics appeared to be on their way to taking a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Toronto Raptors. Instead, O.G. Anunoby etched his name in the history books after hitting the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to give the Raptors the 104-103 victory.

To combat the play, Celtics head coach inserted 7-foot-5 rookie Tacko Fall into the game. Fall was tasked with guarding Kyle Lowry, the inbounder on the play. Given Fall has a 10-foot-2.5 standing reach, he was the perfect player to use but Lowry managed to get the ball over his arms.

Afterward, Lowry said to Rebecca Haarlow of TNT that the play was designed to go to Fred VanVleet or Pascal Siakam but knew he had to throw it to Anunoby once he saw him open. Lowry said he had to be patient to deliver the pass with a “7-foot-12 guy” guarding him.

Though Fall failed to block or deflect the pass by Lowry out of the timeout, his mere presence made it that much tougher to make the pass to Anunoby. Inserting Fall in that situation was smart on Stevens’ part but it ultimately didn’t pan out in the end.

The pass and, most importantly, the shot by Anunoby likely saved the Raptors’ season as they were on the verge of heading into Game 4 facing elimination. Now, the defending champs have new life in the playoffs and can even the series on Saturday.

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