Tag: east semis

WATCH: Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors full Game 6, Round 2 highlights

Watch the full game highlights of the Boston Celtics double-overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of their series with the defending champs in this video.

The Boston Celtics lost a heartbreaker to the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of their series with the defending champs, the game coming down to the final seconds of a 125-122 double-overtime contest.

Celtics forward Jaylen Brown led all scorers on the Celtics with 31 points and 16 rebounds, and All-Star forward Jayson Tatum added 29 points, 14 boards, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks on 9-of-21 shooting (including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc) in the loss.

Veteran forward Marcus Smart chipped in 23 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on 7-of-13 shooting (and 6-of-11 from 3-point range), while center Daniel Theis logged 18 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting).

Questionable calls and tough turnovers ultimately cost the team as much as flat starts to the first and third quarter did, but unlike the Raptors, the Celtics had Game 7 as a “get out of jail free” card.

Let’s hope it pays off with a win.

In the meantime, it’s win or go home for both teams, and if you want to watch why that’s true, just watch the video embedded above.

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Celtics see Game 6 ripped from their hands in 125-122 2x OT thriller

The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors will go at it one more time on Friday after the Raptors forced a Game 7 in double overtime.

The Boston Celtics came into Game 6 of their series with the Toronto Raptors trying very hard not to think about the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Raptors did their best to avoid the thought of packing their bags.

In the first half, things went mostly Toronto’s way, the game close until the midway point of the first half when the Celtics began to heat up and get some separation, Boston finishing the first quarter up 25-21. The Celtics maintained control in the game’s second frame, the lead growing to as much as 12 at the seven-minute mark after a 3-pointer from reserve guard Brad Wanamaker.

Toronto refused to go quietly however, and began chipping away at the Celtics lead little by little, a pair of treys by surprisingly mobile Raptors big man Serge Ibaka cutting the lead to 35-41. The Raptors kept at it, with point guard Kyle Lowry and shooting guard Norman Powell bringing their team to within four, Boston taking a 52-48 lead into the break.

The defending champs didn’t let up at the start of the penultimate frame as big man Marc Gasol opened the action with his first 3-pointer of the series. The Raptors would end up taking their first lead of the game since early in the first quarter off of a trey from reserve guard Fred Van Vleet, putting Toronto up 64-62.

Boston’s Marcus Smart would send Van Vleet to the line on a technical foul soon after, defending him too closely on a closeout and drawing the airspace tech as a result.

This seemed to energize the Raptors, who looked like they might pull away several times, only to see crafty plays from point guard Kemba Walker — getting his first points of the game off a 3 — and swingman Jayson Tatum keep them within two possessions.

An Ibaka layup with just under three minutes in the frame would give Toronto a seven-point lead. 3-pointers from Tatum and forward Grant Williams would cut the lead to to just two with a little more than a minute in the third quarter.

Ibaka padded the lead with a layup to close out the frame, the Raptors taking an 81-77 lead into the game’s fourth quarter. Boston began the final frame with a flurry of misses matched by Toronto until Lowry hit a deep trey with 11 minutes to go in the game.

The Celtics fought back, two 3s from Brown and another from Smart to cut the lead to two. Tatum would hit yet another to put the team up 89-88. Another deep 3 from Lowry stole the lead back, and Toronto could have added to it from the line, but guard OG Anunoby missed both from the line.

Lowry would make up for it with another 3, giving Toronto a five-point lead, but Tatum would cut it to 3 from the line. A Smart and-1 got Boston to within two points, and Theis would tie it up with two left in the game. Boston would hold it for the final possession, but Walker would miss and the Raptors couldn’t answer before time expired, sending the game to overtime.

The extra period began with a very questionable foul by Tatum, but Brown answered back. the two teams traded blows, with the game coming down to free throws for Boston, Brown tying it up at 106 with 18 seconds remaining.

Of course, nobody scored and the game went to double overtime.

The extra extra period started with a Tatum flush, and a costly turnover for Toronto led to a Theis dunk to give Boston a cushion, but the Raptors would tie it up at the line with two to play.

Theis would dunk it again in what felt like Groundhog Day, Siakam tying it up at 112 on the next play, but a Smart trey was the immediate response — as was Toronto’s 3 in response.

A late strip and an and-1 play by Cook gave the Raptors a four-point lead with just under 40 seconds to go, and the Celtics couldn’t find a way to stay alive, the Raps stealing Game 6 125-122.

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Toronto’s Ibaka to play in Game 6 despite sprained ankle

Toronto Raptors big man Serge Ibaka will play in a critical Game 6 against the Boston Celtics despite an ankle sprained in the Raps’ Game 6 loss.

Toronto Raptors big man Serge Ibaka plans to play in his team’s Game 6 matchup with the Boston Celtics despite having sprained his ankle late in the Raptors’ Game 5 loss to the Celtics.

Speaking at his team’s pregame media availability session, Toronto head coach Nick Nurse revealed the veteran center will play in Game 6 despite the injury, presumably with the hope Ibaka will be mobile enough with the sprain to be a positive contributor.

Nurse also revealed Ibaka will not have a minutes restriction, again with the presumption that the Congolese center will have plenty of time to recuperate if the team loses.

The Brazzaville native has averaged 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, an assist and 1.4 blocks per game on 51.2% shooting (including 50% from 3-point range) in the series with Boston to date.

He has been especially troublesome for the Celtics with his ability to stretch out Boston’s big men, especially Robert Williams III, who is still learning how to switch out to guard the perimeter at a high level.

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Citing Belichick, Stevens says it’s how they play now that matters

Invoking the words of fellow New England head coach Bill Belichick, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens wants his team to forget about their next game to win this one.

Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens isn’t trying to win his team’s series against the Toronto Raptors in their Game 6 meeting tonight, and if that sounds confusing, it’s actually a lot simpler than it sounds.

Responding to a question on how to fight the mentality of looking past each game to the series beyond once you are in an advantageous situation in terms of wins and losses in a playoff series, the Celtics coach simply dismissed the concept outright.

“At the end of the day, we’re trying to play well on Wednesday night, and play to the best that we can,” explained Stevens.

“We’re not thinking about it in terms of how many games we have to win the series; we’re trying to play good basketball. And I think that’s the only way you can go about it, because it’s so easy to get lost in narratives and think about the future, the past, and all that matters. It matters how we play tonight. When Belichick talked to our team a few weeks ago, history and experience are meaningless. It’s how you play in this minute.”

“I think that’s right,” he added.

If Boston is going to avoid playing a risky Game 7, that’s exactly what they’ll need to do — and it is a harder task than it seems when the memory of last-second defeat still lingers in the minds of many.

For the sake of the Celtics, let’s hope the lingering images of OG Anunoby’s miracle shot have been expunged by Monday’s successes.

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Stevens: Raptors ‘heck of a defensive team’ who play ‘tough, physical’

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is headed into a Game 6 showdown with the Toronto Raptors holding a healthy respect for Boston’s opponent.

It’s safe to say it’s unlikely Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens thinks the Toronto Raptors won’t be going home without a fight based on his comments to the press on Tuesday afternoon.

Stevens made a point of talking up his opponent in the presser, highlighting the fact that despite their offensive woes , the defending champs still possess a top-five defense in the league.

“Give Toronto a lot of credit,” suggested Stevens. They do so much unique stuff; they force you to have … and add a bunch of options and make sure that you’re on top of everything and try to have an answer for everything.”

“It’s easier said than done to do that and play at a fast pace,” he added, “and be able to get the shots that ultimately we’re trying to get.”

“They’re a heck of a defensive team and we’re just trying to work as hard as we can to generate a good look every time down. There are certain things we’re emphasizing. But again, that’s easier said than done, because those guys are into you; they’re tough, physical, all that stuff.”

After multiple deep playoff runs in the NBA and back-to-back NCAA title game appearances, it seems like the Indiana native has hit on a formula for his own approach to postseason play that’s consistently born fruit, particularly when considering the context of each individual season.

But Stevens has grown an appreciation for the variety of ways his own and opposing players and coaching staffs have operated as well.

“You have to have great resolve,” he explained.

“You have to have great mental toughness to play in this league, to stand in these arenas and to compete against this level of player, every night, and in a series that’s heightened even more so.”

“I think that it’s one of the things that I appreciate so much about this level of of sports. Everybody can talk about it, but until you’re in it, you’re in the middle of it so you feel it, until you see the effort and the commitment level, and the drive and the competitiveness of the players on all sides, [it] makes you makes you realize just how special it is.”

However Game 6 (and, potentially, Game 7) unfold, this is a battle between two special teams, neither of whom were supposed to be where they are at the start of the season according to popular wisdom.

Boston had a disaster of a season to dig out of and to retool on the fly while doing so, and the Raptors had just lost their superstar (and a key starter) in free agency after winning a title.

And in a season interrupted by a global pandemic for roughly a third of a calendar year, it’s probably worth mentioning that any NBA basketball happening safely ought to deepen our appreciation of this level sport as well.

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Previewing Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors Game 6, Round 2

The Boston Celtics try to close out the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of their second round series Wednesday evening while Toronto hopes to force a Game 7.

The Boston Celtics face the Toronto Raptors in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with their opponent facing elimination just a season removed from winning the NBA Championship.

Naturally, the Raptors will likely be as motivated as they can be to steal a win to save their season, though it feels very much like the Celtics have had a matchup advantage all series long — and learned how to wield it properly with Game 5’s brutal defense.

And while not much has changed on the injury front for Boston with Gordon Hayward (ankle) the only high-minutes player still on the Celtics’ injury list (Javonte Green [knee] and Vincent Poirier [personal reasons] are also out but play intermittently), the possibility of a much more critical player looms for Toronto.

Big man Serge Ibaka came down on another player’s foot late in Game 5 similar to how Hayward did vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, and was seen walking around the Disney NBA campus the following day, raising questions about whether the veteran center will be able to play.

Without his services, it seems very unlikely the Raptors will be able to force Game 7, and even if he is able to play, it seems probable he won’t be his usual self given the boot.

With this in mind, we’re predicting a strong closeout game for the Celtics, a 108-92 win.

Most online sportsbooks finally back Boston, granting the Celtics a -3 spread.

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How to watch or stream Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors Game 6, Round 2

These are all the ways you can watch or stream Game 6 of the series between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

The Toronto Raptors try to avoid being eliminated in their Game 6 matchup with the Boston Celtics after dropping a critical Game 5 on Monday, the defending champs getting blown out ‘at home’ 111 – 89 after charging back from down two games to none earlier in the series.

We should expect some of the most furious action of the series in the Wednesday evening contest as the Celtics try to secure a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons.

If you haven’t quite figured out how you will watch this crucial game, we might be able to help with a variety of broadcast and streaming options for you to watch Game 6.

Those of you with NBC Boston Sports as part of your cable package can watch the tilt for free on that channel, as well as their “MyTeams” app and NBCSportsBoston.com website if you’d prefer to stream the action.

For those of you outside New England, ESPN will be broadcasting the game as well nationally.

Paid services like NBA League Pass, NBA TV, FuboTV and Hulu + can also be used if paying to watch the game is no object.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m.Eastern Time on Wednesday; if none of these options help you out because of a busy schedule, don’t forget you can always watch our post of full game video highlights after the tilt.

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WATCH: Kemba Walker’s Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors full highlights

Watch all of Boston Celtics All-Star point guard Kemba Walker’s highlights from their Game 5 blowout vs. the Toronto Raptors.

Boston Celtics starting point guard Kemba Walker stepped up in Game 5 to help carry his team to a crucial win in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series with the Toronto Raptors.

The Celtics nabbed a critical 111 – 89 victory to retake control of the series with his help after nearly watching it slip through their fingers the prior two contests.

The UConn product put up 21 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and a block on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor in 36 minutes of playing time, the blowout win helping him find a seat in favor of bench players getting more time.

Walker was especially happy with his team’s defense — note his unusual block — speaking after the game. “Tonight our defense really set up our offense,” the New Yorker said postgame. “It worked out for us.”

If you didn’t catch the game when it was on, or just want to see Cardiac Kemba go to work for the fun of it, the video embedded above is what you want to be watching.

And Game 6 tips off at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, September 9th — so you won’t need to wait long to see him at it again.

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Iron Sheik, Shawn Michaels react to Siakam’s kick to Theis’ face

For a very brief moment, Game 5 between the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors might as well have been a WWE cage match.

The War on Theis continued in entirely new ways in Game 5 of the second round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors on Monday night, in ways that resembled a cage match in more than just a rhetorical way.

The ‘war’ refer to how Boston center Daniel Theis has found himself unjustly under siege by the referees of the 2020 NBA Playoffs throughout the first two rounds of the postseason.

In Game 5, things took a more aggressive turn for Theis as Raptors wing Pascal Siakam planted his foot in the face of the German big man.

More than a few fans of both teams who happened to also be aficionados of professional wrestling took note of the fact that Siakam seemed to be invoking his inner Shawn Michaels.

For the unfamiliar, Michaels is a WWE wrestler known for connecting the soles of his feet to the jaws of his opponents in the ring.

And it wasn’t just run-of-the-mill NBA fans making the connection, either.

Well-known professional wrestlers such as the Iron Sheik made a point of commenting on the similarities between Siakam’s (we’re pretty sure) inadvertent roundhouse and Shawn Michaels’ go-to move.

Sooner or later it had to get to the eyes of the man himself, who said, “Well, while I APPRECIATE you’ve been watching my old WWE tapes, you may run into issues hitting sweet chin music on an NBA basketball court!! Toronto Raptors”.

Little does Michaels know that the Celtics just so happen to have a pro-wrestler in training on the roster already for just such a purpose — Celtics center Enes Kanter spent last summer training with wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, after all.

Should Siakam try getting cute with a flying elbow off the top off the backboard, don’t be surprised to see the Turkish Shark appear out of the tunnel with a steel chair and the knowledge of how to use it.

Okay, that last part is probably never happening in an NBA game, but you can’t blame us for letting our imagination run with it a little.

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Jaylen Brown: Celtics changed little from Game 4, ‘locked in’ for win

If it isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix it, and despite recent shooting woes on both ends of the ball, the Boston Celtics continue to have the Toronto Raptors’ number.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Sager words have rarely been uttered in this world, and in Game 5 of the Boston Celtics series against the Toronto Raptors in the 2020 East Semifinals, it held especially true.

Cold-shooting nights and miracle shots aside, the only thing Boston really did differently was put more of an emphasis on the same approach they’ve been using on both ends of the floor.

“Just stay focused, stay locked in, execute the game plan. Come out and play hard, play tough, do our job,” explained fourth-year shooting guard Jaylen Brown on how the Celtics changed their approach for the win after the game.

“Hold each other accountable, and that’s all that matters,” he added.

“No different than any other night, to be honest. You’re ready for a playoff game to play basketball, sometimes simplifying things, making it easy. Less is more is the emphasis. But, no different than any other day I go to sleep and wake up.”

It was if people had a hard time believing it, despite watching it with their own eyes, Brown getting multiple versions of the same question, only to offer up a slightly different version of the same answer.

“I didn’t change anything from the last couple games to now,” he reiterated. “I didn’t change anything, really.”

“Went to sleep, watched film, talked to Tony [Dobbins, the video coordinator], talked to Brad [Stevens]. Nothing really different. It’s time to play. Just being aggressive, that’s it.”

“I guess you could say that’s just what I do,” added the Georgia native, his trademark swagger back after the victory.

And that’s really been the key to Boston’s success this season — embracing head coach Brad Stevens “kaizen” perspective while playing together and not straying far from the plan, if at all.

I didn’t change anything just because [of] good games, bad games, ups, downs — that’s life,” explained Brown. “It’s what happens.”

“Last game I felt like I got some good looks, they didn’t go down. This game, I got some good looks, they went down. The same mindset was to keep shooting if I’m open, don’t hesitate. I believe in myself, I think my coaching staff and organization believes in me. So we’ve just got to keep going. I didn’t change anything, really. The emphasis I was saying — less is more — just keep making the simple plays, hit singles, and that paid off.”

“But the mindset was the same,” he added.

Based on the results we have been seeing, no complaints here.

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