Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors square off in Game-5 of the Conference Semifinal series in the American Basketball League 2019-20.
Match Timing: September 08, 4 AM IST
Team Preview
After dropping the first two games, the defending champions opened the conference semifinal series with adding two back to back victories to square the series 2-2. After a thrilling one-point victory in Game-3, the Raptors led by 4 points after the end of the first quarter in Game-4. Celtics took the 2nd quarter with the same margin to tie the score-line at the half-game. In the 3rd quarter, Toronto outplayed Bucks and took an 8-points advantage and Bucks couldn’t recover, despite winning the final quarter 20-19. Siakam led the Raptors with scoring 23 points plus 11 boards. Kyle Lowry also netted a double-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Ibaka scored 18 points plus eight boards coming off the bench. For the Celtics, Tatum scored a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Toronto shot just 39.5% from the floor, including 17 out of 44 from the 3-points range. Boston shot 44 percent from the floor, including just 7 out of 35 from beyond the arc. Celtics even also dominated in the offensive rebounds 45-41. Boston can take positives from the match as they held the Raptors to only 100 points and 39.5 percent shooting. The better defense from the Raptors and the 3-point shooting demise made Celtics lose this game, despite having a great show in the whole game. Toronto Raptors stands second in scoring defense as they allow an average of 104.1 points per contest. On the other hand, Boston Celtics stand first in scoring defense as they allow less than 100 points (99.9) per contest.
Possible Starting Lineup
Boston Celtics
Kemba Walker (PG), Marcus Smart (PG/SG), Jaylen Brown (SG/SF), Jayson Tatum (SF/PF), Daniel Theis (PF/C)
Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry (PG), Fred VanVleet (PG/SG), OG Anunoby (SF/PF), Pascal Siakam (PF), Marc Gasol (C)
Key Players
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum (PF): 25.3 points, 9.4 rebounds
Kemba Walker (PG): 22 points, 3.9 rebounds
Jaylen Brown (SG): 19 points, 6.8 rebounds
Toronto Raptors
Fred VanVleet (SG): 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7 assists
Serge Ibaka (C): 16.1 points, 8.8 rebounds
Pascal Siakam (PF): 19 points, 7.5 rebounds
