Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors face each other in Game-2 of the Conference Semifinal in the American Basketball League 2019-20.
Team Preview
Who would have thought as Boston Celtics enter in Game 2 of the conference semifinal series with a 1-0 lead? Celtics is no doubt, one of the best defensive sides of the season and they overcame defending champions in Sunday’s series opener.
In Game 1, Celtics led by 16 points in the first quarter and after half of the game, they were ahead in the game with 42-59. Raptors tried to recover the advantage and took the 3rd quarter 31-29. In the final quarter, the Celtics came top over defending champions with 21-24. Raptors scored 119.8 points per contest in the postseason but in the first game, they failed to cross 100. Boston shot 47% from the floor, including 17 out of 39 from the 3-point range beyond the arc. Celtics also dominated the offensive rebounds with 50-40. Daniel Theis netted a double-double from 25 minutes off the bench. Kemba Walker also scored a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum scored 21 points each in the victory. For Raptors,
The Raptors ranks first in scoring defense in the league, but the story was quite different against the Celtics. They shot just 36.9 percent from the floor, including 10 out of 40 from the three-point range. Siakam and Lowry both require the top game and the aggressiveness on Tuesday to level the series. Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol are the key figures for the defending champions but the Celtics knocked down 17 3-pointers in on Sunday to question Toronto’s defense.
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): 25.8 points, 9.6 rebounds
Kemba Walker (PG): 23 points, 4 rebounds
Jaylen Brown (SG): 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds
Toronto Raptors
Fred VanVleet (SG): 19.2 points, 4 rebounds
Serge Ibaka (C): 18.4 points, 10 rebounds
Pascal Siakam (PF): 19.2 points, 6.8 rebounds
