By Zharita Sese
Eagle News Service
TORONTO (Eagle News) — With just two weeks to go until the NBA’s play-in tournament, the Toronto Raptors are not taking any game for granted in their effort to secure a playoff spot. Monday night’s match against the depleted Boston Celtics was a stepping stone in their pursuit of that goal. Though it took overtime to get it done, the Raptors won 115-112 over the Celtics and are now tied with the Chicago Bulls for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the Celtics missing key players such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford and Robert Williams, Boston was able to keep the game close thanks to guard Marcus Smart, who had 28 points and 10 rebounds.
Big man Daniel Theis was also an important piece to Boston’s effort, scoring 13 points, shooting 50% from the field and grabbing 10 boards.
As for the Raptors, All-Star, Pascal Siakam lead Toronto earning a season-high 40 points in 47 minutes, while shooting 57.8% from the field.
It was also a big night for the team’s veteran center, Thaddeus Young, who was picked up at the trade deadline.
Young had 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting and eight rebounds. It was his hustle play, however, that helped the team down the stretch.
Since joining the Raptors, Young has played 19 games and is averaging 6.3 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. When asked about how he has been feeling compared to his play last year, Young admits to having to adjust to his new role with the Raptors.
“It took me a little minute to get myself back into it, back into rhythm, just back to playing because I wasn’t playing at all in San Antonio,” said Young. “But now I feel like I’m getting into a good groove. I feel like I’m getting acclimated to what we’re doing and I feel like I’m getting back to my old self, a good flow. So I just want to keep that going and ride this wave into the playoffs.”
With the win against the Celtics, the race in the East has become that much tighter.
As of late, Toronto has positioned itself for a more secure spot in the postseason going 8-2 in their last 10 games with notable wins against the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.
In contrast, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls have lost six of their last 10 games which helps close the gap between the three teams.
“3.5 [games back from first seed]?…That’s pretty close to first place. That’s cool.” Raptors’ head coach Nick Nurse said in his postgame interview when asked about watching the standings amongst the East.
Even though there are only a handful of games left, the Raptors still have to go through the ringer to close out their season. With games against the current first place Miami Heat, the reigning NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks and one more meeting against the Celtics, the playoff picture for the Eastern Conference will likely not reveal itself until the last day of the regular season.
(Eagle News Service)