Celtics (23-14) at Raptors (24-13) Game #38 1/10/17

[LilRip]

I hope they don't get all the calls. Lowry and Derozan are all stars and are good at drawing contact. This will be a good barometer of where the teams at, even with an AB injury. I would love for the C's to pull this one out.

[MrMorrill]

Let's not all jump the gun, I'd love a win but the Raps have been out of sorts for a bit so they need a statement win and getting one over the surging Celtics would be one. But, I am optimistic... Smart is the key to this game in my eyes he needs to be his own bullish self.

I'm wondering if a loss here for the Raps really pushes them to make a trade for possibly Millsap.

[trickybilly]

Let's not all jump the gun, I'd love a win but the Raps have been out of sorts for a bit so they need a statement win and getting one over the surging Celtics would be one. But, I am optimistic... Smart is the key to this game in my eyes he needs to be his own bullish self.

I'm wondering if a loss here for the Raps really pushes them to make a trade for possibly Millsap.

What possible asset do the raps have that Atlanta want though.

Agreed Milsap is perfect on that team though...

[mef730]

No AB .....smh

This will a difficult game to win by all accounts .

On the other hand, Zeller is also out, so there's some positive news.

Mike

[Rosco917]

This is one of those games that tell us where we are. A measuring stick game.

This is the team we need to figure a way to beat.

Go C's!

[mef730]

This is one of those games that tell us where we are. A measuring stick game.

This is the team we need to figure a way to beat.

Go C's!

I was just coming to say the same thing. ESPN had us ranked 5th in the Power Rankings. Tonight should show us something.

Mike

[Ilikesports17]

Without Bradley a loss isnt really [dang]ing while a win is really terrific.

That said, a loss pretty much Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.s us in the tiebreaker which could easily end up mattering.

Its tough to have Bradley out for this game because they have 2 elite gaurds and Smart can only cover 1 at a time.

[jpotter33]

Without Bradley a loss isnt really [dang]ing while a win is really terrific.

That said, a loss pretty much ****s us in the tiebreaker which could easily end up mattering.

Its tough to have Bradley out for this game because they have 2 elite gaurds and Smart can only cover 1 at a time.

I'm hoping to see more of that big bench lineup tonight of Smart, Brown, Jae, JJ, and KO.

I also expect to see IT involved in a ton of pick and rolls to try get him on mismatch switches.

[saltlover]

Something about this game makes me think IT is going to go off tonight for 45+ points. 

[oldtype]

Something about this game makes me think IT is going to go off tonight for 45+ points.

I think that 'something' is 'Avery Bradley not playing.'

[tankcity!]

Big game tonight. This game will tell us a lot about each player on this team.

[saltlover]

Something about this game makes me think IT is going to go off tonight for 45+ points.

I think that 'something' is 'Avery Bradley not playing.'

That's part of it, part of it is him trying to show he's better than Kyle Lowry, and part of it is a hyperactive imagination on my part.

[LarBrd33]

Big game.  Very excited for it.  Real bummer Avery isn't playing, but if Smart has another big performance it's all-aboard the "Smart is finally breaking out" hype train.

My man is averaging 15 points, 5.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1 block, 1.3 steal with 52%/62%/100% shooting in 2017.

[saltlover]

Big game.  Very excited for it.  Real bummer Avery isn't playing, but if Smart has another big performance it's all-aboard the "Smart is finally breaking out" hype train.

My man is averaging 15 points, 5.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1 block, 1.3 steal with 52%/62%/100% shooting in 2017.

"Your man"? I'm sorry, but no.  You've made it quite clear for 2.5 seasons that Julius Randle is "your man."

[jpotter33]

Big game.  Very excited for it.  Real bummer Avery isn't playing, but if Smart has another big performance it's all-aboard the "Smart is finally breaking out" hype train.

My man is averaging 15 points, 5.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1 block, 1.3 steal with 52%/62%/100% shooting in 2017.

Iirc, he's shooting over 40% from beyond the arc over the last 8 or 9 games. Of course, that doesn't seem sustainable, but it does support the narrative that he's finally starting to break out in the proper role.

Also another interesting note - the C's are looking to tie the NBA record of games in a row with 17+ three pointers tonight. We've done it the last 4 games, and we can tie this year's Rockets team with another 17+ three pointers tonight for the NBA record.