Two of the most beautiful words in sports: Game 7. While the Raptors should not have even deserved a shot at this, it is upon us. The Celtics were 0.5 seconds from going up 3-0 before a three pointer from OG Anunoby slipped past the outstreched arm of Jaylen Brown to sink Boston. Then after trading Games 4 + 5 we were treated to an all-timer in Game 6. Haymakers were thrown from both sides, but the Raptors ultimately came out on top. As a Celtics fan, you must understand that I truly believe the Celtics are going to win the game tonight. That being said, I would not be a true journalist if I didn’t present both sides. Below is the case for each team taking the final spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Raptors will win IF
- They hit three pointers. One of the more simple statistics, but pretty effective in mapping out the series. In every game Toronto shot over 30% from three, they’ve been the winners. Including Game 6, which they shot an eye opening 40% from deep. When they are connecting from outside, it opens up the lanes and the Raptors have taken advantage. If the Raps can hit 17-20 threes with some consistency, the Celtics will have some problems.
- Pascal Siakam gets going. The star forward has been pretty quiet over the last few games. This is in large part to the stifling defense put forward by Jaylen Brown. Spicy P has been looking awfully mild, scoring over 20 points just once in the series, while shooting a dismal 37.7%. So far, the moment has been simply too much for him, but do not count out a huge Game 7 performance that could push the Raps over the top
- The Celtics stay cold. Although Boston dropped 122 points in Game 6, it came from some inefficient shooting. The three headed trio of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker combined to shoot 35%, including a putrid 2/11 night from Kemba. The box and one + small ball used by Nick Nurse and the Raptors seemed to confuse the Celtics’ offense and allowed them to stay in the game. Although they will most likely adjust, Nurse and the Raptors are one of the best defensive teams in the league for a reason.
The Celtics will win IF
- Kemba Walker regains form. The PG has shot 3/18 from three in the last three games of the series and has only scored over 20 points twice. He has not played in a meaningful basketball game like this since UCONN, but he has to be the catalyst coming into Game 7.
- Marcus Smart stays hot. The guard from OK State has taken is game to another level these past two years, connecting on better than 34% from deep. When you factor in his hustle and defense, he is indispensable to the squad and has provided a huge lift on both sides of the floor during the playoffs. He was 6/11 from deep and tallied a triple double. Throughout the playoffs his +/- is +76. The Celtics margin of victory? +79. The game may not be won off of his hot shooting touch (5+ threes in half of the games in this series) but his fingerprints will be all over the win.
- The defense remains rock solid. The stats heavily favor the Celtics in most categories. Although Toronto has gutted out some tough wins, the Celtics are fully capable of knocking them around. Take the margin of victory for instance: the Raptors hold a 3.3 margin of victory. The Celtics? 14.3. The Raptors have been held under 105 points in every game this series except for one, a double overtime Game 6. Even with that game added into the equation, the Raptors have scored an average of 100.2 point. If everything goes according the plan, the first team to 100 will likely win the game.
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