Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Raptors in a familiar spot facing 2-0 series deficit

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 01 September 2020 20:17

The Toronto Raptors have been here before.

Just a season ago, the Raptors were staring a 2-0 deficit in the face in the Eastern Conference finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. Toronto answered with four straight victories to advance to -- and eventually win -- the NBA Finals.

Now, with a chance to defend that crown, Toronto will again have to come back from down 2-0 after dropping Tuesday's game to the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals.

"We're pretty pissed right now," Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry said afterward. "We're down 0-2. But we have to go back and look at the film and understand what we've done wrong and look at what we can do better."

As Lowry pointed out, this isn't a normal 2-0 series. The Raptors aren't going to play in front of their home fans or a raucous away crowd. This is a neutral-court game at Walt Disney World Resort.

"We just lost two games. We have a chance to get one game. That's all we have to do," Lowry said. "Get one game, and take it one game at a time. The Celtics, they are playing extremely well. We have to find a way to get ourselves going better."

Toronto led by as many as 12 in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter up 78-70. However, Marcus Smart hit five 3-pointers -- including a four-point play -- in the first 4:05 of the fourth quarter as Boston took control.

It didn't help that the Raptors shot 5-of-21 from the field and 1-of-11 from 3-point range in one of their worst fourth-quarter performances of the season. Now, it shifts all the pressure onto the Raptors' shoulders in Game 3.

"We gotta win next game," Raptors forward Pascal Siakam said. "That's what matters. I think we've played pretty decent. Obviously, in the fourth quarter there, we didn't make shots like they did. I think we just have to take that and continue to have the same intensity and win next game and worry about that."

Siakam went 0-of-3 in the fourth quarter and 6-of-16 for the game, while Lowry and fellow starting guard Fred VanVleet combined to go 2-of-10 (1-of-7 from 3) in the fourth quarter and a combined 13-of-38 (3-of-19 from 3) overall.

Even though Boston has had the edge in the first two games, the Celtics aren't resting on their laurels -- even if Boston has handed Toronto all three of its losses since the NBA restart.

"Our work's not done," Celtics guard Kemba Walker said. "Even though we're up two games, these guys have been down before. These guys know what it takes. They're still the defending champs. And we've still got tons of work to do. These guys ain't going away at all. They're going to come even stronger."

Raptors coach Nick Nurse said if last season's run to the Finals while overcoming being down 2-0 to Milwaukee taught Toronto anything, it's that the team shouldn't give up.

"We know the next game is super critical," Nurse said. "But they are all critical. They are. But we know this one is super critical."

Read 280 times

Soccer

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhil Foden has been named the Premier League's Player of the Season...

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJürgen Klopp has said Liverpool will move in an "exciting direction...

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNoni Madueke believes Chelsea are starting to "take shape" under Ma...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- When the Indiana Pacers fell behind 2-0 in their se...

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to remain side...

Baseball

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Following a one-run loss, Minnesota manager Rocco Bald...

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsComparisons to Tony Gwynn began to follow Luis Arráez when he first...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated