RAPTORS CLIMBED TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH THE WIN IN BOSTON.  NOW--CAN THEY STAY THERE?

       The struggle for the Raptors was more than just the game being played in front of them—it was about self-confidence and the belief that the best team in basketball can be beat.  The first four meetings (the first was a pre-season contest in Italy)  ended similarly—with the Raptors being the second best team on the court.  The troubling part, beyond losing the game, was that the gap between this year’s division leader and last year’s winner was increasing with each game.  The Raptors began to believe that Boston simply was in another league.

      The Raptors entered their previous meeting, a Sunday after noon battle in November, brimming with confidence.  They had been playing well (were almost dominant at home) and were seeking revenge for a lambasting the Celtics had laid upon them in Boston just a few days before.  But a young and excitable club played exactly as advertised and allowed the Celtics to dominate from the outset.  It was a disturbing result considering that the Raptors believed they were a competitor, were playing well, and were angry. 

      Perhaps Boston’s suffocating defense was just too much fort the typically shot happy Raptors to overcome.

      This time though  there was a different sense about the game, even before it began.  Coach Mitchell downplayed its importance.  While admitting that a win would do wonders for his club’s sensitive psyche he insisted that game 42 didn’t deserve any more impetus—it just another game in the long and gruelling NBA schedule.   And while winning certainly wasn’t expected it was important for the young club to prove that they could compete with the big bad boys from Beantown.   

      Being on the big stage creates tension all by itself, and again, like they had before in games against Boston--and Detroit, the other dominant conference team--nervousness surfaced.  The Raptors concentrated on eliminating any sense of panic—a sense that caused their downfall in each important loss--but overcompensated.  They tried so hard to be calm they actually played with a casualness.  The Celtics took full advantage.  

       Senseless turnovers begat more senseless turnovers and resulted in many easy Celtic baskets.  The Raptors had a secret weapon though--Andrea Barganani kept the Raptors in rhythm and in the game with his inspired play.  While both Bosh and Calderon struggled at the start Bargnani was dominant and took control in what was by far his best stretch of basketball this year.  The overanalyzing sophomore simply played the game the way he was meant to play.   While the Celtics focussed on Bosh, Bargnani flourished as an alternative in the pick and roll offense, playing off Calderone and creating several open looks.  And he made the shots with confidence. 

     Simply put if Bargnani has found a sense of his game, and can contribute as a secondary offensive weapon behind Bosh, it will elevate this club into the big boy neighbourhood.  The turnovers kept coming though—but in the second half they were being committed strictly because of the urgency of the game and the pressure applied by their opposition.  These type of turnovers are understandable—they are an acceptable result from a hard fought battle between two upper echelon clubs.  The Celtics had their share of those as well. 

       The two most imposing statistics to come out of this game--the Celtics took 20 more shots and outscored the Raptors 23-0 in fast break points.  The turnovers were being turned into points by the Celtics.  They were efficient, aggressive and organized on offense—always found the open shooter, and rebounded the ball after a miss.  At times the Celtics would put up four shots within a few seconds, grab two offensive rebounds, and score four points while the Raptors failed to get off a shot with their possession.  Despite these unbelievable numbers the Raptors managed to win.  Why?

      The style of the game quickly became one that comforted the Raptors.  The Celtics want to play defense and win 92-79.  The Raptors want to run and win 109-93.  With Bargnani hitting shots, and with Parker hitting shots the Raptors were scoring even though Boston’s strategy of pressing Bosh was working.  Bosh was contained through much of the first half, and was even forced into several careless turnovers  (he had seven for the game).

    The Celtics had little choice but to win the Raptor way—and almost did.  The home team played with energy, agressiveness, passion and composure.  This was an epic battle between two determined teams.  The Raptors displayed their skill, their ability and their depth.  They ran out five players (the starters plus Delfino in for Moon) that scored when given an opportunity.   Deficits were cut quickly, including a late game seven point hill that they eventually climbed. 

       Success had already been realized—the Raptors could play in the big boys’ neighbourhood.  Winning on the fabled Boston hardcourt took them to the next level.  This particular victory will prove out to be a critical moment this season if the Raptors find great success.  As big as their win was in San Antonio, against the defending champions, the Raptors knew they were playing a struggling Spurs club.  The Celtics were not a struggling club.  They were a championship club playing at a championship level.  On this night the Raptors, despite all their mistakes, simply played better.

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