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Celtics Respond in BIG Way, Blow Out Raptors in Game 5 to Recapture Series Lead

Al Nahigian

I’m sitting here at my desk just smiling because of the Celtics. We all saw a deflated, unmotivated Celtics team in game 4 and let a 2-0 series lead slip away. With the series tied at two games a piece, the Celtics needed to make a statement in game five. And oh BOY did they do just that!

The Celtics dominated from the first quarter on and came away with a decisive 111-89 victory over the Toronto Raptors. With the win, the Celtics retake the series lead at 3-2 and are one game away from their third Eastern Conference Finals appearance in four years. But before we get too ahead of ourselves here, let’s take a look back at game five briefly.

Jaylen Brown

For everyone that watched game four, we all saw Jaylen Brown struggle mightily, shooting 4-18 from the field. The Celtics needed Brown to have a big game five and he responded well.

I literally screamed after that Jaylen Brown dunk! Brown finished the night with 27 points on 10-18 shooting. It’s no secret when Jaylen Brown plays well, the Celtics usually end up in the win column. It was nice to see Jaylen bounce back in this one after a rough game four.

Kemba Walker

Have I expressed how much I love Kemba Walker? He’s a natural leader and you can tell with the heartbeat maneuver before the game. On the court, his step back? Automatic! Walker added in 21 points and seven assists. This is why Kemba came to Boston. He doesn’t have to score 30 plus to give his team a chance to win anymore. He can shoulder the load to other players and guess what? It results in a winning franchise! Plus, if a certain other PG was here this year, we don’t get that type of leadership before a big playoff game.

The Defensive Effort

Holding a team to 11 points in a given quarter in the NBA is INSANE to think about today. The Celtics did that to the Raptors in the first quarter and it set the tone. This Celtics team looked more cohesive and energized on the defensive end. Holding the Raptors to 89 points in a game? I like my chances to win every time.

In Conclusion

Good win, but there’s one more to go. The Celtics need to end this on Wednesday night. We don’t want to have to sweat a game 7 against a veteran Raptors group. Take care of business Wednesday night and then hopefully, you’re planning for Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. All in all, good win and let’s enjoy it on the off day today.

-Al Nahigian (@BigAl2793)

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Feat. image courtesy of ftw.usatoday.com/

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