Basketball fans got a potential preview of the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night, as the Boston Celtics traveled to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors. If a postseason matchup between the two teams would be anything like their first meeting of the regular season, we’re in for a treat, as the Raptors beat the Celtics in a thriller, 113-101.
The game was closer than the final score would indicate, as the Raptors’ lead was only two with 2:30 left in the game. But Toronto was able to pour it on at the end and, as a result, Kawhi Leonard and Co. drew first blood in what should be one heck of a series this season.
One day later and Brad Stevens wasn’t pulling any punches when asked about where things stand between his team and their rivals to the north.
Brad Stevens; "I think Toronto is clearly better right now, and we’re going to have show some growth."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) October 20, 2018
This normally wouldn’t be a huge deal — of course the team that lost is going to be a bit down and concede the team that won by double-digits is better. But it is interesting that Stevens is taking this approach in light of something Terry Rozier said earlier this month about how the team’s mindset entering the year wasn’t where it needed to be.
The good news for Boston, though, is that the team is crazy talented and there’s more than enough time to recalibrate its focus and get to a point where their coach believes they’re better than their top challenger in the East.
