Can Toronto Win And What Is Up With Jamal Murray?
After a couple of games from Day 19 of the Playoffs, I’m talking about some topics from yesterday. Today I will be talking about the Toronto Raptors and Jamal Murray.
Can The Raptors Win Their Series?
After winning Games 3 and 4, the Raptors had the all momentum in the series. With the series tied 2-2, the Raptors looked to take a 3-2 series lead. But that kind of backfired as the Raptors got obliterated, and now find themselves in a 3-2 hole. Can the Raptors comeback and win?
I think for Toronto, it all starts on defense. In their wins, the Celtics have scored 103 points and 93 points. So the Raptors need similar defensive performance in order to win. The only problem is that they are mismatched. With all the scoring and size the Celtics possess, they are hard to guard. Jayson Tatum has been guarded by Kyle Lowry. Pascal Siakam has been guarding Marcus Smart. So the Raptors have been put in tough defensive spots.
And when the Celtics hit their open 3’s, they are nearly unbeatable in this series. When the Celtics shoot poorly from 3, the Raptors win. When the Celtics shoot well from 3, the Raptors lose. So the Raptors already have bad matchups, and on top of that they have to rely on the Celtics missing 3-pointers.
So on defense, the Raptors will have to pray that the Big-3 decides to be cold for Games 6 and 7.
On offense, it has also been a struggle. Not only in Game 5, which was bad, but the Raptors haven’t been great on offense. There have been times where they can’t score. One of the ways that they can win if their best players play well.
Specifically Pascal Siakam. Siakam has not been playing very well during this series, and we are seeing that he is better suited for a #2 role instead of the #1 role. VanVleet and Lowry have been solid in this series, but they will need other guys to score. Guys like Serge Ibaka, Ob Anunoby and others will need to score a big to take the pressure of the Raptors scorers.
But again, it all comes down to Pascal Siakam. He will need to play much better in order for the Raptors to have a chance at coming back and winning this series.
In closing, the Raptors are at a huge disadvantage against the Celtics. They don’t have the size to matchup with Boston, and they have to hope that the Celtics don’t have a good offensive night in order to win. On offense, Pascal Siakam has been miserable and he will need to play better for the Raptors to win. But, if he doesn’t, the Raptors championship defense will end shorter than expected.
Jamal Murray’s Struggles Against LA
After dominated the Jazz, Jamal Murray has been quiet so far in the series vs the Clippers. Since Murray is the X-factor for the Nuggets, they need him to step up. Why is Murray struggling?
I think the main reason Murray has been struggling is his start to games. In Game 1, Murray shot 4/11 from the field and had 10 points at halftime. Not the same Murray from the Utah series. And Murray was very quiet in this game as the Nuggets lost Game 1.
In Game 2, Murray shot 8/13 from the field and had 20 points at halftime. He finished with 27 points and the Nuggets won. Murray has to be more aggressive like this if the Nuggets want to win.
Game 3 was a near carbon-copy of Game 1 as Murray struggled early on and never got in going. The Nuggets lost Game 3.
I think that Murray is capable of playing well against this Clippers defense, it’s just that if he doesn’t get off to a good start, the Nuggets will likely lose. So the Nuggets need to get Murray good looks and hopes that he makes some of them. Murray is the X-factor for the Nuggets as Nikola Jokic is no-match for the Clippers. The Nuggets need Murray at his best for the rest of this series in order to have a chance at beating the Clippers.
What Are Your Thoughts On These Topics? Leave A Comment Down Below!
My Game-Day Report From Day 20 of the Playoffs Will Be Posted Tomorrow, So Stay Tuned!
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