If they come put listless on Tuesday, I think it is fair to wonder what's going on in that locker room...

A national audience, a desire to prove that they deserve to be considered a playoff team (i.e. TOP SIX) and a recent embarrassing loss to NYK that warrants some vengeance...esp for IQ and RJ (if he plays) to spoil the party for their former team.

Maybe this poor stretch of play can be a good thing. NBA Cup is up next and they should have EVERY reason to be up for Tuesday's game....

I don't think missing RJ explains much....although they certainly miss him!

Where I think they miss him most is his steady, level-headed demeanor. RJ doesn't complain about calls, doesn't get bothered by the ups and downs of the game, and is tough as nails. Quiet but loud

Celtics scoring 40 points in the second half should have been catastrophic. Not so when scoring nearly 80 in the first half!

See, a HUGE part of the problem here is that the Raptors epically crapped the bed for over half of this game. Had they played even passable basketball, they would probably be in control of this game, rather than desperately clinging to staying close.

Meanwhile, Brown almost fully extends his push off arm. Evem without that, tripping may be accidental but it is indeed illegal as well!

Alvin Williams with the great call: Pointing out that the Raptors made this run by staying honest to their mark defensively. Boston wants to get the defense scrambling, and excels at punishing it when it happens.

Raptors can't fall back into that and win the game.

Thank you!

That was a horrific moving screen by Minott to allow the White three when BOS was desperately struggling

Raptors found a defensive rhythm here in the third that could allow them to compete in this game if they can keep it up. Helps to only give up 1 turnover and 1 OReb after the crappy first 2 mins

Woes, Agbaji's first corner three of the season comes in December.

Raptors deserve credit for defensive improvement. They are staying much more honest with their own defensive assignments, which I think makes the most sense: Dare Brown+White to score 1v1 and stay true on the rest

Two offensive rebounds and a turnover in the first two minutes.

It is REALLY hard to watch this. What is going on with this team???

The Celtics are a proud team that plays hard and knows who they are, and they are executing. Sure, full credit for that.

However, the Raptors defense has yet to enter the building. Ti.e to show some pride and professionalism.

Celtics are 11-13 in the paint, and shoot 44% from 3.

My point is, as a defense, you can never take away EVERYTHING.

However, the Raptors are not taking away ANYTHING.

Ball security has been better after a rotten start (8 TO), but they are back at bleeding offensive rebounds, allowing nine.

The Celtics lead can be ENTIRELY ascribed to their advantage on TO and OReb. DESPITE the wretched defense!

These should be easy fixes, but have plagued the team all year.

This team thought of itself as a strong defensive group. That has been the case at times, but they have been prone to these kinds of poor showings. In losing 4 of 5, the issue has been on defense.

RJ would help, but the team needs to be honest with themselves: The defensive work has been poor

Shead has driven into terrible shots that got blocked twice already (something he does too often), and had a turnover. He's got his hustle on - which helps! - but you need good decision-making from your PG first and foremost