The Raptors had a brutal, lacklustre game from the opening tip in a 112-94 loss to Boston in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
Toronto shot poorly, didn’t defend very well, and gave the Celtics too many open three-pointers. The better team won the game.
Whether that happens another three times in this best-of-seven series is indeed a mystery but if Toronto plays that poorly and Boston plays that well, this series is going to be over in a hurry.
“Obviously, we are not ourselves and I think more we are going to have to play a lot better, especially at the offensive end,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.