In a series where the Toronto Raptors have bounced back from an 0-2 deficit to tie it up at 2-2, the obvious parallel to draw would be to last year’s Eastern Conference Final. There too they faced a tough opponent in the Milwaukee Bucks, fell into a two-game hole, found some fireworks in Game 3, and rallied.
When looking at the Boston Celtics, though, this series looks less like last year’s matchup with Bucks and more like the one against the Sixers. It’s been a defensive battle, first of all. The two teams have successfully forced the other away from their preferences on offense and have turned each game into a different kind of grind.