Title: Raptors grateful to have found chemistry, not buying that Boston has lost theirs
Date: January 15, 2019
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the Raptors being at their best offensively when they’re pushing the pace.
BOSTON — It takes a heavyweight to recognize a heavyweight. After practice at Northeastern University on Tuesday, Danny Green unstrapped a replica of the WWE Universal Championship belt off of his waist — he was wearing it upside down and backwards for Miz-like effect — and draped it over his left shoulder. Now looking the part, Green was asked about the Boston Celtics losing three straight games and entering a marquee matchup with the Raptors on Wednesday in a bit of a skid.
“That doesn’t mean anything. They are still a heavyweight in the East,” Green said. “Obviously they have had some injuries. They are still waiting on some guys. We are, too. Regardless of those facts they are still a very good ball club and can play at a high level. Even though they have lost some games and have been up and down, they are still a heavyweight in the East and we’ve got to go out there and respect them and play like that.”
This was a consistent message as the Raptors were regrouping over two days in Boston following a tough, narrow victory in Washington, complete with lengthy flight delay. Boston may be in a mini-skid of their own, but the Raptors have waged too many regular season wars with this team over the last few seasons to take anything for granted, especially on the road. A struggling team can often come in hungrier, looking to right the ship.
