The Toronto Raptors clawed back against the Boston Celtics but ultimately fell short 108-105.
The Raptors were able to overcome a 16-point halftime deficit and made it a game late. Derrick White hit a tiebreaking three for the Celtics with 26.8 seconds left in the game. Scottie Barnes had a chance to tie it up with a three of his own on the next Raptors possession but missed.
The Celtics now move to 2-0 against the Raptors this season and 2-0 in Group C. While the Raptors fall to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in group play.
After this game there was a lot of attention directed at Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic for his coaching decisions, which arguably cost Toronto the game.
The first decision came in the first quarter. Pascal Siakam who got off to a hot start picked up 3 fouls in the opening frame. Rajakovic decided to sit Siakam out the rest of the half. Rajakovic said he thought about bringing Siakam back in late in the second quarter but did not want to risk him getting his 4th foul:
Rajakovic said he had a sub ready for Siakam after he picked up his 2nd foul but he got whistled for his 3rd. He considered going back to him late in the 2nd quarter but didn’t think the risk of him getting his 4th foul was worth it. “That was a tough, tough one.”
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 18, 2023
With Siakam on the bench for the rest of the first-half, the Celtics made their run and carried a 16-point lead into halftime.
Fortunately for the Raptors they were able to make a strong push in the third quarter to erase the deficit. But then Rajakovic’s other costly coaching decision came late in the fourth quarter. Scottie Barnes who was starting to get it going after a slow start was pulled from the game with 4:32 left. Rajakovic said he wanted to give him a quick rest. But then there was no stoppage in play so Barnes did not end up checking back into the game until 0:27 left. Rajakovic said he considered using a timeout or foul to stop play but didn’t. Rajakovic acknowledged his poor decision by saying “thats on me. I’m going to own that one.”
Rajakovic mistakes cost Raptors
Ultimately in a close game like this, coaching mistakes like these can cost your team the victory.
The biggest mistake for Rajakovic was not having one of his best players in Scottie Barnes out there in crunch time.
The Raptors look to get back on track when they host the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 19.
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