kevdonahue.com

After watching the Celtics’ 92-87 Game 7 win over the Raptors ..

1. Paskal Siakum took a big step back this postseason. In a series where Toronto really needed Siakum to come up big, he was outplayed by Jaylen Brown consistently. In Game 7, he managed just 13 points (to Brown’s 21). After a great first half of the season, he didn’t play at the same level in the second half, before the March break.
2. The Raptors, and Kyle Lowry, really impressed me. Tough as nails, it would have been quite the achievement to reach the Conference Finals for a second straight year, especially without Kawhi Leonard. Frankly, I think they would have been a better fit for Miami than Boston. Which leads me to ….
3. I think the Heat are headed to the NBA Finals. They are rested, immaculately coached and have plenty of ways to score—and Jimmy Butler to bring it home. I think the Heat are a good antidote to the Celtics.
4. Game 7 was the first time I found the Bubble really lacking. You play all season to earn homecourt advantage and it’s supposed to be worth something. The atmosphere was so unlike a Game 7 crowd that it felt more like other sports where the lack of fans is so jarring.