Must Cs: Celtics vs. Raptors Game 2 Reaction to Marcus Smart’s iconic night

Marcus Smart unloaded one of his great performances in his six Celtics seasons, leading the Celtics back in one short burst of five three-pointers in a row to open the fourth quarter. Kemba Walker exploded late, reaching 19 points after an 0-for-8 start, then drilling the game-winning shot in Game 2 against the Raptors.

Jayson Tatum added 34 points, eight rebounds and six assists during another standout performance, before his late technical foul nearly cost Boston. He made up for it on the final possession, fronting Fred VanVleet’s final heave.

Scroll below for reaction from CLNS Media’s post game coverage team and the Celtics and Raptors.

The Garden Report —

Can The Celtics Put Raptors Away in Game Three?

The Boston Celtics pulled out a Game 2 victory against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night behind a ridiculous fourth quarter effort by Marcus Smart. Five straight made three pointers by Smart and Kemba Walker hitting clutch shots was too much for the Raptors to overcome in the closing minutes. Boston now has a 2-0 series lead over Toronto with Game 3 on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Nick Nurse Blames Refs After Celtics Beat Raptors in Game 2

Toronto Raptors head coach, Nick Nurse, blasted the refs after losing Game 2 to the Boston Celtics. Nurse specifically called out Marcus Smart for “fouling the shit out of” Pascal Siakam and said the officials “took very good care” of Jayson Tatum. With the Raptors down 0-2 in this series now, why is Nurse not having his players take accountability for the loss?

Sierra Goodwill, Bobby Manning, Jimmy Toscano and Josue Pavon discuss Brad Stevens’ coaching job this series compared to Nurse’s.

Game 2 Post Game Show

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Press Conferences —

Boston Celtics

Brad Stevens: “Marcus has always effected winning in a big way ... he made a bunch in a row, it loosens up the D and we can drive the ball ... Marcus has been a winning player since he got here.”

Marcus Smart (for the first time in his custom face mask): “I’m telling myself the first shots I was taking were rimming in and out, they were great shots ... then I saw the first one go in I knew that the next time I’m catching, I’m shooting it.”

Jayson Tatum: “We weren’t worried ... Smart gave us that spark when we needed it. He was amazing.”

Kemba Walker: “It’s only one Marcus Smart ... that dude is unbelievable.”

Toronto Raptors

Nick Nurse: “(Tatum) shoots 14 free throws which is as much as our whole team shoots ... (The referees) took very good care of him tonight.”

Kyle Lowry: “It sucked, but (Smart) made shots and that’s why he’s a pro ... he got hot and we didn’t cool him off.”

OG Anunoby

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