A sublime piece of individual skill from Boston’s Kemba Walker — which included a blind bounce-pass assist to Daniel Theis — put the Celtics ahead 103-101 with 0.5 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Celtics were celebrating the bucket as if they had won. They almost certainly had. Almost.
The ball fell through the net to the rapturous celebrations of the Raptors.
The Celtics have been rampant so far in the Playoffs, not dropping a single game in a 4-0 shutout of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, before taking a 2-0 over the reigning champion Raptors.
No team in NBA history has overcome a 3-0 Playoff deficit, so this win was crucial to the Raptors’ hopes of defending their title.
It truly was a team effort from the Raptors. Lowry may have topped the scoring with 31 points, but each one of their starters recorded at least 10 points.
The Celtics’ loss leaves the fith-seed Miami Heat as the only undefeated team left in the Playoffs. The Heat hold a 2-0 lead over the number one seed Milwaukee Bucks.
Nash to the Nets
Elsewhere in the NBA, having lost 4-0 to the Raptors in the first-round of the Playoffs, the Brooklyn Nets have made a new signing.
Last summer saw them acquire perennial All-Stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
This time however, it is a new coach.
He’ll be stepping in for interim head coach Jacque Vaughn, who is being retained as an assistant head coach.
Since retiring, Nash has worked with the Golden State Warriors as a player development consultant.
“I am honored to have this opportunity with such a first-class organization and would like to thank Sean, Joe and his wife, Clara, for having faith in my ability to lead this team forward,” said Nash in a press release from the team.
“Coaching is something I knew I wanted to pursue when the time was right, and I am humbled to be able to work with the outstanding group of players and staff we have here in Brooklyn. I am as excited about the prospects of the team on the court as I am about moving to Brooklyn with my family and becoming impactful members of this community,” Nash said.
“After meeting with a number of highly accomplished coaching candidates from diverse backgrounds, we knew we had a difficult decision to make,” said General Manager Sean Marks. “In Steve we see a leader, communicator and mentor who will garner the respect of our players.
“I have had the privilege to know Steve for many years. One of the great on-court leaders in our game, I have witnessed firsthand his basketball acumen and selfless approach to prioritize team success.
“His instincts for the game, combined with an inherent ability to communicate with and unite players towards a common goal, will prepare us to compete at the highest levels of the league. We are excited to welcome Steve, Lilla, Lola, Bella, Matteo, Luca and Ruby to Brooklyn.”