Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors showdown: 3 things the C’s needs to prove

It’s time to play Boston Celtics defense.

Besides staying out of foul trouble, the Boston Celtics absolutely have to play better team defense.

In beating the Toronto Raptors twice this season, the Celtics only allowed an average of 104.0 points per game.  They have to play at that level to have a chance to beat a team that can get hot behind the strip.

With two-way players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both capable of defending multiple positions and the defensive energy Marcus Smart always brings off the bench, the Celtics know the emphasis is on defense given the way they have lacked defensive efficiency so far during the NBA restart.

Coming off a 21-point performance against the Brooklyn Nets, Jaylen Brown knows the best offense can be what the team does defensively, which is the one thing he knows the Celtics need to work on to have a chance to make dreams happen in the land of magic.

"“Making sure we play the game the right way defensively, being a really, really good team, being a (expletive) to beat going into the playoffs,” Brown said, via ESPN.  “We figure that out, we’ll be alright.”"

With Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Brown and Gordon Hayward all healthy and on the court at the same time, the Boston Celtics can put up offense.  If they can put it together defensively, they will definitely be a tough team to take out.