The key Raptors play big minutes because they have to. “I mean, if you’re ever going to do it, now’s the time to do it,” VanVleet said after playing 44:39 of Saturday’s 48 minutes. The Celtics used nine players in Saturday’s game but their best three — Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart — all played more than 40 minutes. Teams have to win the games they have to win and resting players for a few minutes in tight games might prove to be too costly. But Powell has been relatively ineffective and hasn’t played more than 20 minutes in any of the last three games.

Source: thestar September 06, 2020 21:56 UTC