Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from early clash with Celtics

3. Surging Ibaka

After an uninspiring offensive performance in the first game of the season, Serge Ibaka bounced back in a big way helping his team with 21-points, six rebounds, two assists and a block in 34 minutes of action.

Rebounding is one of the weaknesses this Raptors squad has shown, and Ibaka’s clutch time offensive boards were instrumental in the team’s ability to close out the game. On the other end of the court, Ibaka didn’t fare too well against his matchup.

Al Horford out rebounded him 5-2 on the defensive glass and 5-4 on the offensive side. The Raptors showed poor execution on boxing out the opponent on the defensive end.

Not to give them an excuse, a large portion of Boston’s 16 second-chance points were from 3-pointers clanking off the rim, resulting in an unpredictable bounce, usually leading into a long rebound.

Rebounding criticism aside, Ibaka’s resurgence (pun intended) happened when the Raptors needed him most, playing crucial minutes and continued his defensive anchor play no matter which lineup he was on.

Nurse has confidence in the roster’s fluidity, being able to play the most appropriate lineup against particular matchups, whether it is small-ball with Ibaka at the starting five or in-and-out spacing system with Jonas Valanciunas at the starting five.

The flexibility in the roster will be crucial come the postseason, and the regular season will be a great proving ground to test out various lineups before the truly meaningful games come Spring.