The Toronto Raptors dodged a bullet in Game 3, thanks to OG Anunoby’s best impersonation of Derek Fisher.

They were very close to hearing the sound of the death knell, as no team in NBA history has successfully come back from a 0-3 series deficit.

Still, there’s plenty of work to be done for the defending champs against the Boston Celtics, who are eyeing a huge rebound in Game 4. Catch Game 4 live on September 6, 6:30 am, Manila time.

HOME TEAM: #2 Toronto Raptors (1-2)

OG Anunoby may never have to buy his own beer in Toronto if the Raptors went on to win this series. Anunoby sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer in Game 3 to deliver Toronto a 104-103 win against the Celtics. He finished the game with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Although Anunoby is now the talk of the town up north, Kyle Lowry’s performance shouldn’t be ignored. It was Lowry who kept the Raptors in the game with his game-high 31 points to go with eight assists and six rebounds.

Lowry repeatedly attacked the basket, 2o of his points coming from inside the paint. Seeing that tactic provide fantastic results, expect Lowry to keep driving down the lane in Game 4.

Life would be easier for Toronto once Pascal Siakam snaps out of his funk. His shooting malaise continued in Game, as he went just 6 for 15 from the field for 16 points. He’s yet to shoot better than 40% in a game, so far in the Boston series.

ROAD TEAM: #3 Boston Celtics (2-1)

Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said the Game 3 loss “hurts and stings,” but at least his team is still up in the series, and that’s something Boston can feel good about following such a gut-wrenching loss.

Kemba Walker top-scored for Boston with 29 points in Game 3, though, only 12 were scored outside of the first quarter. Also missing for a good chunk of the game was Jayson Tatum, who went 1 for 6 and scored just five points in the second half.

The Celtics are more than just about Tatum, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to have him shooting blanks and disappearing when it matters the most. Tatum is averaging 23.3 points in this series but is shooting just 41.5 FG% — down by over 7% compared to his shooting efficiency in the first round.

With Toronto showing up with its best shooting performance from behind the arc this series in Game 3, the Celtics are pressed to tighten up their defense in the perimeter before the Raptors gain any more confidence in their outside sniping.

PREDICTIONS:

That Game 3 win was a confidence-booster for the Raptors, the last thing Boston wants the defending champs to have at this point. We’re taking the Raptors to win Game 4, 110-105.