The lack of cohesion that spoiled the 2018-19 season has not been evident in the 2019-20 season for the Celtics, who face the Toronto Raptors in the second round Thursday night.

They opened the 2019 playoffs against a team that was without a high-level player and took advantage of the situation.

The fourth-seeded Celtics, who had finished just one game ahead of the fifth-seeded Indiana Pacers, swept through the first round as an injured Victor Oladipo watched the series from the sideline.

Riding that momentum, the Celtics began the second round with a 112-90 road win over the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and appeared to be headed to the Eastern Conference finals for a third year in a row.

But then it all fell apart for a team that had been beset by chemistry issues all season long.

The Celtics dropped the next four games to the Bucks, losing three times by double digits, including a 25-point wipeout in Game 4 to end the season.

Fast-forward one season later, and the Celtics have started the 20202 playoffs in similar fashion.

They went against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team without a high-level player in Ben Simmons (knee surgery), and swept through the opening round for a second consecutive year.

And the Celtics won Game 4 on Sunday afternoon by the same score (110-106) that was posted in Game 4 against the Pacers in 2019.

It may be a different year, but the Celtics have so far taken the same postseason path.

As they prepare for the Eastern Conference semifinal round, the Celtics are hoping the similarities come to an end.

Beginning Thursday night at Disney World, the Celtics will go against the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors, who finished off a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets Sunday night.

Unlike a year ago, when Kyrie Irving had one foot out the door and the team was not getting along, the Celtics have not had to deal with chemistry problems in the 2019-20 season.

There were changes made to the roster with Irving, Al Horford, Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier getting free-agent deals elsewhere while Aron Baynes was traded to create salary-cap space.

The Celtics have been a team that is cohesive, and they are hoping lessons learned from the second-round loss to the Bucks a year ago will come in handy now.

Were clicking on all cylinders with this unit that we have here, said Jaylen Brown after the sweep of the Sixers was complete Sunday afternoon. Last year, we had a lot of talent, but I think this year were better as a team.

So going into the next series, we have to be ready to fight. Last year, we swept as well in the first round and in the second round lost in five. We have that in the back of our heads, the guys that have been here.

We have to continue to come out and have things turn out differently. I think we have a better team and I think well prove it in the second round.

The Celtics won three of four games against the Raptors, including a game on Aug. 7 at Disney World in which they led by 40 points in the second half.

But the Raptors have shown remarkable resiliency all season long, fighting off the loss of Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency to finish with the NBAs second-best winning percentage.

The Celtics will be at a disadvantage against the Raptors since Gordon Hayward, who suffered a severe right ankle sprain in Game 1 against the 76ers, will not be available.

We all know its going to take every last person in that locker room and were trusting one another, said Marcus Smart. Last year, we didnt really have that trust that we do now.

Its part of the game. Youve got to find ways to get that trust back and weve been doing that. Weve got a lot of great guys that can do a lot of things and we trust every one of those guys.

In the series loss to the Bucks, Irving opened by scoring 26 points and handing out 11 assists in the 22-point victory.

But after that, Irving made only 25 of 73 shots in the remainder of the series, and it was obvious that his playing days in Boston were coming to an end. Irving signed with the Nets but suffered a season-ending injury and appeared in just 20 games.

The Celtics filled Irvings spot in the starting lineup with Kemba Walker, signing him away from the Charlotte Hornets, and he meshed a lot better, especially with youngsters Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Obviously we know all that hes accomplished over the years, all that hes capable of, said Tatum. Hes been one of the best players in the league for a long time now.

For him to just come into a situation where winning is really most important, he sees that other guys are on the rise and capable and he just wants to win. Hes there night in and night out. If we win, hes the happiest guy on the team.

Having Tatum and Brown take the next step in their development this season is a big part of why the Celtics are in the second round, and Walker has played a role in that.

The Sixers were taken care off in just a matter of days, but now the Celtics are up against a difficult second-round opponent for the second straight year.

This series is done with, but we havent won anything, said Smart. We cant focus on further ahead. We cant take moments for granted. Its focusing on the game ahead and not looking (down the road).

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.

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Celtics have better chemistry than a year ago - The Patriot Ledger