The winning streak of the Boston Celtics (12-2) holds. The twelfth game in a row was also won against the Toronto Raptors (7-5). In an ever-close match, Brad Stevens’ men won 95:94. DeMar DeRozan awarded Toronto the potential game winner.
The spectators at the TD Garden initially saw a balanced match. Both teams made many simple mistakes and suffered numerous ball losses. Toronto could rely on his backcourt around Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who shouldered most of the offense of the guests. However, no team over three quarters of the way could win a two-digit lead. Boston made the better impression after the break, but the Raptors’ bench kept the game balanced. In the fourth quarter, the lead changed again a few times, but then the Celtics were able to defend a narrow cushion.
The Raptors missed the lead by DeRozan just 20 seconds before the end, but Jayson Tatum rammed Fred VanVleet’s elbow in the face – offensive foul and ball toronto at 95:94. DeRozan got another chance, but also the jumper from the midrange didn’t find his target. The Celtics won.
Al Horford was the top scorer in Boston with 21 points (8/9 FG). The youngsters Jaylen Brown (18) and Jayson Tatum (13) also played well. Marcus Smart scored 14 points and 9 assists to replace the injured Kyrie Irving. In Toronto, Lowry (19) and DeRozan (24.8/22 FG) scored only CJ Miles with two digits.
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Daniel Theis once again convinced with great dedication and used his 17 minutes to score 2 points (1/2 FG), 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. Jakob Pöltl (2 points, 1 rebound) only played 4 minutes in the first half. Instead, Lucas Nogueira (7 rebounds) saw most of the backup minutes on Center.
Celtics are a force among the boards this year. So that evening, too. Baynes sounded the alarm in the zone and gave Boston numerous second chances. This was important, because at first little was going on in the field. During the break Celtics had only transformed 33 percent of the litters. Brad Stevens’s team was still well served, for example, so that the gap was only 5 points after 24 minutes. Boston won the fight for the rebounds more than clearly with 46:36.
If Celtics can rely on something, it’s their mighty defense. Prior to the match, Boston had allowed only 94 points per game (defensive rating: 94.8) and even against the strong attack of Toronto they almost kept their cut. Although the Celtics scored only 18 points in the fourth quarter, only as many of them admitted and held their opponents at the end of the season.
The Raptors have one of the deeper benches with the many talented youngsters. This was also evident today. CJ Miles and Pascal Siakam brought valuable production from the bank. The game of the reserveists was very clear to the Canadian guests (37:26). Celtics had some total failures. Shane Larkin and Semi Ojeleye stayed together for a total of 20 minutes without points (0/8 FG).
Celtics vs. Raptors: This way to the BOXSCORE!
Marcus Smart. As always, he was no match without questionable lay-ups, but especially in the second half, the Guard made a strong game, seldom overdoing it and using his fellow players well instead. Especially the open contactors found Smart after his drives. His Hustle in the Defense was naturally as strong as ever. Another pleasing feature: his free threesome was sunk by Smart this time. Also strong: Mr. Reliable – Al Horford.
Serge Ibaka. With little bonding tonight. He took four lean throws, three of which he pocketed (9 points, 6 rebounds). Nevertheless, his playing was characterized by a lot of lethargy. I could hardly relieve the backcourt. His defense was mostly good – he managed an important steal in the crunchtime. In the one-on-one against Horford but over the 48 minutes with some problems.
Against the large formation of the Raptors with Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas, Stevens relied on Power Forward on the recovered Horford. This paid off among the baskets. Baynes was again digging in his inimitable style and attacked numerous offensive rebounds. Marcus Morris, on the other hand, saw a lot of playing time with the Second Unit and isolated himself a few times – but with only a few Fortune (8 points, 2/7 FG).