From 0-3 to 3rd place within the Jap Convention.
The surging Celtics gained their fifth straight Sunday in Toronto, squandering a 23-point second-half lead however holding on for a 121-113 victory at Scotiabank Area.
With the win, Boston leapfrogged the Raptors within the East standings. At 15-9, Joe Mazzulla’s membership now trails solely the 19-5 Detroit Pistons and 16-7 New York Knicks, each of whom the Celtics defeated throughout their present run of 10 wins in 12 games.
“We simply needed to climate the storm,” Jaylen Brown instructed NBC Sports activities Boston sideline reporter Abby Chin after the sport. “(The Raptors) upped the stress. They did the identical factor in preseason twice the place they got here again, so I suppose third time’s a attraction. We didn’t let it occur right this moment.”
Brown led Boston with 30 factors, eight rebounds and 5 assists, with Derrick White including 27-4-5 with three blocks. Fourth-quarter 3-pointers from White and Payton Pritchard (15 factors) helped the Celtics get well after the Raptors stormed again to take their first lead of the sport with 10:39 remaining.
Boston shot 43% from 3-point vary within the recreation whereas totaling eight steals, 9 blocks and 14 offensive rebounds, together with six by Neemias Queta (11 factors, 11 rebounds) and 4 by Brown.
Brandon Ingram scored 30 factors to guide the Raptors, who dropped to 15-10.
Jordan Walsh, who’s performed the best basketball of his career through the Celtics’ current sizzling streak, was extremely energetic early, changing into simply the second participant within the NBA this season to document 5 factors, 4 rebounds and three steals in a primary quarter (the opposite: Luka Doncic). Walsh added a rim-rocking putback dunk early within the second quarter, although his three first-half fouls restricted his minutes.
The Celtics additionally received 14 first-quarter factors from White, who appears to have overcome the capturing points that plagued him for the primary month of the season. Since going 2-for-13 in Boston’s ugly dwelling loss to Brooklyn on Nov. 21, the veteran guard has shot 49.1% from the sector and 41.6% from deep over his final seven video games.
“When Derrick White begins hitting these pocket threes, it’s a fantastic signal for our staff,” Brown instructed Chin. “He’s taking part in nice, and we’ve received to search out methods to get him the ball.”
Brown, whose 13 30-point outings this season are tied for second-most within the NBA, heated up halfway via the second. He scored 13 factors within the closing 5 minutes of the half as Boston constructed a 22-point lead. Well timed scoring by bench gamers Sam Hauser, Josh Minott and Hugo Gonzalez aided that effort, with Gonzalez notching 5 factors in 75 seconds after subbing in for Walsh.
The Celtics racked up 77 factors earlier than halftime towards a Raptors staff that got here in ranked seventh within the NBA in each defensive ranking and factors allowed per recreation.
On the different finish, eight completely different Boston gamers, together with all 5 starters, registered at the very least one steal or block within the first half, resulting in frequent transition alternatives. Toronto totaled one steal/block throughout that span, and the Celtics held a 14-2 edge in fast-break scoring. And although the Raptors collected eight offensive rebounds earlier than halftime, they turned these into simply two second-chance factors.
The second half was a unique story. Down 87-64 early within the third quarter, Ingram keyed a 20-4 Raptors run that shifted momentum towards the house staff. A torrid 14-for-18 stretch vaporized Boston’s lead, with Jamal Shead placing Toronto forward for the primary time, 98-97, early within the fourth. Shead, the Raptors’ backup level guard, scored 9 factors and made 4 straight pictures through the rally.
The blown lead prompted Mazzulla to reinsert his starters sooner than standard. White, Pritchard, Brown and Queta all performed almost the whole fourth quarter. Walsh was a part of that group, as properly, earlier than fouling out with 2:16 remaining and being changed by Hauser.
Clutch shot-making from White and Pritchard made the distinction for Boston. The backcourt duo hit back-to-back 3-pointers to place the Celtics up 105-102, then did so once more to make it 113-104. A midrange make from White and late free throws by Queta and Brown closed the door on Toronto. White additionally blocked a shot and drew a cost within the closing seconds.
Sunday’s recreation was the Celtics’ eighth in 15 days, seven of which have been towards possible playoff groups. Their upcoming stretch gained’t be almost as draining.
As a result of the Celtics didn’t qualify for the NBA Cup quarterfinals, which tip off on Tuesday, they’ll play only one recreation this week: a Thursday evening go to to Milwaukee. The scuffling Bucks are 5 video games under .500, and their two-time NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is sidelined with a calf pressure.
After that, Boston could have three days off earlier than it hosts Detroit subsequent Monday, then one other three-day layoff earlier than the Miami Warmth come to TD Backyard subsequent Friday.
“Simply maintain going,” Brown instructed Chin. “Simply maintain getting higher. Keep humble. Only one recreation at a time. Simply continue to grow, getting higher and having enjoyable and smiling.”
