Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to a dominant victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, with the Celtics cruising to a 117-94 win. Brown scored 29 points, while Tatum contributed 27 points, propelling the Celtics to their second straight victory after a 14-point win over the Brooklyn Nets in their first NBA In-Season Tournament game.
The Celtics had a well-rounded performance, with Kristaps Porzingis adding 21 points and seven rebounds in just 28 minutes. On the other hand, Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Dennis Schroder and Jakob Poeltl chipped in with 14 and 12 points respectively.
Toronto, despite winning their last two games on the road, struggled from the three-point range, shooting just 10 for 37. The Celtics took advantage of the Raptors’ shooting woes and established a comfortable lead throughout the game.
In the third quarter, Brown took charge and scored 14 points, helping the Celtics extend their halftime lead to 24 points. He showcased his versatility by hitting a crucial three-pointer from the left corner and finishing with a powerful putback jam.
Tatum also made his presence felt in the fourth quarter when Brown was on the bench. He knocked down consecutive three-pointers, increasing Boston’s lead to 96-71. Tatum’s highlight play came when he set up Brown for an impressive fast-break dunk, bringing the score to 101-73 with just over 8 minutes left in the game.
With the outcome all but certain, Boston’s starters had the luxury of resting and watching the final minutes from the bench. The Raptors’ struggles from beyond the arc and the Celtics’ strong performance paved the way for an easy victory.
The TD Garden showcased its traditional parquet floor for this game, a night after the tournament game featuring a specially designed floor mandated by the NBA.
In terms of player news, Al Horford returned to the Celtics’ lineup after sitting out the previous game due to a knee injury. Horford contributed seven points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes of play.
Looking ahead, the Raptors will host the Washington Wizards on Monday night, starting a four-game homestand. Meanwhile, the Celtics will face the New York Knicks on Monday night, concluding their three-game homestand.
In conclusion, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s stellar performances propelled the Boston Celtics to a dominant victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics showcased their depth and versatility, while the Raptors struggled with their three-point shooting. With both teams eyeing further success, the Celtics and Raptors are preparing for their upcoming matchups.
