Back-to-back, the Celtics decided to rest Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Result, the start of the meeting is logically to the advantage of the Raptors, for whom this match is of paramount importance in terms of the classification (13-9). But Joe Mazzulla’s players are solid collectively this season. Driven by their public, they prove it once again tonight, and end the first quarter with a 3-point lead against a Toronto team that has gradually died out after a good start (31-28) .
Under the impetus of an excellent Malcolm Brogdon, Boston soared to the score by taking a 10-point lead (50-40). Clumsy and overwhelmed by the pace imposed by the Celtics, the Raptors are totally off topic with only 16 points scored in the second quarter. Jaylen Brown’s teammates do not need to be asked, and return to the locker room with a 12-point lead (56-44).
Toronto enters seriously in the 3rd quarter, and comes back to 8 points on a long distance basket signed OG Anunoby (61-53). Despite strong resistance from the Celtics, the Raptors returned to the game under the impetus of Pascal Siakam, who reduced the gap to 5 points (70-65). Boston still retains a 7-point lead at the start of the 4th quarter (79-72).
On a 3-point basket, Fred Vanvleet, discreet until then, brings the Raptors to only 3 lengths (82-79). Well served by Jaylen Brown, Mike Muscala scored from 3-point range to give the Celtics a 6-point lead three minutes from the end (92-86). The Raptors will not recover, and bow 97-93.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Solid Celtics. This Boston team is impressively resourceful. While they are already preparing for the playoffs, the Celtics are managing their workforce. On Wednesday, Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams were rested. Tonight, it was the turn of Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart and Al Horford to breathe. However, this workforce management does not prevent them from responding on the floor. After hooking Philadelphia to the end the day before, Joe Mazzulla’s players disposed of the Raptors at TD Garden. Despite the absentees, the ball circulates very well, everyone is making an effort, and the “role players” are present.
– The bad operation of the Raptors. Toronto has just wasted a huge cartridge. Given the absences on the Celtics side, this match represented a golden opportunity, and it is a loss which is expensive in accounting terms, because at the same time, the Hawks overcame the Wizards, relegating the Raptors to 9th place in ballast. From now on, it will take a miracle for Toronto to get this 8th place, because the last two games of the regular season will be against the Celtics, once again, and the Bucks. Suffice to say that the mission promises to be difficult for the players of Nick Nurse…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Malcolm Brogdon. Off the bench, he was once again excellent with 29 points at 10/19 shooting including 4/6 from 3-pointers.
✅ Pascal Siakam. He carried the Raptors on his back but to no avail. He finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
⛔️ Fred VanVleet. He completely missed his subject with an ugly 2/14 shooting including 1/12 from 3-pointers.
⛔️ Grant Williams. Just 2 points at 1/5 shooting in 19 minutes…
⛔️ The Raptors’ 3-point address. It was abominable, they shot 6/33 from afar, or 18.2%.
THE FOLLOWING
Celtics (55-25) And Raptors (40-40): second round, still in Boston, on the night of Friday to Saturday (1h30).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
