The Boston Celtics celebrated a statement victory against the Toronto Raptors. Against the unbeaten champion in the bubble, the team led by the German national player Daniel Theis with up to 40 points and in the end won confidently with 122: 100.
Toronto Raptors (49-19) – Boston Celtics (46-23) 100:122 (BOXSCORE)
The Celtics could rely on a balanced scoring. Jaylen Brown was the best scorer of his colors with 20 points, but Jayson Tatum (18, 7/14 FG, 7 rebounds) and Kemba Walker (17, 4/10 threesomes) also had a good day. Daniel Theis posted a double-double in just under 28 minutes with 11 points (4/7 FG), 11 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Celtics’ great bargaining chip was defense. Toronto scored just 37 points in the first half and stayed cold the entire game. All of the starters together hit just 36 percent from the field and only turned three of 19 attempts from a distance.
At the break, Boston was already leading with 52:37, before Toronto fell to ten points in the first few minutes. After that, only the Celtics played, the section was finally won 39:20, with Walker scoring 14 of his 17 points here. The lead grew to 40 points, making the final quarter a show.
And there was more bad news for the Raptors. Serge Ibaka (2, 1/9 FG) had to leave the field early in the fourth quarter after being hit in the face by Gordon Hayward during a drive. The former Spanish international has not yet been diagnosed.
The Raptors’ best scorer was Fred VanVleet with only 13 points (4/14 FG). The other stars of the Canadians in Pascal Siakam (11, 5/15), Kyle Lowry (11, 3/6) and Marc Gasol (6, 9 rebounds) also disappointed across the board. The second place in the east is still almost certain for the raptors. The lead over the Celtics is 3.5 games, so Toronto only has to win one game to secure second place. The same applies to the Celtics and their third place.
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