In an unbelievable game, the Toronto Raptors prevailed after double overtime with 125: 122 against the Boston Celtics and forced a decisive Game 7. An outstanding Kyle Lowry (click here for his highlights) was the man of the game, from the first to the last minute the game was characterized by the highest intensity.
Lowry, who finished the game with 33 points (12/20 FG, 6/10 3FG), was also the one who put Toronto in the lead with four points in the second overtime, which was enough to win. Norman Powell also convinced with 23 points from the bench (6/11 FG, 10 of them in the 2OT), while Fred VanVleet needed 22 litters for 21 points (3/13 3FG). Serge Ibaka (13), Pascal Siakam (12, but 5/19 FG) and OG Anunoby (13, 13 rebounds) also scored double-digit.
Apart from the disappointing Kemba Walker (5, 2/11 FG), the Celtics showed a solid team performance. Top scorer was Jaylen Brown (31, 11/30 FG, 16 rebounds), followed by Jayson Tatum (29, 9/21 FG, 14 rebounds) and Marcus Smart, who even scored a triple-double (23 points, 11 rebounds, 10 Assists). Daniel Theis was also convincing (18 points, 7 rebounds, his best scenes are here). Game 7 takes place on Saturday night at 3 a.m.
The intensity was high right from the start, but this was not reflected in anything that could be counted. After three minutes, Smart had two fouls on the account, but already sunk three threes. Toronto found hardly any solutions in the offense, while the Celtics made the game fast after rebounds. However, since Tatum stumbled enormously (1/7 FG), the gap was only four points after twelve minutes, 21:25.
Little fell on either side, the exception being Brown, who was 17 points after a few minutes in the second quarter. The lead was now in double digits, reservist Wannamaker was also accurate. Ibaka’s three threes shortened to -5 because the Celtics’ attack engine also stuttered. With an 8-2 run Toronto it went into the break, 52:48 Boston.
Lowry towers over Boston: Raptors fight for game 7
With his first three of the series (previously 0/11) Gasol put on 51:52, the attacking game of the Raptors was significantly improved. Theis unpacked a crashing dunk, but VanVleet put down a personal 9-0 run and put the Raptors in front with five points. Goals from Tatum and Grant Williams ensured that Boston was only 4 points behind during this weak period. Zone defense also helped. 81:77 Toronto before the final quarter.
Brown kept the Celts close with two hits from a distance, Smart hit from the other corner, punishing the Raptors’ box-and-one defense. It went back and forth. Lowry sank his fifth threesome, followed by a sixth, deeper one. Theis shortened to 96:98 by tip-in and stuffed after a smart steal to equalize. The Raptors failed to hit a throw, but Tatum threw the ball away with 43 seconds remaining. Siakam misplaced, and Walker did the same on the other side. With 2.2 seconds on the clock, Toronto got one last chance, Siakam narrowly missed an almost impossible throw. Overtime!
The lead changed several times in the first extension, with Theis and Brown countering four points from Lowry. Walker hit his second throw of the evening, Powell equalized to 104: 104 and put Toronto in the front on the line. It stayed exciting until the final seconds, two freebies from Brown made it 106: 106, Toronto was not particularly creative in attack and Powell’s three-point with a game clock running out ensured the second extension.
Tatum opened this with a fastbreak dunk, and Theis was also involved with dunks several times. It was getting crazy: Powell countered a smart threesome from downtown. Another praise finish from Theis followed, whereupon Anunoby responded with a threesome. Powell hit a layup with a foul, Toronto was four points ahead. Tatum shortened, but Lowry also sank from the midrange. After a three from Tatum, Boston had to foul and got the ball back with five seconds on the clock. A final three from Smart landed on the ring.
The most important statistics
Boston Celtics (3) vs. Toronto Raptors (2) 122:125 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 3-3
- For a long time Toronto scored worse from distance and worse from the field, but stayed in the game due to the low number of turnovers. At the break it was only one (Boston: five), after that the game got more hectic, which led to a total of 13 Rapors turnovers (Boston: 16) – good values for both teams for 58 minutes.
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Due to a sprained ankle before the game, Ibaka’s use was considered questionable and even had to use a walking boot on Tuesday. Before the game started, coach Nick Nurse said Ibaka was ok. The Spaniard proved this immediately after being substituted on by booking two impressive blocks. Also in the episode he showed a strong performance.
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The third quarter went to Toronto with 33:25, with which Boston further “expanded” its previous playoff record, because: The Celts did not win the third section either against Philadelphia or against the Raptors.
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The start was a complete disaster for the Raptors when it comes to throwing from a distance. In the meantime, Toronto missed nine throws in a row and was below 20 percent. The substitute Ibaka provided revival and scored three times within a very short time. After that it went clearly uphill. In the third quarter it was 6/9, at the end a strong 40.4 percent (19/47).
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors: The Voices for the Game
Kyle Lowry (Boston Celtics): “The win was all that counted. It was just two teams that played hard. The coach always believed in us.”
The star of the game: Kyle Lowry
In addition to his outstanding offense with threesomes and several strong assists, the heart of the Raptors also sacrificed itself in defense (including two steals). Although he ultimately played 53 minutes and was completely exhausted, it was fitting that he hit the decisive throw. Best Celt: Marcus Smart.
The flop of the game: Kemba Walker
While the rest of the starters of the Celtics could more or less convince, Walker fell significantly. He hit only two of his eleven throws in 52 minutes (1/6 3FG). Although the game ran over him several times in extra time, he could not set any accents there either. With one or two good actions by him, Boston would be one round ahead.
The scene of the game
It was a decisive turning point in the game (even if many more were to follow): VanVleet managed a 6-point game in the third quarter. In a threesome, he was fouled by Smart, who received a Flagrant-1 for this. VanVleet sank its free throws. Then Toronto received the ball again and the Kandier hit from a distance. At 64:62, it was the Raptors’ first lead since the opening seconds.
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics: Series Schedule (Status: 3-3)
| game | date | Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Result |
| 1 | 30. August | 19 o’clock | Toronto Raptors | Boston Celtics | 94:112 |
| 2 | 1. September | 11.30 p.m. | Toronto Raptors | Boston Celtics | 99:102 |
| 3 | 4. September | 0.30 a.m. | Boston Celtics | Toronto Raptors | 103:104 |
| 4 | 6. September | 0.30 a.m. | Boston Celtics | Toronto Raptors | 93:100 |
| 5 | 8. September | 0.30 a.m. | Toronto Raptors | Boston Celtics | 89:111 |
| 6 | 10. September | 0.30 a.m. | Boston Celtics | Toronto Raptors | 122:125 |
| 7* | 12. September | 3 o’clock | Toronto Raptors | Boston Celtics |
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