When the Boston Celtics And Toronto Raptors met simply earlier than 2025, the C’s handed their Atlantic Division rivals their worst defeat in franchise historical past. Toronto appeared to do not forget that 54-point loss, because the rebuilding Raps got here to play Wednesday evening and upset the Inexperienced group, 110-97.
Vegas had the Celtics as double-digit highway favoriteshowever they by no means held greater than a seven-point lead. The truth is, the Raptors largely managed the competition earlier than dominating the fourth quarter.
Boston scored simply 15 factors whereas taking pictures 30% from the sphere within the last body. In the meantime, the Raptors shot 40 p.c from the ground and grabbed seven offensive rebounds within the last 12 minutes, which helped prolong possessions and destroy any probability of a comeback for the Cs. To make issues worse for Boston, Toronto shot a formidable 54.5% general within the second half and located open pictures all evening.
After the disappointing loss, Celtics middle Kristaps Porzingis I had no downside admitting he was not proud of his group’s efficiency, in line with Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
“Tonight is shit proper now, and we performed unhealthy basketball,” he stated.
Porzingis was one of many few Celtics who had a good efficiency in Canada. The Latvian huge man recorded 18 factors, eight rebounds and two blocks in 34 minutes of play. He transformed seven of his 11 subject targets and was the one Celtic starter to shoot north of fifty%. Backup level guard Payton Pritchard additionally made seven of his 11 pictures, main Boston with a team-high 20 factors.
How unhealthy was the Celtics beginning lineup in opposition to the Raptors?
With out Porzingis and Pritchard, the C’s made 22 of their 69 pictures (31.8%). Celtic stars Jayson Tatum And Jaylen Brown mixed for 26 factors on 31 makes an attempt, together with simply 4 in the course of the essential fourth quarter.
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Beginning Companion Derrick White additionally had an off evening, placing up six factors in 21 minutes and posting a brutal plus-minus of minus-29. Regardless of some open appears, he went 1-of-7 from deep and made a 3-point try in his final three outings.
Like Porzingis, Tatum did not mince his phrases when requested about his group shedding momentumthrough John Karalis of the Boston Sports activities Journal.
“We’re going by means of some shit proper now,” Tatum stated. “It’s robust, however we stated after the sport we’ve to get by means of this collectively, as finest we are able to, keep collectively.”
The Celtics are actually 2-3 of their final 5 video games and 28-12 general. The defending champions should not panicking, however they know they will do higher. They usually should enhance in the event that they wish to preserving tempo with the league-leading Cleveland Cavalierswho’re 34-5 and in first place within the Japanese Convention.
Plus, Boston’s upcoming schedule does not get any less complicated. The Celtics have back-to-back matchups with groups they’ve already misplaced to this season, as they host the Orlando Magic on Friday evening and the Atlanta Hawks precisely 24 hours later.
After these residence video games, the C’s embark on a four-game highway journey to face the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, all in 5 days. Tatum and firm will really want to stay collectively to remain on observe forward of time if mandatory. The All-Star break is coming in February.
