The Celtics’ difficulties persisted as they were defeated by the Raptors 110-97 on Wednesday in Toronto. The Celtics’ record fell to 28-12 for the season, with a 7-7 performance in the last 14 games. The Raptors advanced to a record of 10-31 following a significant victory. The defeat ended a 10-game winning streak against the Raptors.
The Celtics opened sluggishly, trailing 15-5 merely minutes into the contest against a motivated Raptors squad. They executed a 29-12 run, demonstrating a strong response early in the second quarter. However, the offensive effort diminished as they trailed the Raptors by two points at halftime.
Although the game remained competitive in the third quarter, the Raptors decisively gained the advantage in the fourth quarter. They established a lead that reached 16 points, but the Celtics lacked a counter, being outscored 22-15. The storyline mirrored the recent defeat of the Kings, as Sacramento secured victory in the fourth quarter. The Celtics never posed a threat of mounting a comeback as they cleared the bench prematurely.
Payton Pritchard contributed 20 points from the bench to lead the Celtics. Kristaps Porzingis concluded the game with 18 points and eight rebounds. RJ Barrett recorded 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists for the Raptors. Jakob Poeltl recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds, achieving a perfect shooting performance of 8-for-8.
The Celtics will host the Magic at 7 p.m. on Friday at TD Garden. Below are four insights from Boston’s defeat to Toronto:
The sluggish performance persists: Although the Celtics have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, their recent action has not exhibited the same vigour as their season’s outset. The Raptors excelled in the fourth quarter while the Celtics appeared lethargic at times. They have maintained a .500 record throughout the last 14 games. The Raptors, despite being one of the poorest teams in the NBA, posed challenges for the Celtics in Wednesday’s game.
Defensive shortcomings: The Raptors demonstrated commendable ball movement during the game. This also led to the Raptors exerting significant pressure on the Celtics’ offence. Recently, the Celtics have experienced a sluggish period during which missed attempts have challenged their defence. However, the Raptors continued to advance and score, maintaining an 18-5 advantage in fast-break points. The Raptors did not excel in the fourth quarter, however it was unnecessary as the Celtics failed to mount a comeback.
Starter difficulties: The plus/minus statistics were unfavourable throughout a challenging overall performance. Derrick White recorded two field goals out of nine attempts, totalling six points, and had a plus-minus of minus-29 in 21 minutes of play. Jaylen Brown recorded 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field, with a plus-minus of -23 in 33 minutes. Jayson Tatum recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, but achieved a shooting percentage of 5-for-15. Pritchard ultimately concluded the game in White’s position despite facing challenges, albeit the Celtics emptied their bench early. The starters had an unremarkable night.
A challenging period lies ahead: The Celtics’ schedule remains demanding in the future. In January, they experienced a brief hiatus, playing only three games over a span of nine days, concluding with Wednesday’s match. They will compete in six games over the following nine days, commencing with Friday’s match against Orlando. This also encompasses a four-game excursion on the West Coast, featuring matchups against the Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, and Mavericks. Consequently, the challenges for the C’s are unlikely to diminish in the near future.
