Payton Pritchard comes alive in Celtics barnburner 106-104 win vs. Raptors

With out Jayson Tatum after which Marcus Sensible and Robert Williams within the second half, the Celtics gutted out a win north of their border, beating the Raptors 106-104 for his or her ninth straight win.

Toronto’s 20-27 report is marked by poor taking pictures; they’re twenty eighth within the league at three-point taking pictures share (and have been with out Fred Van Vleet) and subsequently, solely common 23.1 assists per sport. Nonetheless, the Raptors are large throughout the board with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Scottie Barnes filling out their wing rotation. The Raptors outscored the Celtics within the paint 54-to-36 and blocked 10 photographs.

The Raptors’ weaknesses, nevertheless, are the Celtics’ strengths. Boston hit 16-of-35 from behind the arc. Payton Pritchard performed the complete fourth quarter and hit all 4 of his three-pointers.

With Boston down three key rotation gamers, a number of position gamers from the second unit stepped up. Grant Williams scored 18 factors within the first half together with 3-of-5 from behind the arc and completed with a career-high 25 factors with 5 rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon continued his streak of sturdy play with 23 factors on an environment friendly 8-of-16 taking pictures. Jaylen Brown lead the crew in scoring with 27 factors, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

The ultimate seconds, not not like Thursday evening’s basic towards the Warriors, have been outlined by Al Horford. With the Celtics nursing a two-point lead, the 36-year-old defended two drives by Gary Trent Jr. and Siakam, the latter resulting in a bounce ball. After profitable the toss up, Horford locked up Barnes for one more bounce which he received vs. a participant fifteen years his junior. Within the closing seconds, it was Horford once more sealing the win with a steal at midcourt.

What is likely to be the larger story transferring ahead are the losses of Marcus Sensible and Robert Williams. After preventing for a defensive rebound, Jaylen Brown fell backward into Time Lord’s knee. Williams stayed within the sport and performed 15+ minutes within the first half, however was dominated out at halftime.

The extra urgent concern is Sensible. Within the closing minutes of the second quarter, Sensible was curling round an Al Horford display, slipped, and turned his proper ankle. He crumpled to the ground and stayed down for a number of minutes earlier than two Celtics personnel helped him to the locker room, placing little weight on his proper leg.

The Celtics now journey south to Florida to complete off season sequence towards the Orlando Magic and Miami Warmth in a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday evening earlier than returning residence for a five-game homestand.