Possible future playoff opponents, Celtics and Raptors were played at The Arena Friday night. And these are the first who won 122-100 at the end of a much less contested match than one might have imagined. Led by Jaylen Brown (20 points at 7/14, 6 rebounds), Jayson Tatum (18 points at 7/14, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and Kemba Walker (17 points at 6/14, 3 rebounds 4 assists), the players of Brad Stevens have indeed wandered, taking up to 40 points in advance before easing off!
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Of the 4 confrontations between the two teams during the season, has now won 3. Boston (46-23), the first team to successfully defeat the Raptors (49-19) in the bubble, also won a second game in a row for the first time since the takeover. The starters of the Canadian team, including Fred VanVleet finished leading scorer with 13 points (4/14, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) only shot 16/45 in this game, including 3/19 with 3-points. Until then, Toronto (which missed 9 of its first 10 shots before quickly falling behind 12-2) had not been led by more than 6 points in the bubble, it was against the Lakers. This time, it only took 5 minutes to be 8 points behind.
Leading 21-14 after a quarter then 52-37 at the break, the Celtics (3-2 in the bubble) passed a 36-12 to their opponents on the last 9’39 of the 3rd quarter after Toronto (3-1 in the bubble) returned to 10 points at the start of the period. The score was 91-57 when Nick Nurse decided to abdicate by bringing in his substitutes for the end of the match.
Serge Ibaka came out early in 4th after taking a blow to the face on a drive facing Gordon Hayward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60MMnO3ThU0
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