TORONTO (AP) – Marcus Smart scored 21 points, Al Horford had 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Boston Celtics beat a decimated Toronto Raptors 109-97 on Sunday to end a two-game losing streak.
Josh Richardson scored 18 of the 32 points for Boston’s substitutes. Jaylen Brown added 16 and Grant Williams 15 to help the Celtics improve to 11-10.
Jayson Tatum hit two of 16 shots from the field in an eight-point performance, but he also had seven rebounds and a season-high 10 assists.
Fred VanVleet led Toronto with 27 points, Scottie Barnes had 21, Pascal Siakam 18 and Svi Mykhailiuk 12. The Raptors have lost six of their last eight games and are 9-12.
Without OG Anunoby (left hip) and Khem Birhc (right knee), who have missed six games, Toronto also didn’t have point guards Gary Trent Jr. (right calf shot) and Goran Dragic. The Raptors released a statement Sunday afternoon stating that Dragic received a permit for a personal matter and without a date for his return.
Boston did not have point guard Dennis Schröder, out with a sprained right ankle.
Smart and Horford each scored eight points in the third quarter as the Celtics took an 80-76 lead into the final period.
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