This time the Celtics are strong against the weakened Raptors

Without Scotty Barnes, defense Raptors is much more fluid, while without Brandon Ingram, their offense is much more predictable. Obviously a boon for Celticscarried by a hot Sam Hauser from 3-point range and Jaylen Brown who blackened the statistics, to quickly take a ten-point advantage, in a quarter in which – almost – everything worked (37-30).

The entry of Jamal Sheed is good for the Canadian offense, it helps Toronto to get back into it. Lost balls are on the rise on the side Boston and the gap is closing fast, despite Peyton Pritchard. Then we had to wait for hot hitting from Anferna Simmons, assisted by Jaylen Brown, to start a 14-3 run that put the C’s back in control. Even if RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley limit the damage as best they can (68-60).

As in the first half, the Celtics got off to a good start after the locker room. They went from +3 to +20 within seven minutes, behind Jaylen Brown who was as aggressive as he was altruistic – even up close – and Peyton Pritchard who was elusive as soon as he entered the offense. Except Brown’s teammates got complacent and let the Raptors go on an 11-2 run to recover somewhat, thanks to their bench (97-86).

Thanks to Ja’Kobe Walter, Toronto continues its momentum and gets back to within two possessions. It finally pushes Boston into a difficult “time for money”, in which the trio of Jalen Brown – Derrick White – Peyton Pritchard alternates, to extinguish any hope of a “return” of the Canadians. Pritchard, with his various mid-range baskets, plays the role of executioner (125-117).

Payton Pritchard (27 points, 8 assists) et Jaylen Brown (25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) therefore proved decisive for the Celtics, who recovered from the loss to Denver and recorded their ninth success in eleven matches. As the Raptors’ three-game winning streak ends.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Boston continues to seduce collectively. It wasn’t all perfect, with the ball in hand that could have been avoided or complacency when the margin was significant, but the Celtics delivered a serious and authoritative performance in front of their fans, after the disappointment of their last outing. Behind the Pritchard/Brown duo, which set the team on track and gave it some breathing room when the Raptors came back and scored, Joe Mazzula’s men were efficient on 3-pointers and in the paint, while spending almost nothing on free throws. Enough to prepare him well for the “back-to-back” planned against San Antonio.

– RJ Barrett is back in the infirmary ? Already without Scotty Barnes, Brandon Ingram and Jakob Poeltl, the Raptors also saw RJ Barrett leave them during the game. Trying to pass Sam Hauser to attack the circle in the fourth quarter, the Toronto player injured his ankle and he spun, forcing him to return to the locker room a little earlier than his teammates. Out for a month with a knee between November and December, he could be out again for a few weeks.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.