Everything you need to know about the Raptors’ 113-101 win over the Celtics in quickie form.
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Kawhi and his supporting cast put on a show: The Raptors' faithful showered MVP chants on their new addition in just his second game in Toronto and that was for good reason. Kawhi Leonard posted a game-high 31 points and 10 rebounds over 36 minutes, keying an explosive Raptors offense over the final three quarters that managed to put up 95 points against an elite Celtics defense. Serge Ibaka chipped in with 21 points from the center spot while Kyle Lowry (15 points, 6 assists) helped fuel a late 11-2 run that helped the hosts run away with a win in the closing minutes after being engaged in a back-and-forth affair for the better part of 48 minutes. Kyrie Irving had a team-high 21 points in the setback for the C’s.
Struggles up north continue for Boston: The Celtics dropped their seventh-straight game in Toronto and have now lost 12 of their last 14 north of the border. This was a far more competitive affair than last year’s battles (the Celtics lost by an average of 18 points) but it was a reminder for the C’s just how crucial homecourt advantage will be against this Raptors squad during the postseason. The race is on for the No. 1 spot in the East and losses like this should keep the C's motivated to keep it within their grasp all year long.
TURNING POINT
The Raptors closed out the game with an 11-2 run over the final three minutes, largely thanks to the savvy play of Lowry. The Raptors point guard scored five points during that stretch and drew a charge against Tatum at the two-minute mark by stepping in from the strong side to cut off an open lane to the basket. He also kept Irving from getting going late, limiting him to just one meaningless layup in the final seconds of the win.
TWO UP
Gordon Hayward: The road to recovery has been a long one for the 28-year-old but Hayward took a pretty big step forward on that front in Toronto Friday night. He played within the rhythm of the offense quite well, particularly in the second half when he scored three straight baskets during one stretch. He finished the night with 14 points and 7 rebounds in just 24 minutes of action, but his rhythm on the floor was a bigger story. He is still a ways away from 100 percent of his former self but this effort but had to be a confidence booster.
Al Horford: The 32-year-old finished just one assist shy of a triple-double up north, posting 14 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists over 33 minutes. He continues to be efficient from 3-point range (3-of-7) while his defense on Leonard in switches was stellar for the majority of the night. Leonard ultimately got going in the second half but it usually came in possessions that didn’t involve the All-Star big man.
TWO DOWN
Jayson Tatum during crunch time: The 20-year-old is clearly capable of being a No. 1 option but he had too much of a shooter’s mentality down the stretch in Toronto. The Raptors collapsed on him during multiple possessions in the final three minutes, producing a charge call and a big transition block by Danny Green. The improved court vision will come more with time but the second-year forward would have been better off sharing the ball more with an elite Raptors defense so keyed in on him.
Not supposed to help off strong-side corner, but Lowry gamble works w/ Tatum. Seeing/making that pass is next step in his development? pic.twitter.com/UHVipPsPVQ
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) October 20, 2018
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 20, 2018