Final: Celtics 122, Raptors 100 - Second straight blowout win

The Raptors were the lone remaining undefeated Eastern Conference team in the bubble entering Friday’s showdown with the Celtics, thanks to the No. 2 defense in the NBA. In a matchup that was a likely preview of the second-round battle in the East, the Celtics put together arguably their best performance of the year. They came out of the game with a 12-2 run and didn’t look back for the better part of 48 minutes, leading by as many as 40 points in the fourth quarter on their way to their second straight blowout win. Jaylen Brown had a team-high 20 points for the Celtics, leading seven different players in double figures what was an incredibly balanced scoring effort for Boston’s regulars. Daniel Theis added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and Jayson Tatum added 18 points as the C’s improved to 3-2 in Orlando. Fred Van Vleet had a just 13 points for Toronto as a team-high as the Raptors mustered just 57 points against a relentless C’s defense over the first three quarters before the starters were pulled.

First Half Notes 

• Raptors open game 1/8 from field,


• 10-2 Celtics run in first five minutes. Raps focusing on Tatum, leaving Theis/Brown open a lot for easy looks.


• 2 points for 6:20 for Raptors, open 1/10 from the field, 12-2 Celtics run to start the game overall, Raptors shooting just 3/17 from the field at one point.


• C’s open 1/9 from 3-point range. Making an extra pass but not being rewarded.

• The Celtics lead the season series 2-1 but haven't faced the Raptors in 2020, with the teams three matchups coming in the first three months of the season.


• Toronto has had the best defense in Orlando thus far, allowing just 98 points per 100 possessions. a shark contrast to Boston's 114.9 points per 100 possessions (20th out of 22 teams) through four games.


• Kemba Walker is shooting a team-best 60 percent from 3-point range in the bubble. He will return to the court in this matchup after getting the night off Wednesday on the second half of a back-to-back.


• Gordon Hayward is leading the Celtics in both rebounds (7.8) and assists (3.8) per game during his four games in Orlando thus far.