Celtics vs Raptors: Boston Comes Back From 22 Down to Win 98-93 in Toronto
Toronto led 59-37 in the second quarter. Jayson Tatum's free throws with 25 seconds left put Boston ahead for good, and the Celtics won their fifth straight, 98-93.
The Boston Celtics spent Wednesday night in Toronto digging out of a hole they dug themselves — and finished the job in the last 25 seconds. Boston beat the Raptors 98-93 after trailing by 22 points, the Associated Press reported, for a fifth straight win that moved the Celtics to 10-2.
Toronto led 59-37 in the second quarter before Boston answered with a 29-10 run and retook the lead at 66-65 midway through the third, 98.5 The Sports Hub reported. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Derrick White added 19 points and seven assists, and Neemias Queta collected 11 points and 13 rebounds. Toronto played without All-Stars Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, the AP reported.
It still came down to the final minute. Tatum drove, drew a shooting foul with 25.2 seconds left and the Celtics down one, and sank both free throws to put Boston up 94-93. Queta then rebounded a missed R.J. Barrett layup with 17 seconds left and made both of his free throws, and Sam Hauser stole the ensuing inbound pass and converted both free throws off the intentional foul to seal the five-point win, the Sports Hub reported.
Boston did it without Paul George, who was ruled out with an illness after scoring 36 points in the first leg of the back-to-back at Philadelphia. The Celtics now get three days off before hosting the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on Sunday — the Texas stop on this story, and the next test of a 10-2 start.
