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In a thrilling matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Toronto Raptors pulled off a surprising 110-97 victory against the Boston Celtics. RJ Barrett was the star of the night, scoring 22 points, while Scottie Barnes contributed 18 points, showcasing the Raptors’ potential to compete against top-tier teams.
This win marks a significant moment for Toronto, who have struggled this season but are now showing signs of improvement.
Raptors’ resurgence and key performances
With this victory, the Raptors improved their record to 10-31, hitting the halfway mark of the season.
Although they are still behind last year’s pace of 16-25, back-to-back wins against formidable opponents like the Celtics and the Golden State Warriors indicate a shift in momentum. Jakob Poeltl also played a crucial role, adding 16 points, while rookie Grady Dick chipped in with 12 points, demonstrating the depth of talent on the Raptors’ roster.
Celtics struggle despite individual efforts
The Celtics, currently sitting at 28-12, faced a tough challenge as they attempted to maintain their position among the league’s elite. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 20 points off the bench, while Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum added 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Despite their efforts, the Celtics could not overcome the Raptors’ strong performance, particularly in the fourth quarter, where Toronto extended their lead significantly.
Game highlights and future matchups
The game saw Toronto take control after trailing 29-25 at the end of the first quarter.
By halftime, they had turned the game around, leading 55-53. A crucial moment came when Barrett scored a layup to push the Raptors’ lead to 108-94, effectively sealing the game. The Raptors’ shooting from beyond the arc was a mixed bag; they started strong but finished with only 11 successful three-pointers out of 34 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Raptors will face the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Celtics will return home to take on the Orlando Magic.
