In a thrilling overtime finish, Jayson Tatum nailed a buzzer-beating three-pointer to secure a 126-123 victory for the Boston Celtics over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.
The win extends Boston’s impressive record to 11-3, while the Raptors, who have now lost seven consecutive games, remain winless on the road this season. The dramatic finish underscored Tatum’s role as Boston’s primary closer, delivering when it mattered most in a game that saw both teams go back-and-forth in the final moments.
Tatum finished the game with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 27 points to help propel the Celtics in the overtime period. Al Horford and Derrick White also contributed with 18 points each, rounding out a balanced scoring attack. Despite a valiant effort from Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl, who scored a career-high 35 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, the Raptors fell short in the final seconds.
Poeltl’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. He connected on 16 of 19 attempts from the field, showing efficiency and finishing around the rim. His aggressive play inside helped the Raptors maintain a lead for much of the game, especially in the paint, where Toronto outscored Boston 76-42. RJ Barrett also had a strong showing, finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but his key miss in the final minute of regulation ultimately proved costly.
With the game tied at 112 in regulation, the Raptors had a chance to take the lead after Barrett hit a runner in the lane and drew a foul from Brown. However, Barrett missed the ensuing free throw, keeping the game tied and giving the Celtics an opening. On the next possession, Neemias Queta, starting in place of Jrue Holiday (who was sidelined with left knee tendinopathy), made a crucial driving layup to give Boston a two-point lead, adding further drama to the tense closing minutes.
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The Raptors had one last chance to win in regulation, but with the score knotted at 123 in overtime, a critical coach’s challenge by Toronto overturned an out-of-bounds call that had initially gone in Boston’s favor. However, Barrett’s driving layup attempt was rejected by Queta, who blocked the shot cleanly to give the Celtics the ball with 20.2 seconds left. From there, Tatum took control, hitting the game-winning three-pointer to secure the victory for Boston.
While the Celtics’ victory was a testament to their resilience, it also highlighted some defensive struggles. The Raptors dominated the paint, scoring 76 points inside compared to just 42 for the Celtics. This trend of allowing easy points in the paint has been a recurring issue for Boston, especially after their recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Cup, where they allowed 68 points in the paint. Despite this, Boston’s ability to execute in the clutch ultimately sealed the win.
For the Raptors, this loss was another painful chapter in their early-season struggles. Despite Poeltl’s breakout performance, the Raptors’ inability to close out games in key moments continued to haunt them. Toronto’s defense, while improved at times, could not contain the Celtics’ late-game execution, and their offensive efficiency dropped off in overtime.
In terms of injuries, the Raptors were already dealing with key absences, including Scottie Barnes, who is recovering from an orbital fracture, and Bruce Brown, who is nursing a knee injury. They dodged another major injury scare when Bruno Fernando landed awkwardly on a teammate’s foot in the second quarter, but fortunately, he was able to return to the game after receiving medical attention.
Looking at the Celtics, the win was a welcome one, particularly after their close call in regulation. They now improve to 11-3 on the season, avoiding a third loss at home in what has otherwise been a strong start. However, their defense will need to tighten up, especially with tough matchups looming. The Celtics’ next game will see them resume NBA Cup play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, where they’ll look to continue building momentum.
For the Raptors, this loss was another disappointing result, and they’ll now prepare to face the Indiana Pacers at home on Monday, still searching for their first road win of the season. With their playoff aspirations already beginning to dwindle, Toronto will need to address their late-game execution issues if they hope to turn things around in the coming weeks.
Takeaways:
Raptors: Jakob Poeltl’s career-high 35 points, including an efficient 16-of-19 shooting night, showcased his growing importance to the team. However, Toronto’s inability to finish games, particularly in crunch time, continues to plague them as they look for their first road win of the season.
Celtics: Boston’s victory was a testament to their ability to close games, but their defensive lapses, especially in the paint, need to be addressed moving forward. Neemias Queta’s key block in overtime and Tatum’s clutch three-pointer were crucial moments that helped the Celtics avoid their third home loss of the season.
Key Stat: The Raptors dominated the paint, outscoring the Celtics 76-42, a major factor in keeping the game competitive. Despite this, the Celtics’ clutch play in the final moments helped them secure the win.
Up Next:
The Raptors will host the Indiana Pacers on Monday, looking to snap their seven-game losing streak. The Celtics will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA Cup play on Tuesday, with both teams looking to build on strong starts to the season.
As both teams prepare for their next matchups, Tatum’s late-game heroics will surely be the talk of the night in Boston, as the Celtics continue their pursuit of an Eastern Conference title.