John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Here's What Stood Out as Tatum-led Counterstrike Overcomes Raptors' Haymaker
The Boston Celtics improved to 31-9, building on the NBA's best record by earning a 105-96 win over the Toronto Raptors in a Monday night matchup north of the border. The victory secures a second straight regular-season sweep of Toronto.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Monday's win was how Boston responded after a poor job closing the second quarter and an 18-3 run by the hosts to start the third frame, the period that gives the Celtics the most trouble.
Jayson Tatum, who finished with 19 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block, led counterstrike propelled the visitors to a 30-9 haymaker, with the soon-to-be five-time All-Star consistently attacking the basket to help his team regain its footing to the point where it could continue playing well as he rested to start the fourth quarter.
But the Raptors didn't go quietly. Overcoming a 4/32 (12.5 percent) performance from beyond the arc as Boston did an excellent job protecting the perimeter.
Parlaying 13 turnovers by the latter into 15 points, including four off of four giveaways by the Celtics in the final frame, helped them stay close in a fourth quarter where the visitors went scoreless for over three minutes.
But Derrick White, who matched Jrue Holiday for a team-leading 22 points, delivered the dagger on a corner three off a moonball skip pass from Tatum, putting Boston ahead 103-96 lead with 1:17 left.
Before moving on to a deep dive into Monday's victory, Al Horford deserves a shoutout within the introduction for his performance.
The former Florida Gator grabbed 11 rebounds, helping the Celtics win on the margins and limit Toronto to four second-chance points. He also produced ten of his own.
Now for what stood out in Boston's 105-96 win.
1. Whether it was attacking downhill for points at the rim or to facilitate, like when he found Derrick White on a drive-and-kick for a corner three, Jrue Holiday got off to an outstanding start to Monday night's matchup.
The two-time All-Star and RJ Barrett paced all participants with ten points entering the second period.
Holiday, who also dished out three assists, led a swarming Celtics' defense at the other end of the floor.
The five-time All-Defensive Team selection registered two blocks and a steal while quarterbacking a defense that limited Toronto to 25 points in the first 12 minutes.
2. Boston played what it defines as its brand of basketball in the opening frame, limiting the Raptors to 37.9 percent shooting, including 2/9 (22.2 percent) from beyond the arc.
Those stops fueled the visitors' up-tempo attack, making it easier to get into the paint to play inside-out basketball and consistently create quality, in-rhythm opportunities.
The Celtics shot 57.9 percent from the field and converted on 5/9 (55.6 percent) of their three-point attempts while assisting on eight of its 11 makes from the floor.
Their two-way performance allowed them to enter the second quarter with a 29-25 edge despite committing five turnovers.
3. Crashing the glass was crucial to Boston preserving its advantage throughout the second period. The visitors parlayed six offensive rebounds into as many second-chance points while shutting out the hosts in that category.
Al Horford and Oshae Brissett each extended two of the Celtics' second-frame possessions, helping them attempt four more shots in a quarter they outscored Toronto by two, 32-30, taking a 61-55 lead into halftime.
4. Speaking of Brissett, the former Syracuse Orange star continues making a compelling case for Boston's search for a big wing, a role president of operations Brad Stevens said he believes the team can fill internally.
The six-foot-seven wing fared well guarding the faster Dennis Schroder, forcing a stop that led to a Jayson Tatum transition three; he buried a corner attempt from behind the arc and got credited with a tip-in on one of his two offensive rebounds, two points that seemed to come off the hand of Pascal Siakam as he tried to keep Brissett off the glass.
All seven of the latter's points came in the second period, a quarter where he led his team in scoring.
5. Three turnovers within the first 4:30 of the third frame had the Celtics on their heels after a poor job closing the first half. Those giveaways and quality looks not going down, including around the basket, allowed Toronto to run the floor against Boston's double-big lineups, staging an 18-3 run to rally for a 71-64 lead.
6. But the visitors didn't commit another giveaway the rest of the period, as Tatum took over, attacking downhill off the bounce, scoring at the cylinder off of cuts, and dishing out dimes.
The soon-to-be five-time All-Star's nine points and six rebounds paced all participants as he fueled a 20-4 counterstrike, propelling the Celtics to an 84-75 lead entering the final 12 minutes.
7. The hosts hung tough in the final frame, including going on an 8-0 burst to pull within six, 94-88.
Boston going scoreless for over three minutes didn't help its cause. But a moonball skip pass by Tatum to Derrick White for a corner three put an end to that and gave the visitors a 103-96 cushion with 1:17 left.
That shot represented the knockout blow in the Celtics' 105-96 victory.
8. The Celtics are on to a matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs at TD Garden. That game will take place on Wednesday night and tip-off at 7:30 EST.
Further Reading
Ime Udoka Shares How He Felt After Celtics Suspended Him: 'We've Talked It Out'
Marcus Smart in Danger of Missing Return to Boston
Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
