Eastern Conference Recaps, April. 5: The Boston Celtics Defeated The Toronto Raptors Without Jayson Tatum

Malcolm Brogdon’s 29 points off the bench led the Boston Celtics to victory against the Toronto Raptors

The Boston Celtics didn’t allow Jayson Tatum’s absence to affect them.

Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malcolm Brogdon scored 29 points off the bench to give the Celtics a 97-93 victory against the Toronto Raptors. It was the most points he scored since Jan. 14.

“Coming off the bench it can be a challenge sometimes, to be honest," Brogdon said. “That's where you've got to suck it up. You're not going to score as much. You're not going to play as much. I think that is what makes a great team — having guys that are able to do that. Guys that are able to sacrifice.”

Jaylen Brown recorded 25 points and 11 rebounds and Derrick White had 17 points.

Pascal Siakam led the Raptors with 28 points and 11 rebounds while Scottie Barnes had 18 points.

OTHER NOTES:

-Three New York Knicks players recorded 30-plus points to help them secure a 138-129 victory against the Indiana Pacers. Immanuel Quickley led them with 39 points while Quentin Grimes had 36 and Obi Toppin 32. Jalen Smith scored 19 points for the Pacers.

-The Brooklyn Nets’ 123-108 victory against the Detroit Pistons moved them closer to clinching a playoff berth. Mikal Bridges’ 26 points led them while Nic Claxton had 19. R.J. Hampton scored 27 off the bench for the Pistons and rookie Jaden Ivey had 23 points and 10 assists.

-The Atlanta Hawks have clinched a play-in spot at the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. After being sidelined a game due to the flu, Trae Young recorded 25 points and 16 assists against the Washington Wizards to give them a 134-116 victory. John Collins had 23 points and Dejounte Murray scored 29.

Daniel Gafford led the Wizards with a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.

-The Milwaukee Bucks have secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined due a knee injury, Bobby Portis recorded 27 points and 13 rebounds to help the Bucks grab a 105-92 victory from the Chicago Bulls. Brook Lopez scored 26 points while Jrue Holiday recorded 20 points and 15 assists.

While DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine struggled, Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.