Celtics get shut down
Raptors fire on all cylinders in handling the NBA’s best defence, turning game against rival into a one-sided affair
Defence fed into offence, offence set up defence, there was a flow and a purpose and an intensity of effort from the Toronto Raptors that fully fit with the magnitude of the game.
Given a chance to show the team they’re chasing for first place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Raptors came up with one of their most complete efforts of the season on Tuesday, routing the Boston Celtics 111-91 at the Air Canada Centre.
They took the best defence in the league and shredded it from inside and out, they defended as well as they have at any point this season and they turned a big game against a good team into a rout before the third quarter was over.
“I just liked the way we came out and set tone on both ends of the court,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said.
“You play as hard and with the intensity we did, it kind of sets the tone and gives you a rhythm offensively.”
The lopsided win puts the Raptors within a game of Boston but — most important — in a tie in the loss column. The Raptors are 37-16; Boston is 39-16. The season series between the teams is now even and the race for first is truly on.
“We’ve just got to make sure we understand that the product isn’t finished until you get to the playoffs, and you still have work to do then,” said Kyle Lowry. “We’ve got experienced guys in here and an experienced coaching staff that’s been through it before. So we know and understand the journey is far from over.”
Lowry made six threes while playing only 25 minutes and getting the entire fourth quarter off. DeMar DeRozan added 15 points and only played 29 minutes, the most of any Raptors starter, all of whom got another fourth quarter off.
“Hopefully, they’re getting rest,” Casey said.
“I hope they’re not getting out of rhythm or losing their rhythm a little bit because there’s going to be games where they’re going to be ramped up. They have to maintain conditioning, maintain their timing, maintain the rhythm and the feel for the game.”
C.J. Miles broke out with a 20-point game that included five of Toronto’s 17 three-pointers.
The Raptors also wracked up 29 assists on 40 baskets and held Boston to 39.8 per cent shooting from the floor.
Kyrie Irving returned from a threegame injury absence to score 17 for Boston; Terry Rozier had 18.
The Raptors turned the game in a predictable manner: an energetic second unit that was primarily responsible for stretching a four-point lead after the first quarter into a 21point bulge by halftime.
Delon Wright made five of six shots and scored 11 of his 14 points in the first half, Fred VanVleet had 10 as the Toronto’s second unit played its typically strong game.
“That’s our job as the bench, to come in with that spark and the en- ergy and try to change the game, change the pace of the game,” VanVleet said. “We were able to do that. We’ve been able to do it a few times this year. It’s just about being consistent and bringing it every night, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
It was just as the visiting Celtics had feared.
“Their starting lineup and their stars are well documented and their second unit may be the most fun to watch in the whole league,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said before the game.
“It’s pretty special to watch what they’re doing.”