CELTICS SHOW GRIT IN UPENDING RAPTORS
It took a while, but Pascal Siakam once again looked like a max contract player, turning in a dominant second half for the Raptors.
Unfortunately for the visitors, only Siakam and all-star point guard Kyle Lowry were good for Toronto, and the Boston Celtics came away with a gritty 112-106 win.
Toronto hit 18 three-pointers on 50 per cent accuracy and Boston struggled to get to 40 per cent from the field, but the Celtics dominated the offensive glass and forced the Raptors into 22 turnovers.
There was some drama late, with Kemba Walker drawing a charge on OG Anunoby with the Celtics up by four. The Raptors challenged the call, but it stood.
Later, the home side broke
Toronto’s press, but could not convert at the rim. Yet once again they corralled a loose ball, a constant theme on this night and the main reason Boston improved to 1-1 at the expense of Toronto.
Marc Gasol had another rough night, missing all eight of his shot attempts and Fred Vanvleet went just 2-for-11.
Still, the game wasn’t without encouraging signs for the Raptors.
Lowry had 29 points, hitting 6 of 10 from beyond the arc. Serge Ibaka was really strong at both ends, and Siakam showed his resilience and some newfound range, while OG Anunoby had good moments, too.
After picking up more fouls (two) than points in the opening quarter (zero), Siakam broke out for 10 in the second, before erupting for 15 in a master class of a third frame.
Siakam scored inside, blowing by defenders to get to the rim. And he connected from outside like never before, hitting five three-pointers.
Siakam finished with 33 points and eight rebounds. Walker had 22 for Boston and youngsters Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum had 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists apiece. Gordon Hayward, looking more like his old self, had 15 points.
ALL OF THE CHAMPIONS
A few members of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots were on hand for the game, while St. Louis Blues staffers worked through a maze to deliver the Stanley Cup champion team’s equipment while the Raptors held pre-game media availability, meaning it was all champions, all the time at TD Garden on Friday.
The Blues face the Bruins on Saturday in their first meeting since their Game 7 triumph.
“It’s news to me that they’re here. Welcome,” said a smiling
Nurse, who was asked a few times by the Boston media about his own team’s triumph in June.
When the PA announcer welcomed the NBA champion Toronto Raptors, Celtics fans let out a half-hearted series of boos. Boston has an Nba-record 17 championship banners hanging in the rafters.