Toronto Raptors have Boston Celtics’ attention as Atlantic rivals meet
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum tries to dunk the ball during the second half against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors will be out to upset the visiting Boston Celtics for the second time in less than six weeks on Feb 25 (Feb 26, Singapore time) and square their National Basketball Association (NBA) season series.
For their part, the Celtics will aim to avenge their 110-97 loss to the Raptors when the teams last met in Toronto on Jan 15. Defeat snapped Boston’s 10-game winning streak over Toronto that included home wins on Nov 16 and Dec 31.
The reigning NBA champions are 13-4 since that loss and won for the ninth time in their past 10 games on Feb 23 with a 118-105 home victory over the New York Knicks.
The Raptors, meanwhile, are 8-8 since beating the Celtics, including a 127-109 home win over the Phoenix Suns on the same day Boston defeated New York.
After some inconsistency in December and January, the Celtics have looked like they are ready to defend their NBA championship come play-off time.
They showed their quality against the Knicks when they had a 27-point lead dwindle to four points at 89-85 at the start of the fourth quarter. There was no panic as they responded quickly, taking a 20-point lead with four minutes left.
“It’s just all about staying poised,” said Jayson Tatum, who had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
“We didn’t get that lead in one play, and we’re not going to get it back in one play. Just keep building on making the right plays, understanding that no lead is necessarily safe, and they’re a good team. They’ve got good players. They’re going to make shots.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla believed the way his team played was as important as the result.
“The goal wasn’t to win by 20; I didn’t care if we won by one. It was (to) execute,” he said.
In their win over the Suns, the Raptors had 23 points each from Immanuel Quickley, R.J. Barrett and reserve Chris Boucher, who added 10 rebounds.
Scottie Barnes, who had 20 points and nine rebounds, had a significant role in helping to hold Kevin Durant to 15 points on five-of-15 shooting in an effort that showcased his defensive skills.
“I thought that Scottie set a tone for everybody else,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said.
“I don’t think that he is getting enough credit for how diverse he is defensively, and what he’s doing defensively for us as a team. But if you have eyes and if you’re watching the game, you see that this guy is elite.”
Boucher, meanwhile, provided a spark off the bench.
When Phoenix cut the Toronto lead to two points with five minutes remaining, he responded with a three-pointer on the next possession. He had nine points and five rebounds alone in the fourth quarter.
“Chris, as I’ve said many times this year, he’s the ultimate professional. I think he’s done a really good job. And he really brings a lot of energy off the bench for us,” Rajakovic added. REUTERS
