Raptors bounce back to beat Celtics, 119-118

The Celtics final preseason game on Tuesday October 15th saw them travel north to Toronto for the second game of home-and-home series vs the Raptors. Boston fans were treated to Al Horford’s return to action, his first since hoisting the Larry O’Brien, on June 18th. As he has done all preseason, Coach Joe Mazzulla mixed things up once more, starting Pritchard and White in the backcourt alongside Brown, Tatum and Horford.

Toronto started the game out super hot, after a poor showing in the first of two games against the Celtics. Toronto took an early lead in the first quarter behind the white hot team 3-point shooting display. Scottie Barnes made 4 triples, Grady Dick was perfect with 3 from 3, whilst Davion Mitchell, Jamal Shead and Agbaji all chipped in one each. Dick and Barnes were solid all quarter, pushing the pace as Boston was caught on it’s heels to start the game.

For Boston, Jaylen Brown’s mid-range game was going early for the C’s as he hit on 4 of 7, good for 11 first quarter points. Jayson Tatum who didn’t play much in the quarter (6 minutes), came back into the game with 3 minutes remaining and instantly had a highlight reel play, dropping a hammer on former teammate, Bruno Fernando. The Celtics nine game winning streak was looking in jeopardy early as Toronto went up big to start with a 46-27 lead after a quarter.

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With Sam Hauser and Jrue Holiday in street clothes for this contest, Mazzulla looked to Jordan Walsh once more, continuing his good form in preseason. He was joined by Jayson Tatum who started to orchestrate things perfectly alongside a double big lineup of Tillman and Kornet, Payton Pritchard rounded out in the second unit. Payton Pritchard hit on 3 quick three-pointers to start the second quarter as Boston went on a lightning quick 10-point run to get well and truly back into the contest.

Midway through the second, Toronto had only added 6 points to the scoreboard, compared to Boston’s 19-point early quarter start. Turnovers started to creep into the game for Toronto as things got very sloppy as started to dictate the pace defensively. The Raptors hot shooting started to dry up and they didn’t hit a single three-pointer in the entire second quarter finishing 0-8 from deep.

Getting the ball into the interior was critical for Boston as they scratched into the lead late in the quarter behind a strong post AND1 play from Jaylen Brown. Boston completely turned around the 3-point shooting and ended the quarter on a Jayson Tatum triple and a halftime lead of 67 to 66 in front of a sparse Scotiabank Arena.

Jacob Poeltl solid start to the third put pressure back on Boston as he had a tip dunk, jumper and layup to pace the Raptors and push out a 6-point lead to start the third. Grady Dick continued to impress for Toronto as he pushes for a starting place under coach Darko Rajakovic. For Boston, Derrick White was steady throughout the third and started to impact the game on both ends with 3 blocks and 4 three-pointers through three. Tatum went to work on both the inside and outside finishing the quarter with 21 points total. Although his stroke seems to be improved, Jayson finished out the quarter with 4-12 from 3-point land, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Jaylen Brown added 19 points, with 7-9 free throws on the night, with Payton Pritchard added his own 15 points on 5-8 from three to end the quarter down 86-97.

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To my surprise, Coach Mazzulla kept both Tatum and White in the game to start the 4th quarter as the Celtics ramp up preparations for a home opener against New York in a week’s time. Boston rallied with urgency to start the quarter and behind back-to-back triples from Derrick White and Jayson Tatum as the team raced back to within 5. However with the score at 103-98 Toronto, coach Mazzulla cleared the bench and brought in the deeper rotation players as the starting lineup sans Payton Pritchard entered the contest.

The final 5 minutes was all G-Leaguers and and two-way players and boy was it entertaining. A JD Davison pull up triple off the dribble to register a four point play and pull the Celtics close. A fighting Celtics screamed back into the game as Jordan Walsh ploughed past two Raptors to tie the game at 115 apiece with 48 seconds remaining. Young Raptors guard DJ Carton added a pair of free throws after being fouled on a broken play dunk attempt. JD Davison’s massive 5 minute stretch continued just a play later adding a step back three for the lead with a 118-117 score and 25 seconds to go. DJ Carton then iced a pair of free throws to gain back the lead. Boston had a final chance to win but Jordan Walsh elevated late to finish but was met at the summit and denied, the Raptors prevailing 119-118.

Boston next host New York at home to raise Banner number 19 and hand out championship rings next Tuesday, the 22nd October at TD Garden.