All the Boston Celtics needed to get over their recent skid was a return to the TD Garden in Boston, and it worked on Wednesday night against the best team in the Eastern Conference. Boston ended the game on an 11-2 run, as they snapped their three-game losing streak with a 117-108 win over the Toronto Raptors. The win for the Celtics is their seventh in a row on their home floor, as they were led by Kyrie Irving's major play down the stretch, including a deep three-pointer from near midcourt that was seemingly the nail in the coffin. That major shot came with under two minutes to play, as Irving finished with 27 points, including 10 points in the final 12 minutes, helping the Celtics' run late that extended to 17-4.
Irving had a career-high 18 assists on the night, six of which came in the fourth quarter, proving that he was all in on the Celtics, despite rumors of his frustrations with the team. He did miss their previous game with a bruised right leg. The star point guard was helped out by 24 points from Al Horford, while Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Tatum chipped in with a huge three-pointer late, helping the Celtics drop the Raptors in to a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night to help themselves gain a game.
Kawhi Leonard had 33 points to lead the Raptors, but the former Finals MVP missed the entire basket on a big three-point try during the wild finish. Serge Ibaka had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. They are technically percentage points behind the Bucks for the top spot in the East, but that won't matter in the end, although, Toronto couldn't take care of their rivals, despite getting off to an 18-7 start in the first quarter.
The Celtics will stay home to host the Grizzlies on Friday night, while the Raptors return home for a matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
Irving had a career-high 18 assists on the night, six of which came in the fourth quarter, proving that he was all in on the Celtics, despite rumors of his frustrations with the team. He did miss their previous game with a bruised right leg. The star point guard was helped out by 24 points from Al Horford, while Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Tatum chipped in with a huge three-pointer late, helping the Celtics drop the Raptors in to a first-place tie with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night to help themselves gain a game.
Kawhi Leonard had 33 points to lead the Raptors, but the former Finals MVP missed the entire basket on a big three-point try during the wild finish. Serge Ibaka had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. They are technically percentage points behind the Bucks for the top spot in the East, but that won't matter in the end, although, Toronto couldn't take care of their rivals, despite getting off to an 18-7 start in the first quarter.
The Celtics will stay home to host the Grizzlies on Friday night, while the Raptors return home for a matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.