The Toronto Raptors are coming off their worst loss of the season.
The Raptors were blown out by the Celtics 117-94 and the game was never really close. The Raptors led by as many as 6 in the first half, but then the Celtics quickly regained the lead.
Then in the second half the Celtics blew the game wide open. Jaylen Brown had 29 points and Jayson Tatum finished with 27 points.
As this game was all but over, Joe Mazzulla challenged a play with 3:39 left in the game with the Celtics up 27 points.
Raptors players quickly chirped and approached Mazzulla as they weren’t happy with his decision to challenge.
Even Darko Rajakovic wasn’t happy about it:
Things getting chippy?
Darko Rajakovic and the Raptors appear to take exception with the Celtics’ decision to call a coach’s challenge in a blowout. pic.twitter.com/UdhSxrmfoR
— THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) November 12, 2023
After the game Dennis Schroder spoke about Mazzulla’s decision to challenge a play with the game seemingly over.
Schroder wasn’t a fan of what transpired and feels the Celtics disrespected the Raptors:
Dennis Schroder on the Celtics challenging a play late in the 4th quarter:
“Up 30 you’re not supposed to challenge nothing. You won, it’s three minutes left. You shouldn’t disrespect us like that.”
(via @GwashburnGlobe) pic.twitter.com/kl8VHlebm2
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 12, 2023
Mazzulla didn’t agree or disagree with all of the backlash the challenge received:
Joe Mazzulla says the #Raptors bench thought it was disrespectful to challenge late in Boston’s blowout
“I think it’s my responsibility to my players first and it was a clear opportunity for me to empower the players, let them know that I’m coaching you.”
📺FULL #Celtics… pic.twitter.com/ftw81c41jr
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) November 12, 2023
Raptors look to get revenge over Celtics
The Raptors will see the Celtics again in less than a week on Nov. 17.
This will mark Toronto’s first In-Season Tournament game. This will be a perfect opportunity for the Raptors to use what happened as fuel and try to return the favor to Boston on their home floor.
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