The Toronto Raptors come up short as they lose to the Boston Celtics 120-118.
The Raptors got off to a poor start in this one and their defense was non existent. As a result Boston was able to lead by as many as 20.
However, the Raptors did not go away. They tightened up their defense and made a run in the fourth outscoring the Celtics 32-21.
The Raptors carried a 4 point lead late in the game, before Derrick White made a couple of clutch shots down the stretch.
Scottie Barnes had a chance to tie up the game late in regulation but he missed on a good look.
He finished with a team-high 30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 1 steal. He also hit a career-high 7 three-pointers. Barnes was huge down the stretch after getting off to a slow start.
Pascal Siakam chipped in with a big game as well. He had 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He was 10-18 from the field and 2-5 from three.
Both players did the heavy lifting in the starting lineup.
Dennis Schroder scored 15 points from off the bench in 25 minutes and Jalen McDaniels gave the Raptors some big minutes scoring 13 points which included 2 threes.
The Raptors made a strong rally late but it wasn’t enough. The Celtics were too much to handle when it mattered.
Derrick White was clutch scoring 21 points and Jaylen Brown finished with 31 points. The Celtics remain undefeated at home at 16-0 and win this game despite not having Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
This was a deflating loss for the Raptors. It looked like they were about to get a signature win in Boston but instead they suffer their 7th straight loss against them.
The Raptors are now 0-9 against the Atlantic Division this season.
Next on tap
The Raptors now have to get ready to take on Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have lost 28 games in a row and with one more loss they will officially set the longest losing streak in NBA history.
The Raptors look to avoid being the team that loses to the Pistons as Detroit will give Toronto everything they got to try to end the streak.
This is shaping up to be a true showdown to end the year.
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