The Toronto Raptors pulled off the biggest upset of the season over the Boston Celtics 110-97.
Impressive performance
This was the Raptors’ best game this season. Toronto’s offense was running smoothly as the ball was being shared and everyone was touching it. Scottie Barnes had a solid 18 points and 9 assists. One of his dimes was a highlight reel pass to Jakob Poeltl in the third quarter. Poeltl was a steady force in this one scoring 16 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting from the field and RJ Barrett was brilliant putting up 22 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Overall, the Raptors finished with 35 assists on 44 made field goals and they only had 10 turnovers. They also did a solid job defensively holding the Celtics to 39.1 percent shooting from the field and 34.8 percent shooting from three. The Raptors turned in their best two-way performance of the season on their way to victory.
Jamal Shead’s emergence
Shead continues to get better. In 15 minutes against the Celtics he scored 8 points from off the bench on 3-for-6 shooting from the field and 2-for-4 shooting from three. Shead has made significant progress with his three-point shot as of late hitting 10 of his last 14 three-point attempts. He looks very comfortable shooting the ball and has shown no hesitation. Shead hit a three in the fourth quarter to extend Toronto’s lead to 14 points as they never looked back. Shead has been encouraged to take more shots as he revealed prior to the game that he was cussed out by Barrett for passing up open looks, per TSN’s Josh Lewenberg. If Shead can continue to shoot the ball this efficiently it will make him a valuable two-way force for the Raptors.
Another injury
With Immanuel Quickley already out with a left groin sprain, the Raptors suffered another injury to a key rotation player. Ochai Agbaji exited in the second quarter with a right-hand injury and had to get three stitches, the Raptors said. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game. It’s unclear how much time he’ll miss.
Next on tap
The Raptors will look to make it three wins in a row when they head to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Jan. 17.
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