The Toronto Raptors fell to the Boston Celtics 96-93 in front of an electric home crowd on Wednesday.
Here are six defining moments from a thrilling showdown that was decided in the final seconds.
The wild west in the east
The Raptors have struggled to shed their reputation as a poor three-point shooting team for years, but against the Celtics, for at least 12 minutes, they were as elite as a squad could be. Toronto matched its franchise-high in three-pointers made in a single quarter with 10.
Toronto
made six triples in the first four minutes alone. Combined with Celtics big man Neemias Queta knocking down a rare corner three, there was enough foreshadowing to suggest the shootout that awaited both teams.
Overall, they finished 10-for-18 from beyond-the-arc. By comparison, the Celtics shot 3-for-7.
Entering the contest, the Raptors ranked 27th in threes made (11.2) and three-point percentage (31.8 per cent).
Gritty defence during even grittier moments
Nearly midway through the second quarter, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla called a timeout to draw up a play. More often than not, especially against the Raptors, the Celtics thrive in these ATO sequences. But on this specific play, the Raptors broke up the action. This was because of Murray-Boyles’ tenacity and quick feet. He stonewalled Jayson Tatum, forcing him to pick up his dribble.
When Toronto took away the passing lanes, Tatum threw up a turnaround fadeaway jump shot. Murray-Boyles responded by both contesting the shot attempt and corralling the defensive rebound.
The Raptors were here to play.
A classic Raptors drought
Despite how brilliant the first quarter was, a comfortable win was far from a foregone conclusion. In the past, particularly against the league’s best teams, Toronto has often been plagued by a classic scoring drought. On this night, it started at the 6:27 mark of the second quarter.
For the next 4:07, Toronto failed to record a field goal until Jakob Poeltl hit a push-shot from the baseline.
They certainly tried though. Earlier in the quarter, when the Celtics had cut their deficit to 15 points, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic called a timeout. On the ensuing possession, Toronto attempted to get Ja’Kobe Walter open for a three with an off-ball screen on the weak side. The result? An offensive foul was called on Poeltl. Seconds later, Jayson Tatum hit a three while being fouled.
Electricity in the air even during awkward moment
With those in attendance at the Scotiabank Arena clearly sensing a shift in the air, there was an unusual moment at centre court after a foul on Immanuel Quickley was overturned (Boston’s really good at challenges). It took forever – or maybe a minute, which is still too long – for the ref to toss the ball. It looked like the official wasn’t happy with Poeltl and Queta’s positioning. The extended delay earned a few groans and boos from the crowd.
When the ball was finally thrown, a Raptor hit the deck before Celtics guard Derrick White came up with the loose ball. White drove to the basket, and dramatically, Poeltl swatted the attempt. As if the script called for it, it was Queta who came up with the offensive rebound before getting fouled. Queta went on to make his free throw before missing the second, much to the crowd’s joy.
That sinking feeling came early
There may not have been a more sluggish start to a second half than the one that transpired between Toronto and Boston. Every possession looked difficult for the Raptors. Credit to the Celtics’ defence, but they mostly forced the Raptors into awkward push-shot opportunities late in the clock. Several push-shot attempts came from Quickley, Poeltl and RJ Barrett. They mostly (and frustratingly) rimmed out.
Toronto’s three-point prowess also disappeared. After shooting 12-for-26 from three in the first half, the Raptors shot 3-for-9 in the third quarter.
Learning something about the rookie
Up to this point, Allen Graves has had a mostly questionable start to his first year in the NBA. It’s reasonable to grant an extended runway for young players to acclimate to the speed of the league, but they should still show flashes of brilliance or examples that they belong.
Those moments finally materialized for Graves against the Celtics.
Graves finished with 13 points and five rebounds. He also shot 62.5 per cent from the field and 75.0 per cent from three. He set a new career-high in points and three-point makes.
But it wasn’t just about the numbers. It was more about the environment.
With the Raptors backed into a corner and desperately yearning for a momentum boost, Graves authored a solo 8-0 run. His strong play carried over into the fourth quarter. Graves hit another three and secured several offensive rebounds, including one where he teleported from the opposite corner to the left wing.
This was an encouraging performance and one that suggests Allen’s role in a playoff sandbox.
