After a successful trip to Brooklyn, the Celtics returned to Boston to face the Toronto Raptors at the TD Garden. It would be the first meeting of these two Atlantic Division rivals this season and it would go right down to the wire. Boston has a growing issue, in their inability to protect the rim, as both Jakob Poetl and RJ Barrett dominated the paint. However, the shot making of Derrick White and Jaylen Brown kept Boston afloat and they managed to send the game into Overtime. Jayson Tatum showed he was the man of the hour once again as after missing a mid-range to win the game in regulation, he took a step-back three from way downtown to win it for Boston.
Over the last few games Boston have consistently got off to slow starts and that was the case again in this one. Luckily neither side got into the game offensively and it only took two consecutive three-point efforts from Tatum to give his team an 8-point lead with just a few minutes to play in the first. However, back-to-back buckets from Toronto meant Boston held just a two-point lead heading into the second.
The majority of the Celtics quality offense was delivered by their two stars – Tatum and Brown – but their stellar efforts were cancelled out by some incredibly poor defending, especially around the basket. The Raptors two big men (Poetl and Bouchier) combined for 50 points and 10 offensive rebounds. This has been the biggest issue for the Celtics’ defence so far this season as they have been unable to stop opposing big men from grabbing offensive rebounds and finishing around the basket. With Kristaps Porzingis’ absence from the lineup there have been little quality minutes from the Celtics bench centers outside of Neemias Queta.
Unfortunately, the second half was only more of the same. On many occasions Boston’s three-point shooting volume has overwhelmed teams, but their inability to prevent the opposition from getting offensive rebounds has meant that thus far this season that has not been the case.
After constant back-and-fourth the Celtics would have the opportunity to win the game with the final shot of regulation. They ran isolation for Tatum who managed to get away from his defender, but he missed badly on his mid-range attempt meaning the game would head to Overtime. Brown carried the offensive load for Boston for the majority of the extended period, and Boston would once again have the final shot and a chance to win it. Joe Mazzulla drew up the play for Jaylen to come off of two screens and take the potential winning shot, but he was pushed to the floor and Tatum was forced to go to work and try and get a shot off. He dribbled into a step-back three pointer and nailed it to give his team a huge victory in OT.
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