Key moment
The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors entered the first half of Game 4 on Saturday night tied at 49 points each, but it didn’t take long for Toronto to pull out of half-time.
Boston opened the third quarter with three consecutive times, 55-54, but then froze for more than three minutes, during which time Toronto started an 8-1 that changed the game.
Game 3 hero OG Anunoby kicked off the race with a triple at 10:06, which gave the Raptors a two-point lead they wouldn’t give up for the rest of the match.
Pascal Siakam made a four-point game with a fadeaway bank shot, Fred VanVleet then hit a 19-foot pull-up jumper, and eventually Siakam finished the run with a close-hook shot to get the Raptors forward, 63- 56. The only point Boston scored during the stretch was a free throw from Marcus Smart.
It wasn’t a huge run for the Raptors at all, but it did give them enough cushion to last the rest of the game. Boston was never able to reduce him to a one-game possession after that point, eventually dropping, 100-93 in an evening loss in a series.
Key player
The Celtics didn’t receive many offensive productions on Saturday night, although Jayson Tatum was the only exception.
The third-year winger was the only Celtics player to make more than five field goals, as he finished 10 of 18 from the field for a record 24 points. He also landed 10 rebounds at the top of the team, also distributing three assists.
Tatum was the only Celtics starter not to end with a plus / minus negative, as he also finished in the course of 43 minutes of action. Toronto overtook Boston by seven points during his five minutes on the bench, and that was the difference in the game.
Box Score Nuggets
- Jayson Tatum led the game in scoring with 24 points. No other Celtics player has scored more than 15.
- Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry did most of the damage for the Toronto attack, scoring 23 and 22 points respectively.
- Toronto was nearly twice as efficient as Boston by 3 points, with a ratio of between 38.6% and 20%.
- Despite his mediocre night of 3-point shooting, Boston still beat Toronto from the field, by 44% to 39.5%.
- The Boston bench had a 24-23 lead.
- The Celtics never led more than three points, while the Raptors led up to 11.
- The Raptors doubled Boston in second chance points, 24-12.
- Kemba Walker handed out eight assists.
- Semi Ojeleye was the only Celtics player to finish with a positive plus / minus, finishing with a plus-6 in 11 minutes.
- The Celtics overtook the Raptors in the paint, 44-26.
Quote of the night
For us, just shake it off. 2-2. Playoffs. We are in the moment. We need to make the most of our situation. Go out and be ready to play, be ready to fight.
Jaylen Brown, looking forward to match 5.
