Los Celticsfrom Spanish Hugo Gonzalezreached this Sunday the third place of the Eastern Conference by defeating the Raptors in Toronto by 113-121 in a game that those of Boston They almost lost in the last minutes after leading by 23 points.
Jaylen Brownof the Celticsy Brandon Ingramof the Raptorswere the top scorers of the game with 30 points each. Derrick Whitebase of Bostonscored 27 points while Scottie Barnes (Raptors) and Neemias Queta (Boston) got a double-double.
Hugo Gonzalez just played 2.26 minutes. And although he scored the two shots he took, a triple and a dunk, his defensive work left something to be desired and the coach of the Celtics, Joe Mazzullaremoved him from the court amid a scolding.
hammer He pointed out at the end of the match that the Madrid player has to improve in defense although he praised his offensive role.
“He has to continue improving in the locksin it ‘spacing‘, in how understand the game“he declared hammer.
Los Raptorswho started this Sunday as third in the Eastern Conference, have been showing signs of fatigue in the last games. With today, the Canadians have lost five of their last six games.
Los Celtics They are on the opposite trajectory: after a hesitant start to the season, they are now with a winning streak of five games although in Toronto, they were close to losing it in the last quarter.
The first half The match went smoothly for those of hammer. Los Raptors They were never a problem, with a static attack and predictable and a incapable defense to stop long-range shots White o Sam Hauser.
Los first 12 minutes They concluded with a 26-34 in favor of Boston. And at restlos visitors They scored 43 more points to leave the score at 59-77.
The second half
Upon returning from the locker room, the same trend continued and the Celtics they reached their maximum advantage, 23 points with 64-87 with 8 minutes left in the game third quarter.
But from that moment on, and after a time-out of the Raptorsthe locals began their reassembled to end the period in 91-97.
The boost in defense and attack of the Raptors remained at the start of the final 12 minutes led by Ingram. And with 10 minutes left, the Raptors They took the lead on the scoreboard for the first time, 98-97.
The Canadians would be three points ahead. But a time-out of hammer recomposed those of Boston.
- Of the consecutive triples of White y Payton Pritchard They restored tranquility to the Celtics and they broke the scheme of the Raptors who were no longer able to mount coordinated attacks, which left the final score at 113-121. EFE
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