Despite a 30-8 surge late in the game, the Toronto Raptors were defeated for the fifth time in six games on Sunday, losing 121-113 to the Boston Celtics.
Jaylen Brown had 30 points for the Celtics, who have won their last five games.
His main allies were Derrick White (27 points), Payton Pritchard (15), Anfernee Simons (12) and Neemias Queta (11).
White tied it at 102-102 from beyond the perimeter, shortly after a brilliant run from the crowd favorites. Pritchard and Brown added threes and twos, then Boston maintained control. Pritchard delivered a major blow with a long shot to make it 110-104 with 4:17 left. White was six for 15 on three-pointers.
Brandon Ingram had 30 points for the Toronto club, which has won just once since a nine-game winning streak. Scottie Barnes had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 14 points.
Ochai Agbaji delivered his best game of the season with 11 points, the same score as Immanuel Quickley. Jakob Poeltl collected 10 points like AJ Lawson, who was in his first game of the season.
Mississauga’s RJ Barrett missed an eighth straight game with a strained left knee. Jamison Battle was out with a sprained left ankle.
The Raptors will play again Tuesday at home, against the New York Knicks. It will be an NBA Cup quarter-final.
The Raptors started the game poorly, falling behind 10-3 after less than three and a half minutes. At that point, they were already at five turnovers.
The Celtics were thus able to lead 34-26 after one quarter. At the half, the visitors dominated 6-0 in steals and 6-1 in blocks.
Toronto fought hard, winning 32-20 in the third quarter. Early in the final quarter, Lawson grabbed a rebound on defense and made a three-pointer, cutting the Celtics’ lead to 97-96. It was this basket that punctuated the 30-8 surge.
Shortly after, two fierce rises to the ring from Barnes, in a span of 42 seconds, gave the Raptors a 102-99 lead.
White cooled the atmosphere with a sixth strike from distance, then the Celtics were the most opportune thereafter.
Lakers 112 – 76ers 108
LAL: Lebron James and Luka Doncic led the charge in this match. King James had one of his best performances of the season with 29 points and Luka Doncic had a hat-trick of 31 points (15 rebounds, 11 assists)
PHI: Tyrese Maxey finished the game with 28 points.
Nuggets 115 – Hornets 106
DEN: After a 52-point game, Jamal Murray scored 23 points in the first quarter and added 11 more to finish with 34 points. Nikola Jokic was one rebound away from the hat-trick, with 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.
CHA: Mikal Bridges had 24 points, eight assists and nine rebounds.
Magic 100 – Knicks 106
ENT: Jalen Suggs led his team with 17 points. Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane both finished with 16 points.
NYK: The Knicks have won 14 of their last 18 games. Jalen Brunson stood out with 30 points and nine assists.
Warriors 123 – Bulls 91
GSW: Brandin Podziemski had 21 points and Jimmy Butler and Quinten Post followed him with 19 points each
CHI: Josh Giddey was the top scorer with 18 points for Chicago.
Trail Blazers 96 – Grizzlies 119
POR: Jerami Grant was the most productive for the Blazers with 21 points.
MEM: For the Grizzlies, seven players exceeded the 10-point mark, and Santi Aldama finished with 22 points.
