Celtics win by 54, hand Raptors 11th straight loss
Dec 31, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball while Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Jayson Tatum had 23 points and eight rebounds Tuesday as the Boston Celtics crushed the visiting Toronto Raptors 125-71 for their 10th straight win in the all-time series.
The loss extended Toronto's losing streak to 11. The Raptors, who committed 21 turnovers, have lost their last five road games and haven't beaten Boston since the 2021-22 season.
Payton Pritchard (5-of-8 on 3-point attempts) came off the bench to score 19 for the Celtics.
Derrick White (16), Jrue Holiday (14), Jaylen Brown (12), Sam Hauser (12) and Jordan Walsh (10) also scored in double figures for Boston, which made 22 of 43 3-point attempts (51.2 percent). No Boston starter played more than 29 minutes.
The Celtics entered the contest with three losses in their last four games.
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 16 points and 13 rebounds but was 1-of-8 from 3-point territory. The Raptors received nine points from Davion Mitchell, while Jakob Poeltl contributed seven points and 13 rebounds.
The Celtics scored more points in the second half (80) than the Raptors scored in the game. Toronto's 71 points were the fewest scored in an NBA game this season.
Toronto played without R.J. Barrett (illness) and Gradey Dick (hamstring).
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston's No. 3 scorer (18.3 points per game), missed his third straight game with an ankle injury.
Although they missed 10 of their first 11 shots, the Celtics had a 23-12 lead after one quarter. The Raptors were 5-of-23 from the field in the quarter, including 0-for-12 from 3-point range.
Toronto was within seven late in the second quarter but trailed 45-35 at halftime.
The Celtics used a 24-3 run to extend their lead to 87-51 late in the third quarter and led 90-53 entering the fourth. Boston made 10 of its 12 3-point attempts in the third, outscoring Toronto 45-18.
Boston improved to 2-0 against Toronto this season.
--Field Level Media
Cavaliers Facing Elimination Again in Game 7 Against Pistons
Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 6 Betting Picks and Predictions
Three NBA Teams Closer to a Rebuild Than Fans Realize
MLB Picks Today: Twins and Mariners Headline Friday's Bets
- NBA Playoff Best Bets: Cavaliers vs Pistons and Spurs vs Timberwolves Picks
- PGA Championship Picks: Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and More
- Wednesday MLB Best Bets: Jacob Misiorowski Strikeout Prop Leads Card
- Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 5 Best Betting Picks, Predictions
- Best Betting Picks for Spurs vs. Timberwolves Game 5
- MLB Picks Today: Best Bets and Props for Tuesday May 12th's Slate
- NBA Playoff Bet Picks: Spurs vs. Timberwolves & Knicks vs. 76ers Predictions

