RJ Barrett guides Raptors to victory over Celtics

Field Level Media|published: Wed 15th January, 22:17 2025

Jan 15, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) and guard RJ Barrett (9) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

RJ Barrett produced 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Boston Celtics 110-97 on Wednesday night.

Scottie Barnes added 18 points and nine assists for the Raptors, who have won two in a row for the third time this season -- their best runs. Jakob Poeltl had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Toronto. Gradey Dick scored 12 points, and Davion Mitchell chipped in with 10 points.

Payton Pritchard scored 20 points off the bench and Jayson Tatum added 16 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the struggling Celtics, who have lost three of their past five games. Kristaps Porzingis had 18 points and eight rebounds, Jrue Holiday scored 12 points and Al Horford and Jaylen Brown each contributed 10 points.

The Celtics had won the previous 10 games between the teams since Toronto won on March 28, 2022.

The Raptors raced out to a 15-5 lead but the Celtics came back to lead 29-25 after one quarter.

Toronto regained the lead with a 14-5 start to the second quarter. Boston took a 44-43 lead on Tatum's 3-pointer with five minutes remaining in the first half, but the Raptors answered with five straight points. Pritchard completed the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer to cut Toronto's lead to 55-53.

The Raptors shot 46.7 percent (21-for-45) from the field in the first half, and the Celtics hit 40.4 percent (19-for-47).

Toronto led 73-67 after Poeltl's dunk with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter. Poeltl's jumper bumped the lead to seven with 3:31 to play in the period. Kelly Olynyk's two free throws pushed the margin to 11 before Toronto led 88-82 after three quarters.

Barnes hit an 11-foot jumper to give Toronto a 94-84 lead with 10:13 left in the game. Bruce Brown's layup increased the lead to 12. Jamal Shead's 3-pointer gave Toronto a 14-point lead with 7:36 to go. Boston cut the deficit to 10, but Toronto responded with four straight points on layups by Poeltl and Barrett.

Toronto's Immanuel Quickley (hip) sat out his second consecutive game.

--Field Level Media

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