Ashley Landis/Associated Press
The Boston Celtics sent a message to kick off the Eastern Conference semifinals, earning a 112-94 Sport 1 steal over the Toronto Raptors.
Jayson Tatum scored 21, on the opposite hand it used to be a ambitious teamwide effort from a squad that apparently would possibly well presumably not omit on the model to a 17-point halftime lead. The Celtics saved the stress on and shot 17-of-39 from three-point vary as a team to pull away for a convincing steal the do they never trailed.
The Raptors had major issues offensively, capturing 36.9 percent from the self-discipline whereas stars Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet each and every struggled with their capturing. It averted any comeback opportunity for the defending NBA champions.
Though each and every groups earned sweeps within the first round, Boston used to be extra prepared for the birth of Round 2.
Indispensable Performances
Jayson Tatum, PF, BOS: 21 aspects, 9 rebounds
Kemba Walker, PG, BOS: 18 aspects, 10 assists
Marcus Honest, SG, BOS: 21 aspects, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Kyle Lowry, PG, TOR: 17 aspects, 8 assists
Pascal Siakam, SF, TOR: 13 aspects, 3 rebounds
Serge Ibaka, PF, TOR: 15 aspects, 9 rebounds
Role Avid gamers Step Up for Celtics
Jayson Tatum obtained his aspects, however he wasn’t the prime reason for the Celtics’ success in this one. In actuality, Boston used to be at its most productive with out him Sunday, especially early:
It used to be the relaxation of the team that stepped up, taking profit of its opportunities from three-point vary:
Kemba Walker used to be in total control of the sport, ending with with a double-double whereas his team used to be plus-25 when he used to be on the court docket, adding a highlight factual earlier than halftime:
Marcus Honest also did his job on each and every ends, adding 5 three-pointers.
On the opposite hand, the ideally suited aid in this one got right here from the frontcourt with Daniel Theis and Robert Williams every inserting together impactful showings:
Theis performed had 13 aspects and 15 rebounds whereas Williams performed with 10 aspects, 5 rebounds and two blocks giving the team a mighty-wished enhance from the center plight.
Pointless to claim, Tatum smooth impressed when he had the risk:
It will most likely presumably invent the Celtics very robust to beat going forward.
Raptors Fight on Both Ends in Forgettable Sport
There weren’t loads of determined takeaways for the Raptors, who fell on the aid of early with factual about the entire lot going irascible.
Bruce Arthur @bruce_arthur
Siakam three fouls, Gasol two fouls, the offence has to indubitably work to rating tidy appears to be like to be, the defence has blown initiate a pair of instances, they’ve overlooked layups, Kyle appears to be like to be look after he’s forcing moderately, and the Celtics are gunning. Other than that, though
Pascal Siakam had factual three aspects within the first half of, selecting up his third unfriendly within the first quarter:
This gave the impact to deflate the Raptors, who were unable to sustain their runs and decrease down the lead.
Serge Ibaka persisted his high level of play with 15 aspects and nine boards.
On the opposite hand, the long-established also showed his frustration whereas selecting up a flagrant unfriendly within the fourth quarter.
Kyle Lowry used to be efficient on the court docket, on the opposite hand it wasn’t ample to conquer the capturing issues from the relaxation of the offense.
Defensively, the Celtics continuously had wide-initiate shots no matter what form of protection Cleave Nurse called for throughout the day.
It used to be simply one game, however the Raptors want to invent major adjustments in dispute to flip round this sequence.
What’s Subsequent?
The Raptors will only hold sooner or later to regroup earlier than Sport 2 of the sequence scheduled for Tuesday.
