Connelly’s Top Ten: Red Sox Crowned Championship Contenders

Celtics Loss Lowers Expectations

Curt Schilling’s Video Game Company 38 Studios Lays Off All Employees

Sox Rebound in Rubber Match after 4-1 Loss to O’s

Celtics Make Raptors Extinct in Toronto

The Celtics extended their preseason record to an NBA second-best 5-1 (behind the 5-0 Magic) by taking it to the Toronto Raptors with a 101-82 victory Sunday afternoon. The familiar pattern once again manifested itself as the Celtics (one guess as to how this sentence will end…) committed their first turnover 14 seconds into the game on an errant pass. Fortunately, this wasn’t an omen of things to come, as the Celtics would tear through the Raptors to take a 33-23 lead after the 1st quarter, thanks in no small part to a 76.5% field goal percentage.

The Raptors tried to come back, cutting the lead to five by the half. The biggest lead in the first half for Toronto was a muscular one point, achieved three times. At the half, the Celtics were on track for a terrible day of turnovers, committing 12 total. Once again, they were saved by an even worse opponent, who committed 13 turnovers in the half.

Toronto completed a comeback in the 3rd quarter, tying the game. However, the Celtics offense, which managed only four points in the first six minutes of the 2nd half, came alive, taking a 10-point lead at the end of the quarter. From there, the Raptors could not get anything going. The Celtics offense (and defense) continued to dominate, with the 19-point win also being the largest lead of the day.

C’s Stud of the Game: Ray Allen

Allen (20 points) finished the first half perfect, going 6/6 on field goals (including a three pointer) and 1/1 on free throws. At game’s end, he was 8/13 on field goals, 2/6 on three pointers, and 2/3 on free throws in 30:16 of playing time.

C’s Dud of the Game: Brian Scalabrine

In 10:19 of floor time, Scal did not take a single shot; the only positive stat he compiled was two rebounds. On the downside, he committed three fouls and turned the ball over once.

That’s What He Said:

“We’re sharing the ball, the ball’s not stopping. There are no ball stoppers on the floor.” – Eddie House on the Celtics’ preseason offense so far.

Game Notes:

• Scoring leaders: Kevin Garnett (BOS 21), Ray Allen (BOS 20), Hidayet Turkoglu (TOR 16)
• Field goal leaders: Ray Allen (BOS 8/13), Kevin Garnett (BOS 8/14), Hidayet Turkoglu (TOR 7/11)
• Three point shot leaders: Eddie House (BOS 3/6), Ray Allen (BOS 2/6), three others tied with one
• Free throw leaders: Chris Bosh (TOR 9/12), Glen Davis (BOS 7/7), Kevin Garnett (BOS 5/5)
• Rebounding leaders: Chris Bosh (TOR 8), Kendrick Perkins (BOS 7), three others tied with five
• Assist leaders: Rajon Rondo (BOS 6), Paul Pierce (BOS 5), Jose Calderon (TOR 4)
• Steal leaders: Ray Allen (BOS 2), Rajon Rondo (BOS 2), ten others tied with one
• Blocked shot leaders: Andrea Bargnani (TOR 2), Kendrick Perkins (BOS 1)
• Turnovers: 23 Toronto, 20 Boston
• Foul outs: Andrea Bargnani (TOR 44.9 seconds left in 3rd quarter)

Tags: Brian Scalabrine, Celtics, Eddie House, Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Toronto Raptors