Celtics Power Past Raptors at the Garden

By John in Celtics, Featured, Top Story ⋅ January 8, 2011 at 9:15am ⋅ Post a comment

Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics reacts after he is called for a foul in the first half against the Toronto Raptors on January 7, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After an initial minute and a half, Toronto was no match for Boston, who defeated the Raptors 122-102 to take the season series, 5-1. After Toronto took a 4-2 lead (their only one of the night, which they held for all of 21 seconds), Boston rattled off two buckets to go up 9-4. Toronto closed in to 9-8, but the C’s made it 16-8 in quick fashion. Some quick play led the Raptors to eventually cut the lead back to one, 18-17, but again Boston had a good run to answer, with eight straight points. More of the same led Boston to a 34-22 lead after the 1st.

It was still difficult for either team to go shot for shot with the other, as each continued with streaks into the 2nd. But with 7:31 left in the half, that all changed. With three exceptions, the teams (with a good mixture of just about every scoring method you could imagine) traded score for score. The good news was each exception was Boston making consecutive scores. In between misses and turnovers, Boston pushed the lead all the way up to 67-45 at the half.

From there, the scoring stabilized. In fact, Toronto managed to squeak five points closer by the end of the 3rd. In the highest scoring quarter of the game, each team got contributions from many fronts. In between a few more mini stretches without points, the Raptors pushed the deficit back to 94-77 at quarter’s end.

The Raptors even pushed the deficit down to 12, but then the Cetlics put a dagger in the heart with 11 straight points of their own. The Raptors were never able to put together another meaningful run, and the Celtics kept beating back all attempts until the bell tolled for Toronto.

C’s Stud of the Game: Luke Harangody

Betcha didn’t see that call coming. 17 points and 11 boards gave him the best all-around performance of the game.

C’s Dud of the Game: Avery Bradley

Bradley missed both shots he took, racked up two turnovers, and was the only Celtic without a rebound. And without points.

Game Notes:

Scoring Leaders: Paul Pierce (BOS 20), DeMar DeRozan (TOR 20), four others with 17
Field Goal Leaders: Luke Harangody (BOS 8/11), DeMar DeRozan (TOR 8/15), Linas Kleiza (TOR 7/13), Andrea Bargnani (TOR 7/15)
Three Point Leaders: Ray Allen (BOS 3/4), Nate Robinson (BOS 3/7), Leandro Barbosa (TOR 3/8)
Free Throw Leaders: Glen Davis (BOS 6/6), Paul Pierce (BOS 6/8), DeMar DeRozan (TOR 4/4)
Rebound Leaders: Luke Harangody (BOS 11), four others with six
Assist Leaders: Jose Calderon (TOR 9), Rajon Rondo (BOS 7), Leandro Barbosa (TOR 7)
Steal Leaders: Five with two
Block Leaders: Ed Davis (TOR 2), Luke Harangody (BOS 2), Andrea Bargnani (TOR 2)
Foul-outs: none
Technical Fouls: none
Turnovers: BOS 16, TOR 13