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MIAMI: The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 111-89 on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), pushing the reigning NBA champions to the brink of elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Celtics, who had lost two games in a row when the Raptors worked their way back to the best-of-seven series, took a 3-2 lead and could secure a place in the conference finals with a win on Wednesday.
They dominated defense to keep the Raptors shooting 20 percent in the first quarter, emerging from the opening period with a 25-11 lead.
The Raptors never recovered from the first hit to the body.
The Celtics’ 37 points in the second quarter were two more than the Raptors scored in the entire first half. They were trailing 62-35 at halftime and despite a notable surge in energy to start third, there was too much ground to make up.
“The work is not done,” said Jaylen Brown, who led all scorers with 27 points. He had six rebounds and made three of Boston’s five steals. “We have to go out and play with the same intensity.”
Kemba Walker added 21 points, four rebounds and seven assists, Jayson Tatum had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Daniel Theis and backup Brad Wanamaker each scored 15 and Marcus Smart Chipped at 12 for the Celtics.
Boston coach Brad Stevens held onto his starters for much of the fourth quarter, comfortably keeping the lead in double digits.
Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 18 points, Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each scored 10.
OG Anunoby, who used up the 3-pointer that gave the Raptors their first series win in Game 3, scored seven points, all in the first quarter.
“Our offense, we didn’t shoot, we weren’t aggressive enough,” Lowry said. “They were very comfortable from the jump. We weren’t as assertive as we should have been. “
Lowry played down suggestions that the Raptors were feeling the effects of the alternate day schedule in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida.
“No,” he said when asked if fatigue played a role. “We just didn’t play well enough.”
George and Leonard lead Clippers to beat Nuggets
Paul George scored 32 points, Kawhi Leonard added 23 along with a great late block and the dynamic duo helped the Los Angeles Clippers rally in the fourth quarter for a 113-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of their semi-final series. of the Western Conference.
Leonard did a bit of everything while grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out six assists. He also had two blocks, one of them late on a Jamal Murray shot to the basket.
Los Angeles takes a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game four is on Wednesday.
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