NBA – Celtics show fight, powerful as contenders

NBA – Celtics show fight, powerful as contenders

By Ricardo Carbajal
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 01 Sep 2020

LOS ANGELES – The Boston Celtics displayed the firepower worthy of a legitimate title contender.

Jayson Tatum finished with 21 points and nine rebounds and all of Boston’s starters scored double figures in points to easily manage the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the Easter Conference Finals played inside the NBA bubble on ESPN. Wide World of Sports Complex in Buena Vista. , Florida.

Kemba Walker added 18 and 10 assists and Marcus Smart had 21 for the Celtics, seeded No. 3. Jaylen Brown had 17, while center Daniel Theis had 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Fresh off their four-game sweep of the Sixers in Round 1, the Cetlics didn’t skip a beat, shooting 47 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from distance. They started hot and shot their baskets early and often took a 36-17 lead late in the first quarter.

The Raptors, this year’s No. 2 seed and defending champions in the East, never recovered from the fierce bombardment.

As impressive as the victory was, Celtics coach Brad Stevens cautioned that it is a long series, a run to win four of seven.

“We’re not even in the ballpark to do it yet. We won a game,” Stevens, who just signed a contract extension with Boston, told The Associated Press.

Boston, which finished the regular season at 48-24, is without the services of Gordon Hayward, who is recovering from an ankle injury. But their performance in Game 1 proved they have enough weapons to beat the skilled Raptors of the championship.

Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 17 points and six rebounds.

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