No Tatum No Problem

By DJ Harding –

Going into tonight’s game versus the Toronto Raptors, the Boston Celtics would be without Jayson Tatum who was ruled out due to a hip injury. Marcus Smart and Al Horford would also be ruled out with neck and back injuries.

Boston plays the second game of a back to back after losing to the Philadelphia 76ers 103-101. In that game they would be without Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams who both played against Toronto.

The Celtics will have a two game series versus the Raptors playing them again on Friday April seventh.

Boston would outscore Toronto 31-28 in the first quarter despite going down 7-1 to start the game with a Robert Williams free throw being the Celtics only point within the first four minutes.

The Celtics would have a better second quarter outsourcing the Raptors 25-16 extending their lead to 12 points going into halftime.

The Raptors would win the third quarter and eventually tie up the game with six minutes. The score was tied at 82 before a Malcolm Brogdon three and a Mike Muscala Layup would give the Celtics a five point lead.

The two teams would trade buckets until the end of the game with a Celtics win 97-93. Malcolm Brogdon would lead the way for the Boston Celtics with 29 points. Jaylen Brown would contribute 25 points.

For the Raptors Pascal Siakam scored a team high 28 points along with Scottie Barnes with 18 points.

The Celtics have now clinched the second seed in the East while the Raptors have clinched a Play-In spot in the playoffs. Both teams will rematch on Friday.