The defending NBA champion Boston Celtics secured a 126-123 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night at TD Garden. The game was a nail-biter until the final moments, when Jayson Tatum delivered a clutch 3-point buzzer-beater to seal the win for the Celtics.
This victory marked the Celtics’ second consecutive win, improving their season record to 11-3. They currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, who boast a 14-0 start to the season.
Meanwhile, the loss further deepened the Raptors’ struggles this season. With a 2-12 record, Toronto finds itself at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Jayson Tatum’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Celtics Past Raptors in Overtime Thriller
The Boston Celtics edged out the Toronto Raptors in a nail-biting overtime clash on Saturday night. As the defending champions, the Celtics faced immense pressure to assert their dominance, and Jayson Tatum stepped up in spectacular fashion.
With the game tied at 123-123 and just 20 seconds left on the clock, Tatum hit a contested 29-foot 3-point shot to secure the win for Boston. Tatum, who once dreamed of playing for the Lakers, finished the game with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, shooting 7-of-19 from the field.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring, contributing 27 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in 43 minutes of play. Al Horford and Derrick White each added 18 points, while Sam Hauser delivered 19 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Neemias Queta rounded out the Celtics’ key contributions with 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds.
On the Raptors’ side, Jakob Poeltl had a standout performance, scoring a career-high 35 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. RJ Barrett recorded his first career triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists.
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Despite their efforts, the Raptors fell short, with Chris Boucher adding 15 points and Ochai Agbaji scoring 13 points. Davion Mitchell contributed 10 points and five assists, while Gradey Dick scored nine points.
The win improves the Celtics’ record and sets them up for an exciting game against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Raptors will aim to bounce back when they face the Indiana Pacers on Monday.
