Celtics Wrap: Boston’s Offense, Defense Dominates Raptors In 122-100 Win

The Celtics brought everything they had Friday night against the Raptors.

In what was expected to be a close game, Boston played playoff-caliber basketball for all four quarters, allowing Toronto only to notch 14 first-quarter points.

The ball movement was close to perfect, the defense was incredible and the offense was on fire in the C’s 122-100 statement win over the defending NBA champions.

Jaylen Brown (20), Jayson Tatum (18), Kemba Walker (17), Brad Wanamaker (13), Daniel Theis (11), Semi Ojeleye(11) and Robert Williams (10) all had double-digit points for Boston.

With the win, the Celtics moved to 46-23, while the Raptors fell to 49-19.

Here’s how it all went down:

STARTING FIVE PG: Kemba WalkerSG: Jaylen BrownSF: Gordon HaywardPF: Jayson TatumC: Daniel Theis

STRONG FIRST FOR BOSTON Boston came out strong with a 6-0 run that turned into a 10-2 stretch, highlighted by a sweet step-back 3-pointer from Brown.

WAY BACK 👌🏾 pic.twitter.com/DkxSJg0FsL

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

Hayward upped the lead to 12-2 when he froze Gasol with a slick hesitation dribble for going right to the rim.

Gordon Hayward be like: I got this.#Celtics Rewind is Presented by @TMobileWatch on @NBCSBoston or stream: https://t.co/Xmx7Whh8Zt pic.twitter.com/SytTnFfG38

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) August 8, 2020

But it wasn’t just the offense. The defense looked the best its been since the NBA restart, holding the Raptors to 14 points to take a 21-14 lead after 12 minutes. Toronto did miss some quality shots, as shown by Boston’s early run, but the C’s defense held their own to keep the Raptors out of the paint.

Brown led all scorers with seven points.

ALL BOSTON More strong defense was on display at the start of the second, and it kept Toronto away from the rim for the first three-plus minutes of the quarter.

But not before the C’s went on a 13-0 run.

this connection ☘️ pic.twitter.com/5FzpIuGFXA

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

Walker made it look easy and extended Boston’s lead to 37-23.

MONEY. pic.twitter.com/7N5uPRE8d3

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

The Raptors began to show signs of life when they went on a 7-0 run, but Boston completely erased that by showcasing playoff-caliber offense and defense, highlighted by back-to-back corner three’s from Theis.

.@dtheis10 is doing it all tonight 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LvhCCspbMS

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

The C’s took a 52-37 lead at half and held Toronto to just 32 percent shooting.

Brown and Theis had 11 points after two quarters, while Tatum had eight.

BALL MOVEMENT, BALL MOVEMENT, BALL MOVEMENT Brad Stevens called for a timeout early in the third after the Raptors made it a 10-point game. And whatever he said must have resonated with the C’s as they went on an 8-0 run afterward.

Boston had slick ball movement throughout the quarter, which led to back-to-back floaters from Tatum and some more Theis buckets.

.@jaytatum0’s floater is a thing of beauty pic.twitter.com/zBPmpEKxEh

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

good luck defending that pic.twitter.com/EbhHcpVFdM

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

🔥🔥AUTOMATIC🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/mWiCrk6ZKD

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

The C’s opened up a 22-point lead on the defending NBA champions with 3:53 left in the quarter, and never looked back, opening up a 29-point edge in the final two minutes.

After all was said and done, Boston led 91-57 after three.

Brown continued to dominate the floor with 20 points.

C’s SEAL IT It was all Boston straight to the end.

⏰👑 pic.twitter.com/uvAfhXNlLt

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

More buckets, more defense and more ball movement helped seal the statement 122-100 win.

PLAY OF THE GAME Goodness.

THAT LEVEL OF FOCUS pic.twitter.com/c6OfFEtp4Y

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 8, 2020

UP NEXT The Celtics now shift their focus to the Orlando Magic. Tip-off is set for Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.

Thumbnail photo via Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports Images