Shorthanded Celtics give away 20-point lead, but manage to hold on for win over Raptors

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But months from now, both of these experiences will probably have more value than two blowouts would have. Boston’s 120-118 win over Toronto on Friday, which improved its home record to 16-0, was most notable because of the circumstances.

Less than 24 hours after their surprising overtime thriller against Detroit, the Celtics returned to the court without Jayson Tatum (ankle), Kristaps Porzingis (calf), and Al Horford (rest). In the locker room before the game, Mazzulla said he relished the scenario.

“This is another opportunity,’” he recalled telling the players. “I don’t care who we’re playing against, or what the starting lineup is, or what the bench is. I’ve got complete trust and confidence in the character of our locker room because of who [you] are. And I think we can win any game, no matter what.”

Luke Kornet, the third-string big man who recently ceded playing time to two-way contract player Neemias Queta, was probably best positioned to capitalize on this new chance. He started the game and registered 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks.

Kornet has emerged from being a journeyman who played with the Celtics’ G League affiliate in Maine to a dependable, important piece of Mazzulla’s rotation. Kornet acknowledged there can be challenges to not knowing when or if he will play, and what will be needed from him. But he has learned to embrace his opportunities, unafraid that his predicament will result in imperfections.

“As long as we’re all rowing in the same direction at the end of the day,” Kornet said.

With Tatum out, Brown willingly absorbed more of the scoring burden and helped the Celtics to their 20-point lead by making his first four 3-pointers and erupting for 24 of his game-high 31 points in the first half. He added 10 rebounds and six assists.

After thriving in a similar spot with Tatum out last season, Brown once bristled when it was suggested that he was 1A. In addition to his consistent play over the past month, he has shown that he is capable of erupting, too. He also has cut down on his perplexing turnovers and played at his own pace.

“I think the coaching has been excellent this year in making sure that we see the game the way a game should be played,” Brown said.

Meanwhile, Derrick White’s All-Star push looked as though it would take a one-night break as he struggled through a 5-for-19 shooting night. But he put his imprint on the end, the part everyone will remember, by scoring 9 fourth-quarter points and playing pestering defense.

Boston led by 20 in the first half and took a 99-86 lead to the fourth quarter. But the Raptors’ small, switching defense caused issues for the Celtics, and wing Jalen McDaniels scored 8 points in his team’s 10-0 burst to start the period. The Celtics, who made just about everything from beyond the arc over the first three quarters, missed their first seven attempts of the fourth.

A 3-pointer by Dennis Schröder with 8:17 left gave the Raptors a 104-102 lead, their first since the first quarter.

With 3:22 left, White hit a deep 3-pointer to end a scattered possession, giving the Celtics a 110-109 lead. He soon added two free throws and bulldozed down the lane for a layup that gave Boston a 116-113 edge with 1:04 remaining.

“I missed a lot, but all of them felt really good,” White said. “So, just continue to trust that and just continue to stay aggressive in there.”

Scottie Barnes (30 points) tied the score with a 3-pointer with 46.5 seconds left before Brown found Kornet for an alley-oop that gave Boston a 118-116 lead with 32.6 seconds to play.

Schroder was fouled with 15.5 seconds left, but made just one of two free throws and the Raptors were forced to foul. But Jrue Holiday connected on just one of two, giving Toronto a chance. After a timeout, Barnes used a screen to get directly to the rim but was unable to convert the layup.

Holiday made one of two free throws with 2.2 seconds left, and it appeared the game was over when the Raptors were unable to get a shot off. But after the Garden’s celebratory music played and fans roared, the officials ruled that White had committed a non-shooting foul with 1.4 seconds left. Pascal Siakam made the first free throw and missed the second, but the Raptors were unable to corral the rebound.

“The more ways we can find to win,” White said, “the better it will make us in the long run.”

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.