In what very well could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Toronto Raptors got 31 points and 10 rebounds from Kawhi Leonard and scored 95 points over the final three quarters, to take a 113-101 win over the Boston Celtics Friday night at ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto.
Boston (1-1) led early by seven, and led by as many as eight in first half and then held a four point halftime lead. Toronto took their first lead since the first quarter when Leonard got an uncontested dunk with 5:24 left in third quarter. The Raptors took a three point lead to the final quarter. In the fourth, Boston took their last lead when Jaylen Brown knocked down a three pointer to make it 87-86 with 9:03 left. The visitors stayed within striking distance after Toronto (2-0) took back the lead, getting back within 101-99 on a Al Horford basket with 2:53 to go. The hosts then used a 13-2 run though to finish off the Celtics.
Irving led Boston with 21 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Jayson Tatum had 16 points and nine rebounds. Gordon Hayward had 14 points and seven rebounds. Horford also had 14 points, falling just short of a triple double by adding 10 rebounds and nine assists. Brown finished with 13 points and four rebounds.
Serge Ibaka added 21 points and six rebounds for Toronto. Kyle Lowery added 15, and Danny Green had 14 points.
Boston will head to New York to battle the Knicks on Saturday night at 7:30 pm.
