The Boston Celtics got a game-high 29 points from Malcolm Brogdon and a double double with 25 points from Jaylen Brown on Wednesday night, and defeated the Toronto Raptors 97-93 at TD Garden to claim the Atlantic Division Title. With a Milwaukee comeback win over Chicago, Boston finishes second in the Eastern Conference while the Bucks earn the top spot.
Boston (58-22) played without Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, but after trailing by as many as six in the opening quarter they took the lead for good on a running layup by Brown with 1:44 to go in the period. They would end the final 7:03 of the first half on a 16-6 run finished off by by a fadeaway jumper by Brogdon to take a 12 point lead into halftime 56-44. The Celtics would build the advantage to as many as 13 in the third quarter. Toronto (40-40) got within three on several occasions halfway through the fourth, and were within two at 95-93 when Precious Achiuwa converted a three point play with 12.6 seconds remaining. Brogdon iced the win with two free throws less than three seconds later.
Brogdon added five rebounds and three assists to his point total and hit 4-6 from the three-point arc. Brown capped his double with 11 rebounds and five assists. Derrick White contributed 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Mike Muscala also got into double figures with 12 points and six rebounds. Pascal Siakam led Toronto in the loss with 28 points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics and Raptors face off again in Boston on Friday night, while the regular season finale for Boston is also at home on Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Hawks.
Recap by Chris Lessner
