Game Rap: Raptors 113, Celtics 103

Holly MacKenzie - Raptors.com

The Raptors used a 26-10 run in the third quarter to break open a close game. Although the Celtics continued to battle in the fourth, and trimmed Toronto’s lead to single digits with less than two minutes remaining, the Raptors escaped Boston with a 113-103 victory.

For the second consecutive contest, the Raptors managed to settle down after a rocky first half to take control in the third quarter and go on to the game. On Friday, the team outscored Boston 30-21 in the quarter and went into the fourth up nine with their offence rolling. Toronto shot a dismal 33 percent in the first half to 41 percent shooting for Boston. It was a completely different story in the second as the Raptors found a groove and shot 55 percent from the floor in the second half while holding the Celtics to just 34 percent.

Terrence Ross was fantastic off the bench, pouring in 21 points in 21 minutes. Ross shot 8-for-12 from the floor, 2-for-6 from beyond the arc and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. He was aggressive early, mixing it up with three-pointers as well as drives to the basket and played the role of spark plug off the bench to perfection.

DeMar DeRozan had another rough night from the floor (5-for-15 field goals), but again refused to allow that to ruin his night. DeRozan got to the free throw line with ease, making 12 of 14 attempts in 35 minutes of playing time while also adding seven rebounds, six assists and two steals as he showed off his all-around game when his shot wasn’t falling.

For the second time this season, the Raptors had three players top the 20-point mark. In the home opener, it was DeMar DeRozan (25 points), Kyle Lowry (23 points), and Jonas Valanciunas (21 points). On Friday night, it was DeMarre Carroll (21 points), DeMar DeRozan (23 points), and Terrence Ross (21 points).

“Twenty-one from him was huge off the bench. Not only that, I thought his defensive activity was focused. You know, staying locked in on [Avery] Bradley, chasing him off screens, rebounding, all those things helped him get into a rhythm offensively and knock down shots. That’s what we need from T-Ross”- Dwane Casey on a big night from Terence Ross

15… The Raptors outrebounded the Celtics by 15, hauling down 53 boards to Boston’s 38. Coach Dwane Casey has preached the importance of rebounding throughout the preseason and had to be happy with his team’s efforts on the glass as seven players had at least four rebounds.43… Percent shooting from beyond the arc as Toronto connected on 11 of 26 three-point attempts and six players hit at least once from downtown. In comparison, the Celtics finished 7-for-26 from deep.71… The Raptors were red-hot in the fourth, making 12 of their 17 field goal attempts to shoot a blistering 71 percent in the quarter.36… In comparison, the Celtics shot 36 percent in the fourth, making eight of 22 field goal attempts.

“Coming off the bench kind of helps me because you see what the team needs to work on…if they need a defensive presence or type of spark off the bench like that, it helps you focus on what you can do. I actually like it a little better.”- Terrence Ross on coming off the bench as opposed to starting

“That was our goal. Once we get a turnover, let’s push it. Let’s attack them before they can get back. They’re a very good defensive team once they get set, but we had an opportunity to get some stops, get out in transition and catch them before they were back five-on-five.”- Dwane Casey on getting offence from defence in the third quarter “I think we just got more aggressive. Coach told us, you know, stop coming out, running sets. We get out, let’s go, and I think that’s what we did. We just got out and kept running.”- DeMarre Carroll on turning up the defence in the third quarter

The Raptors return to the Air Canada Centre for a day of practice before Sunday’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks at 6 P.M. ET.