(SportsNetwork.com) – The Toronto Raptors target their fourth win of the
season when they visit the Boston Celtics Wednesday at TD Garden.
The Raptors rebounded from their only loss of the season with Tuesday’s 100-88
victory over the injury-riddled Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder were
without superstars Kevin Durant (foot) and Russell Westbrook (hand).
DeMar DeRozan scored 16 points and Patrick Patterson added 14 points and eight
rebounds for the Raptors. Tyler Hansbrough and Lou Williams scored 12 points
apiece in the win, and the Raptors gained control of the game after trailing
30-23 after the first quarter.
“Their energy was unbelievable,” Raptors guard Kyle Lowry said of his
teammates. “They were just everywhere all over the floor.”
Lowry was one of eight players with at least eight points.
Toronto netted 30 points off 21 OKC turnovers and shot 39.5 percent. The team
held on despite making only 8-of-31 3-pointers.
The Raptors will head back home after Wednesday’s trip to Boston for seven
consecutive games.
In injury news for Toronto, center Jonas Valanciunas left the game against the
Thunder with an injured nose and is questionable Wednesday night. Forward Amir
Johnson (ankle) did not play and is day-to-day.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey needs five wins to tie Lenny Wilkens (113) for
second on the team’s all-time coaching victories list. Sam Mitchell is first
with 156 victories.
The Celtics are back home after an unsuccessful trip through Texas (Houston,
Dallas) and will play 11 of the next 15 games at TD Garden.
Boston suffered a 118-113 loss to the Mavericks on Monday and was led by Jeff
Green and Avery Bradley. Green and Bradley poured in 35 and 32 points,
respectively, Jared Sullinger scored 14 points and Rajon Rondo contributed
seven points, 15 assists and nine rebounds.
The Celtics trailed 40-19 after 12 minutes, but battled back in the second
half. They outscored the Mavericks, 72-51, over the final 24 minutes and their
17 turnovers led to 28 Dallas points.
“It’s easy to play when you’re down 26. It’s hard to play when you’re up 26,”
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said of the difference between the first and
second half. “I don’t want to make it like it’s the comeback of all comebacks
… but our guys did make some plays in the second half.”
Stevens’ squad is second in the NBA in scoring with 108.0 points per game and
is second-to-last in opponents’ scoring (109.0 ppg).
Toronto is averaging 104.8 ppg and went 3-1 against the Celtics a season ago.
The Celtics have played exceptionally well against the Raptors at home as
evidenced by their 20-3 mark in the last 23 chances.
