The Boston Celtics delivered a commanding 125-71 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, capping off the year with one of the most lopsided wins of the NBA season. Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points, including 18 in a commanding third-quarter performance.
Boston improved to 24-9, while Toronto’s struggles extended to an 11-game losing streak, dropping their record to 7-26.
The Celtics outscored the Raptors 45-18 in the third quarter, relying heavily on their three-point shooting. Boston connected on 10 of 12 shots from beyond the arc during the period, shooting 74% overall. Tatum knocked down four triples, while Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser added two apiece.
Holiday returned to action after missing three games due to a shoulder injury, finishing with 14 points. Payton Pritchard contributed 19 points off the bench, while Derrick White added 16, and Hauser chipped in 12. Jaylen Brown rounded out the balanced attack with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Defensively, Boston stifled Toronto, forcing 21 turnovers and holding the Raptors to 31.4% shooting.
Scottie Barnes was a rare bright spot for the Raptors, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jakob Poeltl added 13 boards, but Toronto’s offense never found its rhythm, especially after the Celtics’ third-quarter barrage.
The Celtics built a 90-53 lead by the end of the third quarter, allowing head coach Joe Mazzulla to rest his starters for the final frame. Boston’s bench players maintained the intensity, extending the lead and capping off the blowout victory.
The Raptors’ poor perimeter shooting (10-of-40 from three) and inability to take care of the ball doomed them against a Boston team firing on all cylinders.
