Toronto claimed a 107-105 win over Boston in a preseason matchup at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night. The narrow defeat snapped the visitors’ momentum after a dominant first half.
Boston jumped out to a 27-19 lead after the opening quarter. Payton Pritchard drained three triples en route to 19 points, while Josh Minott added 13.
The Celtics extended their advantage in the second period with a 36-23 surge. Anfernee Simons contributed 18 points overall, including key drives that pushed the halftime score to 63-42.
Chris Boucher, starting for Boston, led all scorers with 19 points in just 23 minutes. His dunks and threes highlighted a bench-heavy rotation, as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Jordan Walsh sat out due to coach’s decision or injury rehab.
Toronto’s stars like Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett did not dress for the game. The absence forced reliance on younger talent early on.
The Raptors mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Boston 35-24 to trim the deficit to 87-77. Gradey Dick sparked the rally with 10 points in the frame, including a finger roll layup and a corner three.
Jamal Shead dished five assists in the period, setting up Ochai Agbaji for an 8-point night. Toronto’s defense forced eight turnovers from the opponents during the run.
Chucky Hepburn emerged as a playmaker off the bench with 13 points and eight assists. His steals and threes helped Toronto seize control late in the third.
Entering the fourth, Boston clung to a slim edge. Pritchard’s step-back three at the buzzer of the third kept the game within reach at 87-77.
Toronto seized the lead for good midway through the final stanza. Jonathan Mogbo’s alley-oop dunk off a Hepburn pass put the home team up 96-86 with under seven minutes left.
Jamison Battle sank four threes for 12 points, two coming in the fourth to extend the cushion. Alijah Martin added nine points, including a crucial triple that made it 85-70.
Boston fought back with a 15-4 spurt, capped by Luka Garza’s putback layup to tie it at 103-103. Garza finished with 12 points in limited action.
Turnovers plagued both sides in the closing minutes—Boston committed 29 for the game. Toronto capitalized with 12 steals.
With 41 seconds left, A.J. Lawson converted a cutting layup for a 105-103 edge. David Roddy sealed it with a driving layup on the next possession.
Mogbo’s layup at the buzzer provided the final margin. Toronto improved to 2-1 in preseason, while Boston fell to 1-1.
