Payton Pritchard scored 28 points and dished out eight assists as the Boston Celtics overcame a depleted Toronto Raptors squad 125-117 at TD Garden on Friday. Jaylen Brown added 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, helping Boston improve to 24-13 while snapping Toronto’s three-game win streak.
The Celtics shot 54% from the field and knocked down 14 three-pointers, pulling away in the second half after a tightly contested first 24 minutes. Boston led 68-60 at halftime before opening the third quarter with a 13-3 run to push the lead to 93-73.
Toronto, missing starters Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl, relied on RJ Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter, who each scored 19 points. Immanuel Quickley recorded a 17-point, 13-assist double-double, but the Raptors could not match Boston’s efficiency.
Toronto surged back to within 108-103 with six minutes remaining, but the Celtics responded with a 12-3 run, regaining a comfortable double-digit cushion. Pritchard’s sharpshooting and Brown’s balanced contributions kept Boston in control down the stretch.
Derrick White added 18 points and five assists, while Sam Hauser contributed 19 points, hitting five of seven from three-point range. Boston’s bench combined for 40 points, giving the starters crucial support.
The Celtics’ defense pressured the Raptors into 15 turnovers and limited assists to 13, forcing the visitors into contested shots. Despite making 18 three-pointers, Toronto could not sustain consistent offensive rhythm without key players on the floor.
Boston continues its hot streak, winning five of six games, and will host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Toronto will look to regroup at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
