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Los Angeles (AFP) – The Boston Celtics won their ninth straight NBA win on Saturday by beating the Toronto Raptors 106-104 despite the loss of star Jayson Tatum and injuries to Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III.
Guard Jaylen Brown, Tatum’s great partner, took the reins of the current NBA runners-up with 27 points while substitutes Grant Williams and Malcolm Brogdon contributed another 25 and 23.
The Celtics rested Tatum, with a sore left wrist, after his great effort in Thursday’s overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, where Boston took small revenge for its loss in the last Finals.
The team led by Joe Mazzulla also lost point guard Marcus Smart in the second quarter due to a sprained right ankle, and center Robert Williams III in the second half due to a left knee problem.
Even so, the Celtics neutralized all of Toronto’s advantages and reached a tie at 103 in the last two and a half minutes, in which their fierce defense made the difference to obtain the victory.
“Every night we compete at the highest level. We can’t settle for less or rest one night, because that’s not who we are,” said Grant Williams, asked about the absence of Jayson Tatum, who on Monday scored 51 points for the Hornets and the Thursday another 34 to the Warriors in 48 minutes on the track.
The Celtics lead the Eastern Conference with an iron fist, with 35 wins and 12 losses, while the Raptors are on the opposite trajectory, accumulating three straight losses and sunk in twelfth place in the sector.
Cameroonian Pascal Siakam improved his recent performance by adding 29 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, who had point guard Fred VanVleet out at the last minute due to discomfort in the rib area.
Bucks Ca’s Antetokounmpo
In another of the seven games on Saturday, the Milwaukee Bucks did pay for the loss of their leader Giannis Antetokounmpo by falling 114-102 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Greek phenom missed his fifth game in a row with a sore left knee. The Bucks have lost three of those games but hold third place in the East for now.
The 28 points and 10 assists from point guard Jrue Holiday were insufficient against some Cavaliers who, although they also had the notable absence of Donovan Mitchell, were supported by the fabulous night of young Evan Mobley, who added 38 points and 9 rebounds.
For his part, center Kristaps Porzingis suffered a sprained left ankle in the third quarter of his Washington Wizards’ 138-118 victory against the Orlando Magic.
The Latvian stayed at 17 points while his Japanese teammate Rui Hachimura was the top scorer with another 30 starting off the bench.
– Results of Saturday in the NBA:
Toronto Raptors – Boston Celtics 104-106
Washington Wizards – Orlando Magic 138-118
Atlanta Hawks – Charlotte Hornets 118-122
Cleveland Cavaliers – Milwaukee Bucks 114-102
Minnesota Timberwolves – Houston Rockets 113-104
In Game:
Phoenix Suns – Indiana Pacers
Sacramento Kings – Philadelphia 76ers
© 2023 AFP