Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, left, receives a pass under pressure from Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Monday, March 28, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
TORONTO — Pascal Siakam had a season-high 40 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out, and the Toronto Raptors beat the short-handed Boston Celtics 115-112 in overtime on Monday night.
Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby scored 14 points apiece, Thad Young and Gary Trent Jr. each had 12, and Scottie Barnes scored 10 before fouling out as Toronto snapped a four-game home losing streak against the Celtics.
“That was a tough one tonight, man,” Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said. “It certainly could have gone either way, and we’ve been on the wrong end of some of those.”
Playing without forwards Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum and centers Al Horford and Robert Williams III, Boston lost for the fifth time in 29 games.
“Great night by a lot of guys,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “A lot of guys stepped up. We had our chances and felt we should have won.”
Trent made two free throws to put Toronto up by three points with 14.4 seconds left in the extra period. Marcus Smart and Grant Williams both missed game-tying 3-point tries on Boston’s final possession.
Smart had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Williams scored 17, and Derrick White added 15 for Boston. Seven Celtics players scored 10 points or more, including Daniel Theis, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
“It was a tough game,” Smart said. “The fact that we did what we did and had chances, I’m proud of us.”
Toronto stayed one game ahead of Cleveland for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while Boston fell one game behind Miami for first in the East after the Heat beat Sacramento at home. The Celtics host the Heat on Wednesday night.
Philadelphia and Milwaukee are also one game behind Miami, but both have played two fewer games than the Celtics and Heat. The Sixers and Bucks play Tuesday night.
The Raptors and Bulls have identical 43-32 records, but Chicago won three of four against the Raptors this season, keeping them in fifth place despite Monday’s road loss to the Knicks.
Sixth place is the last guaranteed postseason spot, with teams finishing in the Nos. 7-10 spots headed for the play-in tournament.
Brown and Tatum both sat with sore right knees. Both played in a win over Minnesota on Sunday and are expected to return for Wednesday’s pivotal showdown with the Heat.
Horford missed his second straight game for personal reasons. Before tip off, Udoka said Horford is day to day.
Earlier Monday, the Celtics said Williams will need surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, likely keeping him out for the rest of the regular season and well into the playoffs.
“Obviously, Rob has a huge impact on both sides of the floor,” White said. “You can’t really replace what he does. He’s unique in that respect.”
Williams didn’t return after limping off at the end of the third quarter against Minnesota Sunday. Udoka said Williams and the Celtics are considering various surgical options and will make a decision later this week.
“There are some (options) that keep you out longer than others,” Udoka said before the game. “We’re hoping for the best as far as that.”
After scoring 10 points in the first, Siakam added 15 more in the second, and VanVleet’s three-point play with 3.3 seconds to go in the half gave Toronto overcame a 38-30 deficit after one to lead 59-58 at the break.
“They came out, they had a lot of energy, they played hard,” Siakam said. “They made some shots early.”
The score was tied 80-all through three quarters.
JUST FOR KICKS
The members of Canada’s men’s national soccer team received a standing ovation when they took the court during a timeout in the second quarter. Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 Sunday to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
TIP-INS
Celtics: Made nine turnovers in the second, leading to 14 points. … Shot 6 for 12 from 3-point range in the first quarter, but went 6 for 28 from distance the rest of the way.
Raptors: C Khem Birch (right knee) was not available. … Trent started for Toronto after missing the previous three games because of a sore left big toe. He shot 4 for 12 in 37 minutes. … Siakam matched his career-high with 17 made baskets and attempted a career-high 29.
BOSTON — Kyle Lowry listened politely while Jimmy Butler shared the credit for Miami's Game 6 victory until his fellow All-Star took the humility too far and called his 47-point, elimination-avoiding performance "decent.
FALMOUTH, MA – The police in Falmouth have identified the victim in an accident involving a car plunging into the ocean on February 20, NBC10 Boston reported.
PHILADELPHIA – The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley announced that the Evzones, the Presidential Guard of Greece will be participating in the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade on March 20.
This past Easter season, this great feast, Pascha for Greek Orthodox Christianity and Passover for Judaism, found us during Holy Week in the Holy Land, at the Gate of Worship.
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