5 takeaways like Jayson Tatum, the bank’s score leads the Celtics over the Raptors

The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors in a 132-125 penalty shootout last Thursday, before the break for the All-Star, led by Jayson Tatum’s 27-point shot.

Here’s what happened.

The big picture

The Celtics kept a team of Raptors with few players at a distance for most of the second half on Thursday, getting just enough baskets and free throws in the final stretch to hatch Toronto’s 3-point dam.

Boston will enter the All-Star range in two games over 0.500, after a four-game winning streak.

Game star

Grant Williams – 17 points, shot 7 out of 9, 3 out of 4 out of three

Williams had a few fights this season, but Thursday’s game was a good recovery performance. He buried three 3-point points, launched a put-back and was a reliable offensive option as part of a bank unit that propelled the Celtics all night.

“I just came in focused and prepared, and you never know when your number will be called,” said Williams. “So, Brad trusted me tonight and put me there, and I was able to perform at the level we needed.”

The best player on the field was Jayson Tatum, but a night of 27 points and big buckets in the final stretch are his basic expectations at the moment.

What it means

The Raptors made it all more interesting than the Celtics would like, but eventually the Celtics pulled away and won their fourth consecutive victory. After a humiliating defeat to the Atlanta Hawks last week, Brad Stevens said the next four games will be key to his team, and they won all four.

“After the game in Atlanta, when you looked everyone in the eye, we talked about how important the next four games are and you knew we would be ready,” said Stevens on Thursday. “And I think it’s a sign that a team is going to be together, and I think it stems from the fact that our best players have embraced that.

“I heard Kemba say this several times this week: ‘No one is going to take a vacation until we do.’ And I thought that was very important. So you learn a lot about yourself in those moments. “

The Celtics were not always perfect, but they still passed the test with high marks.

Apprenticeship

1. The Raptors bombed out of reach of 3 points, making an impressive 21-to-49 in depth. This would normally condemn an ​​opponent, but the Celtics overtook the Raptors on the free-throw line, making it 29 to 40. Jaylen Brown led the way, finishing 11 of 16 on the line, but the Celtics as a whole was attracting aggressive fouls.

2. The Celtics continue to fight to defend the big pick-and-pop, with Chris Boucher making five of his nine 3-point attempts. The Celtics need to find a way to defend the big ones who can stretch the ground a little better – when the opponent’s center manages to line up to the 3-point line, this puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the defense.

3. Four members of the Celtics bench – Robert Williams, Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard and Jeff Teague – shot 51 points. In the last week, Tatum and Brown looked a little tired, so receiving contributions from the second unit was crucial, as the Celtics rose again above 0.500.

“I think we have some good players on the bench who can play at a high level and I think we are starting to have some continuity,” said Teague. “We are playing very well with each other. I like to play with Payton and Rob, and I think they have a very good connection. And Payton and I have some synergy of practicing and playing at the beginning of the season. So I feel comfortable with these guys and I think they are starting to feel comfortable with me, and I think the second unit is starting to flow a little bit. “

4. Payton Pritchard seems to be hitting 3 points again, which is great for the Celtics. Jeff Teague did not always seem viable (although he played well recently) and Marcus Smart remains out, opening up the need for a reserve guard. When doing 3 points, Pritchard offers reliable production and floor spacing, which is important.

5. With a charge made in the fourth period, Kemba Walker drew sixth in the NBA in tied charges. He played fewer games than any of the players above him.

Who has more? To no one’s surprise, the answer is one of Walker’s opponents on Thursday: Kyle Lowry.