The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 111-89 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Boston dominated the game, leading by as much as 30 points. The Celtics put on a strong defensive performance, holding the Raptors to just 37% shooting from the field. On the offensive end, Boston was led by Jaylen Brown, who scored a team-high 19 points, followed by Kemba Walker with 17 points. The win gives the Celtics a 2-1 series lead.
The Raptors struggled throughout the game, with star player Kyle Lowry scoring only 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting. The team was unable to keep up with the Celtics’ pace, with Boston’s bench outscoing Toronto’s reserves 40-14. The loss also marks the first time the Raptors have trailed in a playoff series since the 2018 Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Boston head coach Brad Stevens praised his team’s performance, calling it a “professional win.” The Celtics’ defense was particularly impressive, with center Daniel Theis grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds and the team totaling 12 steals and 8 blocked shots. With their victory, the Celtics have put themselves in a good position to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four seasons.
Overall, the Celtics demonstrated their strength as a team in Game 3, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. While the Raptors will undoubtedly look to bounce back in Game 4, Boston’s dominant performance has shifted the momentum of the series and put the pressure on Toronto to respond. As the NBA playoffs continue, the Celtics will look to build off their Game 3 success and continue towards a potential championship run.
