The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 108-105 on Friday. Boston’s second victory in the NBA’s preseason competition keeps them atop the East Group C standings.
Bled by 16 points at the start of the second half, but the game was knotted with less than one minute remaining in regulation. Jaylen Brown led the squad with 23 points, while Jayson Tatum scored 17 on 8-for-22 shooting. According to NBC Sports Boston, Joe Mazzulla acknowledged his team’s lackluster performance but praised their triumphant efforts.
“It was the first time all year where we just weren’t the best version of ourselves, but that’s going to happen, especially with 70 games left,” said Mazzulla. “But I liked the way we just chipped away at it. … We had to learn a lot of stuff and we haven’t had that this year, so it was good that we were able to go through that.” The Celtics’ next game is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19, against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum; tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. EST.
NOW FROM THE NBA EXECUTIVE DESK.
According to a recent media poll from HoopsHype, the Boston Celtics’ home arena, TD Garden, is the best in the NBA. For this poll, media members were asked to consider the quality, atmosphere, culinary options, and lighting of each arena.
TD Garden opened in 1995 and underwent a $70 million renovation in 2014. It holds a capacity of over 19,000 for basketball games.
Following closely behind TD Garden is Crypto.com Arena, home to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. It will serve as a venue for the 2028 Olympics.
Meanwhile, the lowest-rated arena is the Houston Rockets’ Toyota Center. Last season, the Rockets finished with a 22-60 record.
