Celtics rally from 22-point deficit to beat Raptors 98-93

The Boston Celtics overcame a 22-point deficit to defeat the Toronto Raptors 98-93 on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak to five games.

Game summary

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points and added eight assists and seven rebounds for the Celtics. Derrick White had 19 points and four blocks. Neemias Queta collected 11 points and 13 rebounds. Payton Pritchard added 14 points.

Ja'Kobe Walter scored 17 points for Toronto. RJ Barrett had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Allen Graves added a career-high 13 points.

Toronto raced out to a nine-point lead in the first quarter and made 10 three-pointers in the period, tying a franchise record. The Raptors led 59-37 after Jamal Shead's free throw with 5:24 remaining in the second quarter, but Boston answered with 16 straight points. Tatum scored the first 10 by himself as the Celtics cut the deficit to 61-54 at halftime.

Tatum made the tying and go-ahead free throws with 25.2 seconds remaining. Neemias Queta made both of his free throws with 15 seconds left to put Boston up by three.

Injuries and absences

Scottie Barnes missed his third game with a strained left groin. Kawhi Leonard was not in the building as he recovers from swelling in his left knee. Leonard missed his ninth straight game but is "progressing well" with individual conditioning, coach Darko Rajakovic said before the game. On Tuesday, the Raptors said they'd update Leonard's status in a week.

Boston's Paul George sat out because of an illness a night after he scored 36 points in a winning return to Philadelphia.

Team records

Boston improved to 10-2 and to 4-0 against Atlantic Division opponents. Toronto fell to 5-6, dipping below .500 for the first time this season.

Up next

Toronto visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Boston hosts the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

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Sources

• sportsnet.ca: Raptors blow 22-point lead in loss to Celtics - Sportsnet.ca
• ctpost.com: Celtics win 5th straight, overcoming 22-point deficit to beat Raptors 98-93
• raptorsrepublic.com: Raptors young guns try to drag veterans up to par in loss to Celtics - Raptors Republic

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