(Toronto) Peyton Pritchard did some serious damage in the final quarter as the Boston Celtics edged the Toronto Raptors 106-104 on Saturday for their ninth straight win.
Pritchard struck hard with 5:50 on the clock, going for his third three-point shot of the engagement. He then took the score to 101-93 in favor of the visitors.
Jaylen Brown had 27 points and three steals for Boston, which leads the NBA with a 35-12 record.
Grant Williams provided a career-high 25 points, while Malcolm Brogdon added 23.
Joe Mazzulla’s squad was without star player Jayson Tatum, the third-ranked NBA scorer, with a left wrist injury.
The Celtics also played the second half without Marcus Smart (right ankle) and Robert Williams (left knee).
“It’s hard to win on the road when you’re missing guys,” Brown said.
“We don’t take anything for granted, but we have the players to win, whether they are available or not. »
The Massachusetts club was 16 for 35 in long-range shooting (45.7%). Pritchard, Brown and Grant Williams all scored four times.
Pascal Siakam had 29 points for the Raptors, who were losing a third straight game. The team also lost by two points Thursday at Minnesota.
Toronto (20-27) sits two games shy of 10e place in the East, the last access route to the qualifying tournament. Part of the reason is a 3-12 record in games that ended with four points or less.
“It’s tough,” Siakam said. There are a lot of games where I think we were very productive, but where a mistake here and there hurt us. It’s really annoying. »
Scottie Barnes was shut out in the second quarter, finishing the game with 10 points.
Gary Trent had 22 points, five more than Precious Achiuwa, and OG Anunoby left in the third quarter with a right ankle injury.
Fred VanVleet missed the game with stiff ribs. He’s averaged 32.3 points in his last three games.
VanVleet is a doubt for Sunday’s game in Toronto against the Knicks.
The Raptors failed to keep up the momentum of a first half where they took control 57-50. The Toronto club also led 85-81 when starting the last quarter.
The Raptors will host New York on Sunday night, before beginning a seven-game road trip. This is their longest journey of the campaign.
The Knicks have also lost their last three games.