Toronto's 38-Point First Quarter Puts Celtics on Their Heels

Toronto set the tone with 38 points in the first quarter, opening a nine-point lead over the Celtics. Boston answered with a 25-23 edge in the second, but the Raptors still carry a 61-54 advantage into the break. Jayson Tatum has 19 points for Boston, while Toronto’s Ja'Kobe Walter has 12, including four three-pointers. The Celtics entered ranked No. 3 in the power index with a 9-2 record, compared with Toronto at No. 16 and 5-5; after the break, watch whether Boston can contain Walter’s shooting and turn its second-quarter push into a full comeback.