Raptors down Celtics, again, 105 - 103

And the tank keeps on rollin' Photo Credit: ESPN

The Celts kept it close for most of the first half. Toronto seemed to be able to score when they wanted to, but Boston continued to answer.

Despite heading into half time with just a 3 point deficit (56-53), DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors began to distance themselves in the third. DeRozan (30 PTS, 4 RBS, 2 AST) was putting on an offensive show draining fallaways, finishing strong inside, and getting to the line.

Terrence Ross proved to be a problem for the Celtics yet again. Despite his inability to hit from downtown tonight, Ross was very active on both ends of the floor, disrupting passing lanes throughout the night and finishing with a nice (17 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL).

The Celtics caught fire in the fourth, cutting a 14 point deficit to just 1 with six minutes to go. Bayless (20 PTS on 8-13 shooting) was in the zone in the fourth quarter and sank back to back clutch shots to give the Celts a 2 point lead with 3:30 to go. After bricking a mid range jumper, Jeff Green (16 PTS, 4 RBS, 2 AST) hustled back to make an awesome block on DeRozan to keep the game tied 101-101 with just under a minute to go. DeRozan remained unfazed, and swished a jumper immediately thereafter.
In true Rondo fashion, Rajon answered with an angled drive and finish at the rim. Finally, with just seven seconds left on the clock, Amir Johnson cleaned up Kyle Lowry's miss and the rest was history.

The remaining usual suspects looked good for the Raps. Jonas Valanciunas was able to string together 13 PTS, 8 RBS, 2 BLKs, while Kyle Lowry, despite rolling his ankle, posted 9 PTS, 6 RBS, 5 ASTs.

The loss drops the green team to 23-49. Boston prepares to take on the Chicago Bulls at 7:00 ET on Sunday at home.