Celtics winning streak snapped as they fall to Raptors in overtime 115-112
It was looking like down four starters, Marcus Smart and the Celtics were going to pull another one out, but the Raptors made the plays in the final minute of regulation to send the game into overtime and prevailed in the extra session.
With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Robert Williams all out, Marcus Smart was forced into the primamry scorer role. Smart finished with 28 points and six other Celtics scored in double figures. Pascal Siakam though led all scorers with a game high 40 points in the Raptors win.
Aaron Nesmith, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet were all given significant roles tonight, all three actually impressed.Coach Udoka: "Hell of a job fighting on the second night of a back-to-back shorthanded … Loved the fight, loved the effort."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 29, 2022
The Celtics will host the Miami Heat on Wednesday as they wind down the regular season. I always focus more on being healthy heading into the playoffs, but if you're a seedings person, Sean Grande is all about that:Ime Udoka on playing Aaron Nesmith down the stretch: "He was our best defender on Siakam."
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) March 29, 2022
Tough loss for the shorthanded Celtics in Toronto tonight, 115-112 in OT.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) March 29, 2022
Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains 2.
Chicago loses in New York, so with 6 games remaining, Boston's magic number to clinch home court in the first round drops to 4.