By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Boston Celtics scored a wire-to-wire victory over the Toronto Raptors, 111-101, and kept their winning streak alive in the ongoing NBA regular season on February 26, 2025.
With another win, the Celtics just continued their streak to six consecutive games, flashing their dominance with an average winning margin of 16 points.
The Celtics quickly put their imprints on the game in the first 12 minutes after establishing an 11-point lead, 35-24, courtesy of Jayson Tatum’s all-around effort in scoring and facilitating his teammates.
Boston’s perennial superstar set the tone when he immediately scored five points and capped off the opening frame with several assists that fed the wide-open Jaylen Brown in the corner and the rotating Payton Pritchard for a clutch bucket that ballooned the lead to double digits.
Despite Toronto’s hot start in the second period, the Celtics restored order midway through the quarter as timely baskets from Derrick White and Sam Hauser ignited a momentum-boosting 12-4 run.
The Raptors were already looking comfortable executing their offensive plays as they banked on Scottie Barnes’ paint points but Boston spoiled their chances of inching close heading into the second half.
Boston then relied on their crisp ball movement to torch Toronto in the second half, backstopped by their better defensive outing in covering the duo of Barnes and RJ Barrett who combined for 43 points against the Celtics.
The reigning NBA kings also received valuable minutes from their backup center Neemias Queta, who stepped up due to the absence of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis who were nursing several injuries.
Queta anchored the paint for the Celtics and played a total of 19 minutes, scoring eight points alongside five rebounds and a block.
Top-scoring Boston was Brown who fired 24 markers built from an efficient 10/18 shooting from the field including five boards, four dimes, and a steal.
Meanwhile, Tatum stuffed the stat sheets and capped off the win with 19 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and a steal.
Boston will gun for their seventh straight dub today, as they face off against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons in a nine-game action-packed NBA schedule.
