- Raptors defeated the Celtics after a massive fight in Game 6, 125-122.
- The champions had two chances for a buzzer-beater winner but failed to use them.
- Norman Powell scored vital points for the Canadian side.
Toronto’s Will for Survival Decides the Game
The Raptors don’t have a positive record once being down 2-3 in the playoffs. So far, they founded themselves three times in such a situation and got eliminated on each occasion. Now, they have a chance to win finally and break the “curse.”
Champs needed two overtimes, two missed game-winners, and a lot of hard work to take down the Boston Celtics in Game 6.
“We had to work hard for this win and for us, personally, that’s what we do: we play hard and we go out there and we play every possession like it’s our last and find ways to pull out victories,” said Kyle Lowry following the match, before thanking his teammate Norman Powell for showing up when needed the most.
“Thank you, Norm. … That was cool. We needed that.”
Powell scored a three-pointer with 1:23 to tied the game, before making four three throws inside the last 40 seconds. After Jayson Tatum banged a three for 123-122, Powel was ice-cold off the line, hitting both of his shots and setting the final result.
He ended the night with 23 points in 38 minutes, shooting 6-for-11 from the field. The Raptors’ guard could have made it much easier for his side, if he scored a three in the last moments of the first OT. Pascal Siakam had the same opportunity only with the time expiring in the regulations.
Toronto had the lead since the middle of the third, once they managed to come back from a deficit created in the first half. Yet, they couldn’t score in the last 4:24, allowing the Celtics to tie the game and force OT.
Boston’s Solid First Half
The Celtics were up 41-29 with 6:30 left in the second when Robert Williams dunked on Brad Wanamaker’s assist. Jaylen Brown was possessed in the opening two periods, scoring 21 of his 31 points, and single-handedly handling the Raptors.
Eventually, Brown ended the night with 31 points and 16 boards, but missing a lot of shots in the second half, and finishing with 11-for-30 from the field.
Tatum was one assist short of a triple-double – 29 points, 14 boards, 9 dimes, with two blocks and steals each. Marcus Smart had a triple-double with 23 buckets, 11 boards, and 10 assists while Daniel Theis posted 18 points.
The biggest disappointment was Kemba Walker with five points and only two field goals in 11 attempts. He missed several clutch shots, and it seems that the Celtics made a wrong decision in giving him such a high contract at the start of this season.
On the other side, Kyle Lowry was clinical, with 33 points, 8 boards, six dimes, and threes each, 12-for-20 from the floor. Fred Van Vleet had 21 buckets, 9 rebounds, and seven assists. Anunoby added 13 points and boards each, while Siakam had 12 points. Serge Ibaka too, had 13 baskets.
Game 7 is this Friday, and whoever wins faces Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.
