The Boston Celtics started their Christmas Day meeting with the Toronto Raptors like they’d been up too late wrapping presents.
After Toronto jumped out to a quick 10-point lead, the Celtics shook off whatever holiday rust lingered and went on a 20-4 run to close out the first frame, never trailing again.
The win came largely at the hands of fourth-year wing Jaylen Brown, who scored 30 points and 6 rebounds on a hyper-efficient 10-of-13 from the floor including 5-of-7 from deep.
He had help from teammate Kemba Walker — who put up 22 points of his own — and Gordon Hayward had 14 points, 6 assists and 5 boards over 26 minutes in his first game back from ongoing left foot soreness.
Overall, it was a balanced effort from the team, with three other players in double figures and the team shooting 50 % from the floor overall and 42.4 % from beyond the arc.
Toronto was led by Fred VanVleet’s 27 points and 6 assists and reserve forward Chris Boucher’s 24-point, 6 rebound performance, but dropped their second game in a row down multiple key players.
With Most Improved Player candidate Pascal Siakam, veteran big man Marc Gasol and wing Norman Powell all out injured, Toronto was behind the eightball before the game even began.
Rookie forward Grant Williams dislocated a finger on a botched pass early in the contest, but after x-rays came back negative, the rookie would return to action before the half with a splint on his right index finger.
The 21-7 Boston Celtics next face the Cleveland Cavaliers at home Dec. 27 ahead of a back-to-back homestand rematch with Toronto, after which they’ll close out the year at the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 31.
