Inside the Locker Room: Celtics defeat Raptors 110-99; Morris and Tatum lead the way (videos)

BOSTON — In a close game against the Raptors, the Celtics won it 110-99. What won the game for the Celtics was the 4th quarter, which they won 28-15. The team’s pace was impressive, as they began to make runs, which was acknowledged by head coach Brad Stevens.

“Well, I didn’t think at the start of the third we were great,” said Stevens, “but, you know, we got it going at the end of the third and into the fourth. And it was back and forth, and then really executed well offensively. Made a lot of great individual plays offensively and got better defensively as the game went on. But, they’re a really good team and sometimes you play you play great defense on them and they make shots anyways. I thought the first quarter especially was super high-level shot making by both teams.”

“Well, I didn’t think at the start of the third we were great,” said Stevens, “but, you know, we got it going at the end of the third and into the fourth. And it was back and forth, and then really executed well offensively. Made a lot of great individual plays offensively and got better defensively as the game went on. But, they’re a really good team and sometimes you play you play great defense on them and they make shots anyways. I thought the first quarter especially was super high-level shot making by both teams.”

Part of the Celtics’ explosion in the second half was rookie Jayson Tatum scoring 14 points in the third period, which he did by carrying the scoring load.

”I wouldn’t say that I necessarily see anything different in him,” said Stevens.”I just think he’s – as he gets more experience he’s getting better. He’s done a great job working in the weight room and doing different things to, you know, continue to go through the long season, and he’s really, really starting to peak, I think. So, that’s – it’s been fun to watch. You know we played him at the ‘one’ some tonight, which we haven’t done yet. And it allowed us to be really big on the other end of the floor, which was nice. But, obviously, he’s just a – he’s a talented guy. Does a lot of good things.”

What also helped the team was going into a 2-3 zone to stifle the team from the North.

Toronto Raptors React to the Loss:

Their zone, how much did that catch you guys off guard?

“We expected it, but I think it slowed down our momentum offensively kind of a little bit stagnant. We still got to play the same way, aggressively, and we didn’t do that. Now I’m pretty sure we will be well prepared next time we are in that same situation.”

How hard was it to manage the tempo against them?

“I think we played pretty fast against them in the 1^st and 3^rd quarter and their second unit with (Greg) Monroe and Al (Horford) they kind of slowed it down a little bit, junked the game up a little bit on us. Our second unit couldn’t get out and run as much as they wanted to, they did a good job. But us, we’re good, we just got to figure it out.”

This report was prepared by Clevis Murray for CLNS Media and CelticsBlog.

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