Boston CelticsOpen full analysis
Toronto RaptorsOpen full analysis
The Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 112–96 on December 20 at Scotiabank Arena, controlling the matchup with superior shooting and rebounding. Payton Pritchard led Boston with 33 points, while Derrick White added 15 in a balanced offensive effort. The Celtics shot 46.3 percent from the field and made 12 three-pointers, outpacing Toronto's 41.4 percent efficiency and 16 made threes. Boston's rebounding dominance—55 boards to Toronto's 37—proved decisive, as did their third-quarter explosion, when they outscored the Raptors 34–29 to seize control. Branden Ingram and Sandro Mamukelashvili each scored 24 points for Toronto, but the Raptors' defense faltered, allowing a 119.7 defensive rating while managing only 101.2 offensively. The game fell well short of the Vegas total line of 221.5, with both teams combining for just 208 points. Boston's balanced attack and defensive intensity—seven steals versus Toronto's two—underscored their Eastern Conference credentials heading into the holiday stretch.
