The Toronto Raptors showed their championship composure as they defeated the Boston Celtics in double overtime, forcing an exciting do-or-die Game 7.
Toronto’s Kyle Lowry tallied 33 points in a Game 6 win over Boston. (Photo by Tony Gutierrez/AP)
It was a grind-it-out contest, but the defending champs were the ones left standing in the end. Kyle Lowry tallied a game-high 33 markers to lead the Raptors to a 125-122 double overtime win over the Celtics. Lowry, who also compiled 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, also hit the the all-important fade-away jumper that gave Toronto a four-point lead with only seconds left on the clock.
With 18 seconds left in the first overtime, Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was fouled off an inbound pass. Brown made two clutch free throws to tie the game at 106. The Raptors had the chance to win the game at that point, but a step-back triple from Norman Powell went off the rim.
The second extension period would then feature a barrage of difficult made shots from both teams. A Marcus Smart corner trifecta gave the Celtics a 115-112 advantage, but the defending champs would lean on their young guns in the next couple of possessions. OG Anunoby, who drilled that series-changing three-pointer in Game 3, again drained another clutch three to give the team a one-point lead.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum turned the ball over in the ensuing possession, leading to a Powell and-one conversion in transition that extended Toronto’s lead to four.
YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THE GRIND pic.twitter.com/03Qh18wvFJ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 10, 2020
Tatum answered back with a floater to cut the deficit to two points, but Lowry again came through when it mattered the most. The veteran All-Star guard backed down Kemba Walker on the post, turned around, then hit a difficult fade-away that ultimately sealed the win for the Raptors.
COLD BLOODED pic.twitter.com/l684qrNOPY
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 10, 2020
Jaylen Brown topscored for the Celtics with his 31 points and 16 rebounds, while Smart tallied a triple-double stat line of 23 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. Tatum also notched a near triple-dub night, finishing with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 9 dimes. Walker struggled from the field, making only two of his 11 attempts and finishing the game with only 5 markers.
SCORES
Raptors (125) – Lowry 33, Powell 23, VanVleet 21, Anunoby 13, Ibaka 13, Siakam 12, Gasol 8, Thomas 2
Celtics (122) – Brown 31, Tatum 29, Smart 23, Theis 18, Wanamaker 6, G. Williams 6, Walker 5, Williams III 4, Ojeleye 0
