| |
|
NBA -- Celtics show fight, might as contenders
By Ricardo Carbajal
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 01 Sep 2020
LOS ANGELES -- The Boston Celtics demonstrated the firepower befitting a legitimate title contender.
Jayson Tatum finished with 21 points and nine rebounds and all of Boston's starters chalked double-figures in points to easily handle the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of the Easter Conference Finals played inside the NBA bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Buena Vista, Florida.
Kemba Walker added 18 and 10 assists and Marcus Smart tallied 21 for the No.3 seeded Celtics. Jaylen Brown pumped in 17 while center Daniel Theis accounted for 13 points and 15 boards.
Fresh off their four-game sweep of the Sixers in Round 1, the Cetlics didn't skip a beat, shooting 47 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from long distance. They started hot and hit their baskets early and often to take a 36-17 lead late in the first quarter.
The Raptors, the defending champs and this year's No.2 seed in the East, never recovered from the fiery barrage.
As impressive the win was, Celtics coach Brad Stevens cautioned that it's a long series, a race to win four out of seven.
"We're not even in the ballpark of doing that yet. We won one game," Stevens, who just signed a contract extension with Boston, told The Associated Press.
Boston, which finished the regular season at 48-24, is missing the services of Gordon Hayward, who is rehabbing from an injured ankle. But their performance in Game 1 showed that they have enough weapons to beat the championship savvy Raptors.
Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 17 points and six rebounds.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ricardo Carbajal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
, Sun, 14 Jun 2026Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
, Sun, 14 Jun 2026Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
, Sat, 13 Jun 2026GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
, Sat, 13 Jun 2026Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
, Sat, 13 Jun 2026Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
, Fri, 12 Jun 2026Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
, Fri, 12 Jun 2026IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
, Fri, 12 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
, Thu, 11 Jun 2026Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026Roach Jr. vs. Zepeda Press Conference Quotes
, Wed, 10 Jun 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
