No 24-point comeback miracle! Celtics' 4-game streak snapped, Tatum 24+8+6, Barnes near triple-double.

In the 2024-25 NBA preseason, the Toronto Raptors faced the Boston Celtics at home. As reigning champions, the Celtics essentially kept their title-chasing lineup intact over the break, where consistency serves as their key asset. As expected, across the initial four preseason contests, the Celtics remained poised and formidable, beating the Nuggets twice, prevailing over the 76ers, and controlling the Raptors, racking up a four-win streak. The Celtics' strength lies not only in a powerful starting unit but also in a rotation that sustains strong output, maintaining high intensity throughout the game.

After resting core players like Tatum and Brown for one game, the Celtics returned with their key figures against the Raptors, but the first quarter belonged to the Raptors' showcase. The opening period saw the Raptors shooting wildly. They set up artillery from beyond the arc, firing 10 three-pointers out of 14 attempts, with absurd accuracy! Inside shots were limited but also highly efficient, the team missing only eight shots total, exploding for 46 points in the quarter! The Celtics aimed to respond from outside but struggled with poor touch, hitting just 2 of 11 attempts, allowing the gap to stretch to 24 points. By the end of the first, the Raptors had built a 19-point lead.

Yet the Celtics had ample confidence to rally, and indeed, in the second quarter they made the Raptors feel the consequences of provoking the defending champions. This quarter the Celtics flourished across the board, raining threes on the Raptors with eight made long-range shots, while relentlessly attacking the paint, turning the Raptors' interior into chaos, scoring 40 points in return! The Raptors, having overexerted in the first, saw their shooting cool off noticeably, missing all eight exterior attempts. At halftime, the Celtics led 67-66 by one point, showcasing the scoring explosiveness of a champion squad.

After swapping sides, the third quarter brought a shift in momentum. Both teams engaged in a perimeter "exchange," but the Celtics' shooting went cold, converting only 4 of 16 attempts, while the Raptors also shot poorly, making 3 of 12. However, the Raptors' interior scoring was highly efficient, nearly every basket inside finding the net, battering the Celtics' defense near the rim. The Raptors outscored the Celtics 31-19 in the quarter, taking a 12-point lead; after three quarters the score stood at 84-97, with the Raptors ahead by 13.

In the final quarter, the Celtics' starters remained on court. They continued focusing on outside shooting, but their touch didn't significantly recover, making only 3 of 13 three-point attempts. The Raptors stuck to their third-quarter approach, attacking the interior decisively when outside shots failed. In the last minute, the Celtics tied it at 115, but关键时刻 Carlton drew fouls and sank two free throws. After a Celtics timeout, Davidson hit a three, putting the Celtics up by one! Carlton again drew fouls and made two free throws, giving the Raptors the lead back! Ultimately the Celtics fell by one point, missing a 24-point super comeback, with the final score 118-119.

In this game, Tatum posted 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists; Brown had 19 points and 1 assist; White contributed 23 points, 2 boards, 3 assists. For the Raptors, Barnes recorded 26 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists.