NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors

Final Score: Toronto Raptors defeated Boston Celtics 118-95

The Boston Celtics were in Toronto to take on the Raptors, who were coming off a tough loss against the Orlando Magic.

It was a two-point game at the end of the first quarter with Boston taking the lead. However, the Raptors came back strong in the second quarter and clinched it 36-13 which shifted the momentum completely in favour of the Raptors.

They only continued their dominance in the third quarter and even though the Celtics showed some fight towards the end, it was all but over. The Celtics got blown out 118-95 and the regular-season series ended at 2-2. The loss also ended their seven-game win streak.

Pascal Siakam was the top-scorer on the night with 25 points. For the Celtics, it was Marcus Morris with 17 points.

In this article, let us take a look at three talking points from the Raptors' win at home.

#3 Kawhi Leonard's impressive performance

Kawhi Leonard came up big for the Raptors last night Credit: ESPN

Kawhi Leonard is one of the top three two-way players in the league and he has been doing it all on both ends of the floor all season long. Kawhi, who is one of the contenders for Defensive Player of the Year, was feeling himself against Boston and came up big to help the team pick up the win.

He finished the game with 21 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists on very good 9-for-15 shooting. He was also effective on the defensive end and was all over the Celtics' players, never really allowing them to score freely.

Kawhi is averaging career-high numbers with his new franchise this year, and it is incredible how he performs so well on both the ends for entire 48-minutes.

#2 Pascal Siakam for the Most Improved Player?

Pascal Siakam is having his breakout season in the NBA

Pascal Siakam did not average in double-figures in points in his first two seasons. All of a sudden, he has looked like a completely different player this year, and has been one of the key reasons why the Raptors have been so successful.

Siakam has been scoring heavily all season long and after a rare off-shooting night where he just shot 3-for-10 to combine for 10 points, he went off and scored 25 points on a very impressive 10-for-16 shooting to lead the Raptors to victory.

He also had 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in 30 minutes of action and the forward is currently the front-runner for the Most Improved Player award. He is averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, on 55.2% shooting, this season.

#1 Raptors' suffocating defense vs Boston's no defense

The Raptors did a great job on the defensive end while the Celtics did not play any defense. Credit: Sportsnet

Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics are both known as two of the best teams on the defensive end in the league. However, last night, it was only the Raptors who brought out their A-game on the defensive end while the Celtics did not play much defense.

Thanks to the Raptors' suffocating defense, the Celtics combined for a pathetic 6-for-30 from the three-point line and had a forgettable night. They did not allow Boston take any open shots and always stuck to their game plan.

In contrast, Boston did a poor job on the defensive end, and that led to the Raptors getting a lot of wide open shots which they knocked down with ease. They shot a breath-taking 17-for-36 from the three-point line, and that helped the Raptors get an easy victory.