The Boston Celtics walked into Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night missing one of their key stars - Jaylen Brown sidelined with a non-COVID illness - and still managed to put together the kind of gritty, physical performance that wins games in the trenches. The difference?
The glass. Boston dominated the rebounding battle, pulling down 55 boards to Toronto’s 37, including a commanding 17-9 edge on the offensive end.
That kind of effort doesn’t just show up on the stat sheet - it sets the tone.
Without Jakob Poeltl manning the middle for the Raptors due to back soreness, Toronto was already facing an uphill battle in the paint. But even with that context, Raptors big man Sandro Mamukelashvili wasn’t interested in leaning on excuses. His postgame comments reflected the kind of accountability coaches love to hear from their frontcourt players.
“I hate getting out-rebounded,” Mamukelashvili said bluntly. “It definitely hurts, especially (because) I could have had more rebounds myself.”
That kind of self-assessment speaks volumes. In a game where second-chance points and extra possessions can swing momentum, Mamukelashvili acknowledged what the tape will likely confirm - too many 50/50 balls slipped through Toronto’s fingers, and too often Boston simply wanted it more.
He pointed to the fundamentals - boxing out, team rebounding, and collective effort. “Sometimes we box out and then everybody crashes, and it’s got to be a team effort,” he said. “At the same time, I can do a better job.”
That’s the kind of mindset that leads to growth. Toronto didn’t get blown out - they got outworked in a specific, crucial area.
And Mamukelashvili knows it. “A lot of times, we’re right there, and then we can’t just come up with the ball, and it was tough today.”
From a coaching standpoint, this isn’t about reinventing the wheel. Assistant coach Mike Batiste has already made rebounding a point of emphasis in practice, and Mamukelashvili made it clear that work will continue.
“I’m sure we’re going to watch film. I’m sure we’re going to work on it,” he said.
“Mike always makes us work on rebounding in practice, so we’re just going to get better.”
For Boston, this win was a testament to depth and toughness. Winning on the road without a key scorer, and doing so by controlling the boards, is the kind of performance that builds confidence and reinforces identity.
For Toronto, it’s a reminder that rebounding isn’t just about size - it’s about timing, positioning, and will. And judging by Mamukelashvili’s response, the Raptors are already looking toward the next opportunity to prove they can be better.