Celtics Cruise Past Raptors Behind Pritchard’s Breakout, Boston’s Depth Shines in Statement Win
The Celtics didn’t just win in Toronto on Saturday night - they sent a message. With Jaylen Brown sitting out, Boston still rolled to a 112-96 victory that showcased just how deep and dangerous this team can be.
Payton Pritchard, stepping into the spotlight, delivered a performance that reminded everyone why Boston trusts him in big moments. And for the Raptors, this loss stung - not just because of the scoreline, but because of what it revealed.
First Quarter: Celtics Set the Tone Early
From the opening tip, Boston came out with purpose. They executed their offense with precision, setting hard screens and moving without the ball, forcing Toronto to chase. Payton Pritchard wasted no time heating up, finding his rhythm early and capitalizing on the space created by Boston’s ball movement.
Brandon Ingram and Sandro Mamukelashvili chipped in with early buckets, and Colin Murray-Boyles made an instant impact off the bench, scoring inside and then knocking down a three that pushed Boston ahead 20-16. That shot would mark the end of Toronto’s scoring for the quarter. The Celtics locked in defensively, holding the Raptors scoreless for over four minutes while Luka Garza went to work in the paint.
Scottie Barnes tried to swing momentum with a highlight-reel block on Garza, but Derrick White responded with a corner three to close the quarter. Boston led by 12 after one, and Barnes, while active on the glass, was still searching for his offensive rhythm.
Second Quarter: Raptors Fight Back
The second quarter opened with Ingram and White trading threes, but it was Mamukelashvili who kept Toronto within striking distance. Starting in place of Jakob Poeltl, he brought energy and floor spacing, scoring inside and out to help trim Boston’s lead.
Then came a scary moment: Scottie Barnes absorbed a hard foul from Neemias Queta on a drive, hitting the floor hard and clutching his face. The contact was ruled a flagrant, sending Barnes to the line and giving the Raptors a chance to build momentum. And they did.
Barnes, showing his toughness, grabbed his own miss and threw down a powerful putback. Jamal Shead orchestrated a fast-paced offense, finding open looks and pushing the tempo.
Ochai Agbaji knocked down a pair of free throws, and Immanuel Quickley drilled a three off a kick-out from Ingram, giving Toronto its first lead of the night. At halftime, the Raptors had flipped the script and led 51-49.
Third Quarter: Pritchard Takes Over
Scottie Barnes came out firing in the third, nailing a three to extend Toronto’s lead. But while the Raptors' offense found its rhythm from deep, Pritchard refused to let the game slip away. He stayed aggressive, attacking off the dribble and knocking down shots from all over the floor.
With Derrick White still quiet at that point, Pritchard became Boston’s offensive engine. The Raptors had no answer for him.
He finished the third quarter with 27 points, capping it off with a smooth fadeaway jumper that put the Celtics back in front. Just like that, Toronto was chasing again.
Fourth Quarter: Boston Closes the Door
Anfernee Simons sparked a fourth-quarter run with a pair of mid-range jumpers, and when Derrick White finally found his range, the floodgates opened. His three-pointer pushed Boston’s lead to double digits, 94-84, and from there, the Celtics never looked back.
White, after a slow start, came alive in the final frame, scoring efficiently and helping Boston maintain control. Ingram and Barnes tried to keep Toronto afloat, but the Celtics’ defense tightened, and the Raptors’ offense sputtered. A highlight-reel steal and coast-to-coast dunk from Hugo Gonzalez stretched the lead to 12 with three minutes to play - a punctuation mark on a dominant Boston finish.
Quickley’s struggles were emblematic of Toronto’s night. With RJ Barrett out, the Raptors needed him to step up.
Instead, he went just 1-for-12 from the field. His seven assists were helpful, but the lack of scoring punch hurt - especially against a Celtics team missing one of its stars.
With the game out of reach, Toronto pulled its starters and let the clock wind down. Final score: Celtics 112, Raptors 96.
Postgame Takeaway: Depth Wins Games - and Boston Has It
After the game, Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković didn’t mince words: “The game is about rebounding. They got 17 offensive rebounds, and 23 second-chance points.”
That stat line tells the story. Without Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett, Toronto lacked the size, physicality, and scoring consistency to keep up. And while they showed flashes - especially in that second-quarter surge - this game was a reminder of how thin the margin is when key players are missing.
For Boston, it’s the opposite. No Jaylen Brown?
No problem. Pritchard stepped up, White closed strong, and the Celtics’ bench brought energy and execution.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a showcase of what makes Boston dangerous: depth, discipline, and the ability to beat you in different ways.
As the calendar inches toward the new year, the Raptors will need to regroup - and get healthy - if they want to stay in the mix in the East. For the Celtics, this was a statement game. Even without one of their stars, they looked every bit like a team built for a deep playoff run.