The Toronto Raptors faced a nail-biting defeat against the Boston Celtics in the NBA In-Season Tournament, with Boston maintaining an undefeated record of 2-0 against Toronto this season. Despite a fierce competition that extended into the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, the Celtics emerged victorious.
During the intense matchup, both teams traded baskets in a race to the finish line. The Raptors, playing from behind, staged a strong comeback, making the game a close contest. However, a pivotal decision by Toronto’s head coach, Darko Rajaković, proved to be costly in hindsight.
Expressing accountability for the outcome, Rajaković admitted his error, particularly regarding the substitution of Scottie Barnes. Barnes, who contributed 14 points to the game, was replaced by Precious Achiuwa with 4:32 minutes remaining. Unfortunately, Barnes did not return until there were only 26 seconds left on the clock. This strategic move allowed Celtics guard Derrick White to secure a critical 3-pointer, ultimately securing Boston’s lead.
Rajaković acknowledged his misjudgment, stating, “I was down to two timeouts, I was hoping to get him in faster,” and accepted responsibility for the decision. Despite Barnes later drawing a personal foul on Al Horford and converting two free throws, reducing the deficit to 108-103, it wasn’t enough to alter the final outcome.
Despite the loss, Rajaković commended his team’s valiant effort against one of the league’s top teams, emphasizing moments of solid defense and offense against a formidable opponent. The Raptors, lacking the star power seen in Boston’s starting lineup, demonstrated resilience and competitiveness throughout the closely contested game.
Leave a Reply