Raptors 86, Celtics 74
DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 86-74 wire-to-wire win over the visiting Boston Celtics on Friday.
Toronto snapped a five-game losing streak to the Celtics as well as a three-game overall losing skid. Boston has dropped back-to-back outings after winning five straight.
DeRozan mixed mid-range jumpers and tough takes to the basket, getting seven of his points from the foul line. He had the Canadian fans on their feet with a sky-high alley-oop finish that was part of a 14-1 start to the game for Toronto.
Point guard Jose Calderon played a controlled pace for the Raptors, scoring 17 points and dishing out 14 assists. He buried a step-back 3-pointer to extend the lead to 12 with 1:38 remaining in the game.
The Celtics looked gassed a night after losing at home to the rival Los Angeles Lakers in overtime. Boston committed 13 of its 16 turnovers in the first half, giving up 17 points off the miscues. Boston would come as close as six after trailing by as many as 16, but didn't have enough left in the tank to complete the comeback.
Kevin Garnett led Boston with 17 points. Rajon Rondo struggled, scoring only five points and getting into numerous physical confrontations as the game wore on.
Amir Johnson and Aaron Gray were a handful on the glass, grabbing a total of 33 boards as Toronto out-rebounded Boston 42-34.
Paul Pierce finished with 12 points for the Celtics, while Ray Allen shot just 3 for 8 and scored only six points.