The Toronto Raptors (38–40) suffered a tough loss to the Boston Celtics (49–29) on Wednesday in Toronto 115–104 after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and losing all-star Chris Bosh for the rest of the season with an injury.
Bosh had surgery on Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic after he suffered a facial fracture from the flailing arm of Antawn Jamison. He was the anchor for the team averaging 24.2 points and 11 rebounds per game.
“When something like this happens it’s time to rally, it’s not time to fold the tents,” Raptors coach Jay Triano said.
And rally they did, but not without a price. The Celtics dominated at the start of Wednesday’s game until a Toronto timeout got the defensive energy flowing.
Led by rookie guard Sonny Weems, the Raptors quickly closed the gap but then disaster struck at the end of the quarter.
Turkish big man Hedo Turkoglu was sent to the locker room with a minute to go in the quarter with a nose injury from a Tony Allen accidental headbutt. Turkoglu and two other Raptors had reached in for the ball against Allen as he drove to the basket.
Turkoglu was immediately sent to Mount Sinai Hospital for a CT scan and his return is questionable.
Now down two starters, Toronto would really have to dig deep. And that’s what they did in the second quarter, battling head on with the Celtics and closing the half up 54–52.
Several players stepped up, including Weems who finished the night with a career-high 21 points, and reserve men Antoine Wright and Jarrett Jack who finished each with 17 points.
But Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett turned on the heat in the third quarter, and the Celtics outscored the Raptors by eight points and continued the momentum into the fourth quarter.
Toronto made several pushes down the stretch with sharp shooting from Jack beyond the perimeter. But Boston answered with Michael Finley knocking down three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter alone.
The Raptors eventually got into foul trouble sending Boston to the line and that’s what made the difference.
Boston’s lead men all contributed big for the night with Rondo finishing with 21 points, Paul Pierce with 20 points, Garnett with 19 points, and Ray Allen with 18 points.
Battle for Eighth
The Raptors are battling the Chicago Bulls (37–40) for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference as the Charlotte Bobcats look like they control the seventh spot.
The Raptors have another tough game ahead of them against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday in Atlanta. Then they face Chicago on Sunday and end the season against Detroit on Monday and New York on Wednesday.
Chicago has a tougher schedule ahead of them though, playing Cleveland on Thursday and Boston next Tuesday, with the Nets and Raptors in between. The Bulls close the season against the Bobcats next Wednesday.
Bosh had surgery on Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic after he suffered a facial fracture from the flailing arm of Antawn Jamison. He was the anchor for the team averaging 24.2 points and 11 rebounds per game.
“When something like this happens it’s time to rally, it’s not time to fold the tents,” Raptors coach Jay Triano said.
And rally they did, but not without a price. The Celtics dominated at the start of Wednesday’s game until a Toronto timeout got the defensive energy flowing.
Led by rookie guard Sonny Weems, the Raptors quickly closed the gap but then disaster struck at the end of the quarter.
Turkish big man Hedo Turkoglu was sent to the locker room with a minute to go in the quarter with a nose injury from a Tony Allen accidental headbutt. Turkoglu and two other Raptors had reached in for the ball against Allen as he drove to the basket.
Turkoglu was immediately sent to Mount Sinai Hospital for a CT scan and his return is questionable.
Now down two starters, Toronto would really have to dig deep. And that’s what they did in the second quarter, battling head on with the Celtics and closing the half up 54–52.
Several players stepped up, including Weems who finished the night with a career-high 21 points, and reserve men Antoine Wright and Jarrett Jack who finished each with 17 points.
But Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett turned on the heat in the third quarter, and the Celtics outscored the Raptors by eight points and continued the momentum into the fourth quarter.
Toronto made several pushes down the stretch with sharp shooting from Jack beyond the perimeter. But Boston answered with Michael Finley knocking down three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter alone.
The Raptors eventually got into foul trouble sending Boston to the line and that’s what made the difference.
Boston’s lead men all contributed big for the night with Rondo finishing with 21 points, Paul Pierce with 20 points, Garnett with 19 points, and Ray Allen with 18 points.
Battle for Eighth
The Raptors are battling the Chicago Bulls (37–40) for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference as the Charlotte Bobcats look like they control the seventh spot.
The Raptors have another tough game ahead of them against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday in Atlanta. Then they face Chicago on Sunday and end the season against Detroit on Monday and New York on Wednesday.
Chicago has a tougher schedule ahead of them though, playing Cleveland on Thursday and Boston next Tuesday, with the Nets and Raptors in between. The Bulls close the season against the Bobcats next Wednesday.
