Immanuel Quickley struggles as Celtics defeat Raptors at home
The Toronto Raptors faced a harsh reality following their first loss after an impressive NBA Cup run, falling to the Boston Celtics on their home court. Despite holding their own for three quarters, the Raptors faltered in the fourth, unable to sustain their energy against a relentless Celtics squad. Here’s a closer look at five key statistics that defined this challenging night for Toronto.
8.3 – Immanuel Quickley’s shooting percentage
Immanuel Quickley endured one of the most difficult shooting performances of his career during the defeat. He managed to convert just one of his 12 attempts from the field, resulting in a dismal shooting percentage of 8.3. For the Raptors to compete as a top contender in the Eastern Conference, Quickley must find a way to improve his efficiency and contribute more effectively.
9 – Luka Garza’s offensive rebounds
The Raptors struggled to secure rebounds, particularly on the offensive end, where they only managed nine as a team. In a stark contrast, Celtics forward Luka Garza single-handedly racked up that same total, showcasing his dominance on the boards. Overall, Boston collected 17 offensive rebounds, a significant factor in their victory. Allowing one player to dominate the glass like this raises concerns about the Raptors’ defensive adjustments moving forward.
24 – Sandro Mamukelashvili’s points
On a brighter note, Sandro Mamukelashvili stepped up impressively in the absence of injured center Jakob Poeltl. Making his way into the starting lineup, Mamukelashvili led the Raptors with 24 points, shooting an impressive 69% from the field with nine of 13 makes. While his defensive efforts could improve, his offensive prowess was crucial in keeping Toronto competitive throughout the game.
37 – Hugo Gonzalez’s plus/minus rating
The Raptors’ bench had a rough outing, particularly when Mamukelashvili wasn’t on the floor. The most telling statistic came from rookie Hugo Gonzalez, who experienced a staggering minus-37 rating during his time on the court. Despite scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, the Celtics outscored Toronto by a wide margin while he played, highlighting the struggles of the second unit.
54 – Celtics points in the paint
The battle in the paint was another telling factor in the Celtics’ victory. Boston outscored the Raptors 54 to 32 in points in the paint, a statistic that emphasizes the impact of Poeltl’s absence. Without his defensive presence in the middle, the Raptors struggled to contain Boston’s aggressive inside play, leading to their disappointing defeat.
As the Raptors regroup from this loss, it becomes clear they have work to do to address these glaring issues. The team will need to rally and find ways to improve if they hope to remain competitive in a challenging Eastern Conference landscape.
