Celtics 115, Raptors 101: Boston Finishes Strong at Home

The Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 115-101 on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at TD Garden, with Jaylen Brown leading all scorers with 26 points and Jayson Tatum delivering a complete 23-point, 13-rebound, seven-assist effort as Boston used a dominant fourth quarter to secure the home win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

The game opened evenly, with both teams scoring 26 points in the first period. Toronto moved the ball well early and got balanced production, while Boston matched that pace by working efficiently inside the arc and keeping the Raptors from building any early separation.

Second Quarter

Boston started to take control in the second, outscoring Toronto 28-20. The Celtics tightened up defensively and found a steadier offensive rhythm, turning a tied game after one into a 54-46 halftime lead. Their ability to string together stops without sacrificing shot quality gave them the edge heading into the break.

Third Quarter

Toronto answered with its best offensive stretch of the night in the third quarter, putting up 31 points and trimming into Boston’s lead. The Raptors’ passing remained sharp, and they consistently found clean looks, but the Celtics still added 26 points of their own to hold a narrow 80-77 advantage entering the final period.

Fourth Quarter

The game turned decisively in the fourth. Boston outscored Toronto 35-24 in the closing 12 minutes, pulled away with efficient half-court offense, and controlled the glass during the final stretch. The Celtics’ execution on both ends turned a one-possession game into a comfortable 14-point result by the final horn.

Key Performers

Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 26 points. Jayson Tatum was the most complete player on the floor, finishing with 23 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Boston also posted 25 assists as a team and shot 53.4% from the field, a major factor in separating late.

Toronto Raptors
Ja’Kobe Walter paced Toronto with 16 points, while Scottie Barnes led the Raptors in rebounds and assists with six boards and eight assists. Toronto moved the ball effectively, finishing with 31 assists, but could not match Boston’s rebounding margin or fourth-quarter efficiency.

NerdSports Stat: Boston won by 14 despite making just eight 3-pointers, because the Celtics shot 53.4% overall and finished plus-13 on the glass, including a 36-23 edge in defensive rebounds.

Game Analysis

This game was decided less by volume from deep and more by Boston’s consistency across the full floor. The Celtics made the same number of 3-pointers as the Raptors, but they were far more efficient overall, shooting 47-for-88 from the field. That gave them a steady scoring base even when the outside shot was not a major separator.

Rebounding also played an important role. Boston finished with 44 rebounds to Toronto’s 31, which helped limit second chances for the Raptors and gave the Celtics more opportunities to play with control in the second half. Tatum’s 13 rebounds stood out in that area, especially in a game that was still close entering the fourth quarter.

Toronto had positives to build on, particularly its ball movement. The Raptors recorded 31 assists on 40 made field goals and stayed competitive through three quarters. But the final period exposed the difference in late-game execution. Boston defended with more discipline, generated better looks, and maintained composure once it regained momentum.

Closing Context

The win moved Boston to 53-25 overall and 27-11 at home, an important result as the Celtics continue to strengthen their position near the top of the Eastern Conference heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Toronto fell to 43-35, still firmly in the East playoff picture, but the loss was a missed chance to improve its road standing against one of the conference’s top teams.

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