Raptors 83 - 88 Celtics
Final
  for this game

Sullinger's big night helps Celtics snap skid

Jan 16, 2014 - 6:40 AM Boston, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jared Sullinger poured in 25 points and pulled down a career-high 20 rebounds as the Boston Celtics held on for an 88-83 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Avery Bradley added 20 points, Kris Humphries had 12 points and eight boards and Phil Pressey dished out 10 assists in his first career start for the Celtics, who snapped a nine-game skid.

"After awhile, when you lose so much and you're not used to losing, the competitive nature takes over, and that's what happens to me," Sullinger said.

Earlier Wednesday, Boston shipped guards Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks to Golden State as part of a three-team trade that also involved Miami. Boston received Miami forward Joel Anthony and will also get a protected future first-round pick and Miami's 2016 second-round pick in the deal, as well as cash considerations.

Miami received Warriors guard Toney Douglas in the swap.

DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points, Kyle Lowry had 18 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds and John Salmons added 13 points off the bench for the Raptors, who had won three straight entering the game.

"They had 19 offensive rebounds. Can't win games when you give up 19 offensive rebounds," Lowry said. "They outworked us tonight, which is rare for us. It stinks, guys are mad but they should be."

The Celtics led 73-56 at the start of the fourth quarter, but saw their edge evaporate to just three points after Steve Novak drained a 3-pointer to cap an 18-4 run.

Boston pushed its spread back to seven, 81-74, with 2:45 left, but the Raptors wouldn't go away, cutting the deficit to three several times over the closing minutes.

After Lowry cleaned up a DeRozan miss to make it 86-83 with seven seconds left, Boston was able to pass the ball around four five seconds before Brandon Bass was fouled and knocked down the subsequent free throws to seal the win.

Toronto led 25-23 after the first quarter, but was outscored 22-16 in the second to go into the break trailing 45-41. The Celtics led by as many as 18 in the third.

Game Notes

Boston outrebounded the Raptors by a 58-44 margin ... Boston outscored the Raptors 32-24 in the paint ... Toronto was just 12-for-25 from the free throw line.






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