By Canadian Press

Anunoby paces Raptors in 137-134 OT win over Boston Celtics to close pre-season

Oct 14, 2022 | 8:02 PM

MONTREAL — The Toronto Raptors took advantage of Jayson Tatum’s third-quarter ejection and concluded pre-season action with a 137-134 overtime win over the Boston Celtics on Friday in front of a sold-out Bell Centre.

With Pascal Siakam on a rest day, OG Anunoby was Toronto’s shining light, picking up 32 points and six rebounds. Toronto ended its pre-season with a 2-2 record and a second consecutive overtime win over Boston.

Khem Birch was the starting centre for the Raptors in his hometown. The Montrealer picked up four points, four rebounds and two assists. The Bell Centre crowd got an early opportunity to cheer on their local player when Birch drove to the net for a dunk in the first quarter. 

The Celtics pulled away with a 12-point lead in the second quarter but Annunoby’s 25-point first half paced the Raptors as they bridged the gap. Boston held a 66-63 advantage at halftime thanks to Jayson Tatum (15), Jaylen Brown (12) and Derrick White (14) all finishing the half with double-figure scoring. 

The game’s intensity surpassed pre-season standards when Tatum was ejected from the game after receiving a second technical foul with 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Toronto made a push and tied the game at 98-98 going into the fourth.

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The Raptors pulled away in the fourth quarter but Boston came back to level the score when Sam Hauser hit a three-point shot with 1:12 remaining.

Tied 127-127, Celtics guard Payton Pritchard missed a potential game winner and the contest went to overtime.

The Raptors rallied with 10 points in the extra frame and denied Boston’s last-ditch effort to close the win.

CANADIANS ON DECK

Alongside Birch, Dalano Banton was the Raptor’s second Canadian player on the court. The Toronto native tallied 13 points, four rebounds and three assists Entering his sophomore season, Banton is looking to make an impact off the bench. 

Montreal native Chris Boucher did not play due to a left hamstring strain and remained in Toronto with a non-COVID illness. Mfiondu Kabengele was the lone Canadian for the visiting Celtics but did not play.  

SOLD-OUT EVENT

Tickets for Friday’s game sold out in nine minutes. The Bell Centre hosted eight pre-season games as part of the NBA Canada Series. This was the first game played in Montreal since Kawhi Leonard’s Raptors took on the Brooklyn Nets in 2018. 

UP NEXT 

The Raptors will host the Cleveland Cavaliers in their season opener on Oct. 19 before going on a three-game road trip. The Celtics will welcome the Philadelphia 76ers for their season opener on Oct. 18.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2022.

Tristan D’Amours, The Canadian Press