Game 6 is here and it’s the biggest game of the season for both the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
For Toronto, it’s win or go home. A loss ends the Raptors’ valiant title defence while a win forces a decisive Game 7.
For Boston, a win clinches its third appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals over the last four years.
Who will come out on top? Follow along below for live score updates, news, stats and highlights from what is sure to be an electric Game 6.
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics Game 6: Live score, updates, news, stats and highlights
PREVIEW | BOX SCORE | PLAY-BY-PLAY
End of second quarter: Boston Celtics 52, Toronto Raptors 48
7:45 p.m. – What a response from the Raptors.
After trailing by as much as 12 points in the second quarter, the Raptors close the half on a 8-2 run to make it a two possession game.
Kyle Lowry is leading the way for the Raptors with 15 points. Serge Ibaka has also provided a big boost, coming off the bench with nine points and three blocks.
The biggest concern for the Raptors right now? Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet haven’t been able to find their rhythm. The two have a combined seven points on 3-for-16 shooting from the field. They’ll need to be better in the second half for the Raptors to pull this off.
It’s been the Jaylen Brown show for the Celtics. He’s already up to 21 points, making for his second-highest scoring game of this series.
Right now, PointsBet gives the Celtics a 68.3 percent chance of winning this game.
7:38 p.m. – Serge Ibaka is keeping the Raptors in this. He makes his third 3-pointer of the quarter.
7:32 p.m. – Serge Ibaka drains back-to-back 3s for the Raptors to make it a six point game. Much-needed for the Raptors.
7:25 p.m. – Brad Wanamaker knocks down a 3-pointer to give the Celtics an 11-point lead with 7:57 to go in the second quarter, their largest lead of the game. Timeout Raptors.
7:24 p.m. – Jaylen Brown is feeling it early. He has 17 of Boston’s 33 points, doing so on 7-for-13 shooting from the field.
7:20 p.m. – The Celtics are punishing the Raptors on the glass, pulling down nine offensive rebounds already. The Raptors can’t afford to give that many Celtics second chance opportunities.
End of first quarter: Boston Celtics 25, Toronto Raptors 21
7:16 p.m. – It’s been a struggle for both teams.
Whereas the Raptors finish the first quarter shooting 7-for-23 (30.4 percent) from the field, the Celtics were an only slightly better 8-for-26 (30.8 percent). Both Pascal Siakam and Jayson Tatum are off to slow starts, with the two All-Stars combining for eight points on 2-for-13 shooting.
Even though it’s only a four point game, PointsBet currently gives the Celtics a 60.7 percent chance of winning heading into the second quarter.
7:13 p.m. – Jayson Tatum comes up with a big block on Pascal Siakam in the closing seconds of the first quarter.
7:05 p.m. – Another ice cold start for the Raptors. They’re up to 13 points on 4-for-15 shooting from the field and 2-for-6 from 3-point range. The Celtics aren’t shooting that much better, but they have an early seven point lead.
7:03 p.m. – Well, it didn’t take long for Serge Ibaka to make his presence felt. He blocks two shots on his first defensive possession, the second of which forces a jump ball.
7:02 p.m. – Serge Ibaka is coming in for Marc Gasol. I guess that means his ankle is feeling OK.
6:57 p.m. – An update on Serge Ibaka from Marc J. Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated:
6:51 p.m. – Marcus Smart picks up his second foul of the game with 9:55 to play in the first quarter. He’s staying in the game, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Smart is already making an impact in this game – he has nine points, all of which have come from the 3-point line – and the Celtics need his defence on Kyle Lowry.
6:49 p.m. – The Raptors aren’t messing around, opening Game 6 in zone defence. They’ve played quite a bit of zone in this series, but I don’t remember them going to it this early.
Pregame
6:38 p.m. – An encouraging stat for the Raptors: Nick Nurse is 38-15 (.717) following a loss in his head coaching career, according to ESPN. That’s the best winning percentage in NBA history (min. 50 games played).
5:59 p.m. – No surprises for the Celtics. Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Daniel Theis get the start.
5:45 p.m. – Same starting unit for the Raptors, who will go with Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Marc Gasol.
5:10 p.m. – After suffering a sprained ankle in Game 5, Serge Ibaka is good to go for Game 6.
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Source:- NBA CA
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