The Read & React: Celtics crumble (again) vs. Raptors

Celtics paid the price for doing nothing : When I learned that Indiana wanted the whole boat for Paul George and the Bulls weren’t interested in moving Butler all that much, I excused Danny Ainge for not unboxing the fireworks now. My fury didn’t falter for the C’s not making some move to improve.

DeRozan has career-high 43, Raptors beat Celtics 107-97

DeMar DeRozan scored a career-high 43 points and the Toronto Raptors rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 107-97 on Friday night. DeRozan shot 15 of 28 from the floor as he surpassed his 42-point effort against the Houston Rockets on March 30, 2015, helping the Raptors overcome the absence of fellow All-Star Kyle Lowry.

#Standpat

Both sensible Celtic fans and the organization alike agree that the team is best suited to build for the future, when superpowers Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers burn out and when the young core of Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn draft selections are ready to take over. This was evident when the Celtics refused to trade for DeMarcus Cousins, who would have costed the them Jaylen Brown and/or Brooklyn Picks.

Celtics G Bradley, F Brown out with injuries

Boston guard Avery Bradley and rookie forward Jaylen Brown have been ruled out for the Celtics’ final game before the All-Star break due to injuries. Gerald Green was questionable for Thursday night’s game at Chicago, but he entered in the first quarter.

Thomas has 34 and Celtics beat Blazers 120-111

Isaiah Thomas scored 34 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Boston Celtics rebounded from a loss the previous night to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-111 on Thursday. Marcus Smart added 18 for the Celtics, who had seven scorers in double figures.

Celtics winning streak ends with sloppy loss in Sacramento

For every night when it seems the Celtics can score with any team in the NBA, there comes a time like the one last night, when the make/miss principle takes a fateful turn. The Celtics’ seven-game winning streak hit a wall with last night’s 108-92 loss to the Kings, deprived for the night of the suspended DeMarcus Cousins.

Celtics winning streak ends with sloppy loss in Sacramento

For every night when it seems the Celtics can score with any team in the NBA, there comes a time like the one last night, when the make/miss principle takes a fateful turn. The Celtics’ seven-game winning streak hit a wall with last night’s 108-92 loss to the Kings, deprived for the night of the suspended DeMarcus Cousins.

Thomas scores 38, Celtics pull away to beat Wizards

Isaiah Thomas scored 20 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter and the Boston Celtics pulled away late for a 117-108 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night . Al Horford added 16 points and nine rebounds, Jae Crowder scored 20 and Terry Rozier had 11 for the Celtics, who won for the fifth time in six games and ended Washington’s three-game winning streak.