Boston Celtics snap into form late to beat Toronto Raptors at home (PHOTOS)

The Boston Celtics looked like a team already looking past their current contest to the postseason in a tilt where the Toronto Raptors were playing like a ball club desperate to avoid falling into the play-in tournament range. And the early result went like one might expect given that dynamic, at least until the Celtics locked in to win it 115-101 in the contest’s final frame.

The Celtics won the shot margin by 4, and the battle of the boards by 13, which did not hurt the late push — and on a night that saw them shoot just 29 percent from beyond the arc to Toronto’s 40 percent from deep, scoring 76 points in the paint to the Raptors’ 58 helped save Boston from what would have been an ugly loss.

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays of the game captured in images.

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) passes the ball back against Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) chases a loose ball against Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) dunks the ball against Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a jump shot against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) shoots a layup against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots a layup against Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots a layup against Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic speaks to his player on the court during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images