Celtics vs. Raptors score, highlights, updates: Everything fans need to see

The Boston Celtics travelled up north for a Sunday evening game against the Toronto Raptors. Heading into the game, the Celtics are riding a four-game win streak, while the Raptors have lost two in a row. That said, Toronto has enjoyed a very successful start to the season and is currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, while the Celtics are in fourth.

A win for Boston would put them half a game up on the Raptors, securing their spot in third in the East. The Celtics have been on fire lately, taking down a bunch of the top Eastern Conference teams.

No matter what way it’s spun, Sunday’s game will be an important one, and all updates can be found here.

Celtics hold on to beat Raptors 121-113

Toronto fought hard. They battled. And Brandon Ingram was an incredible lead scorer for them in the closing moments, even nailing an insane shot over Derrick White to keep the Raptors' hopes alive. But it wasn't enough.

Tough shots from White and Payton Pritchard kept Boston afloat, and Jaylen Brown helped close things down with some free throws.

The Raptors were one Sandro Mamukelashvili miracle three away from really having a chance to complete the comeback, but it didn't fall. White drew a charge on Scottie Barnes to finalize the victory for Boston.

Instead, the Celtics picked up their fifth win in a row - their longest streak of the season - and overtook the Raptors for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics barely hanging on - Score: 110-104 Celtics, 4:17 left in fourth quarter

Toronto is still getting transition chances, but the Celtics have just barely managed to stop them time and time again. Whether it's tough contests from Neemias Queta or big-time rebounds, they've slowed down the Raptors.

Payton Pritchard nailed another huge three, this time, in transition, and Darko Rajaković called a timeout in response.

Derrick White and Payton Pritchard trying to save Celtics - Score: 105-102 Celtics, 7:07 left in fourth quarter

The Raptors took their first lead of the game thanks to some elite play in transition. Boston has struggled to keep up with Toronto when it has gotten out running, and a that's hurting the Celtics' offense, too.

However, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard made a pair of super tough shots in the half-court, both with the shot clock hunting them down. It's helped keep Boston in this game, while also slowing down the blistering pace Toronto has played with.

What once looked like a runaway win for the Celtics has quickly turned into a tightly-contested game which could come down to the wire in crunch-time.

AJ Lawson brings Raptors within one - Score: 97-96 Celtics, 11:16 left in fourth quarter

A very early timeout for Joe Mazzulla, as the Celtics have given up their entire lead, and Toronto cut the game down to a one-point contest with an AJ Lawson three in transition.

That's been the story: The Raptors have been running all over the Celtics, capitalizing on Boston's shooting, which cooled off significantly in the second half.

Raptors have stolen all momentum from Celtics - Score: 97-91, end of third quarter

Anfernee Simons nailed a three for Boston in a two-for-one situation, but the Raptors still rolled to end the third quarter. Jamal Shead even got a steal on the final Boston possession of the third.

Toronto was in complete command to end the period, and the Celtics are desperately trying to defend a lead that is slowly being whittled away by Brandon Ingram and company.

Brandon Ingram has lifted Raptors back into game - Score: 91-84 Celtics, 2:22 left in third quarter

Transition opportunities have continued to hurt the Celtics in the third quarter, as they haven't done a great job of getting back and contesting shots after their own misses. This is how the Raptors have managed to stay in this game.

Brandon Ingram is giving the Raptors a healthy dose of scoring, too, which is carrying them forward despite an off night in most areas.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have gone a bit cold from the field, and some costly turnovers haven't helped, either. As the quarter has moved forward, Toronto has turned up its intensity in tandem with its success in transition.

After a tough Ingram finish around a Derrick White contest, Anfernee Simons missed a floater, and the ball went out of bounds (awarded to Toronto after White poked it away in transition). Josh Minott got turned around in the half-court, and Toronto nailed a three to bring the game within seven.

All momentum rests with the Raptors. They are on a 20-4 run.

Celtics giving up some of lead to Raptors - Score: 89-73, 6:16 left in the third quarter

Toronto is slowly working its way back into the game by capitalizing on the Celtics' missed shots. They're running more in transition, and the fast-paced offense is helping them scratch and claw their way back into the contest.

The Celtics still hold a solid lead, and they've made some tough shots in the third quarter, but Joe Mazzulla likely called a timeout here for a reason. He wants to get his guys back on track.

Threes and transition beating Raptors - Score: 87-64 Celtics, 8:32 left in third quarter

To start the third quarter, the Celtics were moving a tad slow, but they corrected that issue very quickly. Big plays from Neemias Queta and Jaylen Brown shifted the tides towards Boston once again, and the Raptors fell into a slog.

Jakob Poeltl can't guard Brown on the perimter, and Boston's hectic defense is completely disrupting the Raptors' flow. They're getting blocked constantly, and the Celtics are deep into their passing lanes, too.

Jaylen Brown, Derrick White on fire - Score: 77-59 Celtics, Half-time

Boston has blown this game wide open. Their three-point shooting has completely taken over, and the Raptors can't seem to figure out how to slow them down. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined to score 33 first-half points, and Boston has found contributions elsewhere, too.

Neemias Queta has been a monster in the paint, Sam Hauser is shooting the ball well and playing great defense, and Jordan Walsh is continuing his stretch of elite play on both ends of the court.

The Raptors just can't keep up with the Celtics.

Celtics are dominating Raptors - Score: 65-49 Celtics, 3:44 left in second quarter

Transition buckets, threes, and defensive stops: The Raptors cannot keep up with the Celtics right now. Everything Boston touches turns to gold, and Toronto looks like its running in mud.

Jaylen Brown looks like an MVP candidate, and Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser have filled in the gaps around him. It's been all Celtics.

Jordan Walsh is absolutely dominating - Score: 55-45 Celtics, 6:22 left in second quarter

Jordan Walsh has been incredible. Defensive plays, smart passes, and a monster put-back slam (as evidenced below). Unfortunately, three quick fouls forced Joe Mazzulla to pull him from the game, but luckily, Hugo Gonzalez came in and picked up where Walsh left off.

Gonzalez made his first three, then drove a close-out from the corner for a dunk. He's brought some great energy to the Celtics' lineup.

Toronto has had no answer for Boston's offensive attack thus far, and their drop coverage has been absolutely obliterated.

Defensive mistakes have helped Raptors - Score: 41-35 Celtics, 9:38 left in second quarter

The Celtics have allowed the Raptors to chip away at their lead a bit as a result of some defensive breakdowns. Scottie Barnes has bullied Josh Minott in the paint, and Anfernee Simons missed a defensive rotation that cost Boston a bucket.

Minott and Jordan Walsh messing up a switch on Barnes led to an open AJ Lawson three in the corner, which made Joe Mazzulla to call a timeout.

Celtics vs. Raptors score: 34-26 Celtics, end of first quarter

Derrick White's hot start contnued as he led the Celtics to a 34-point first quarter with his 14-point solo effort. Jaylen Brown's passing was impressive, too, but the real star of the show was Boston's defense.

The Celtics racked up nine stocks in the quarter, grabbing four steals and blocking five shots. They completely hounded the Raptors on that side of the ball, highlighted by impressive plays from Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh.

Celtics vs. Raptors score: 26-16 Celtics, 3:40 left in first quarter

The Celtics' red-hot shooting has continued, led by Derrick White, who has jumped out to a 3-of-5 start from long range. Jaylen Brown's playmaking has been crucial for Boston, and though the Raptors have broken their offensive slump, they haven't been able to slow down the Celtics.

Joe Mazzulla took a timeout to challenge a charge call that went against White, arguing that it should have been a push on Jamal Shead. However, Boston lost the challenge, and the call stood.

Celtics vs. Raptors score: 10-3 Celtics, 8:32 left in first quarter

Toronto called the first timeout of the game with 8:32 remaining in the first quarter.

A messy start to the game was broken up by five straight points from Derrick White, who nailed a two and then a three thanks to some nice screening by Neemias Queta and Jaylen Brown's playmaking.

Speaking of, Brown's offensive creation has spearheaded Boston's early lead, as he's gotten his teammates plenty of open looks. Jordan Walsh nailed a three in the corner, and even though he missed a layup in transition, Brown was there to clean it up for the put-back.

Boston up 10-3 early.

Celtics announce starting lineup vs. Raptors

The Celtics will be rolling out a starting lineup of Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, and Neemias Queta against the Raptors. It's become Joe Mazzulla's go-to starting five, coinciding with the emergence of Walsh as one of the most winning players around the NBA.

Walsh's defense against some of the top stars around the league has spearheaded his glow-up, and his efficiency has helped him remain toward the top of Boston's rotation.

The Raptors started Immanuel Quickley, Ja'Kobe Walter, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. RJ Barrett is out due to a knee issue, so Walter replaced him in the starting lineup.