Kyle Lowry rallies Raptors to victory in double-overtime thriller, forces Game 7 vs. Celtics
For the first time since Kawhi Leonard’s bouncing miracle last year, the Toronto Raptors will play a Game 7. To get there, it took a game just as wild as that win over the Philadelphia 76ers so many months ago.
Trading haymaker after haymaker in two overtimes, the Raptors outlasted the Boston Celtics in Game 6 for a classic 125-122 win.
Throwing many of the Raptors’ punches was, who else, Kyle Lowry, who led all scorers with 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting (6-of-10 from deep), plus eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and just one turnover. His final points came on a clutch fadeaway to give the Raptors a four-point lead with just a few seconds remaining.
The Raptors and Celtics will play Game 7 on Friday.
Bizarre ending to regulation
Before overtime, regulation ended with a bizarre sequence of events. Referees were involved.
With the clock ticking down, Kemba Walker drove for a game-winning layup and missed. Raptors wing OG Anunoby got the rebound, but quick hands from Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis appeared to force a jump ball. However, one official noticed Lowry calling a timeout just as Anunoby got his hands on the ball, and the timeout was ultimately granted.
Given a chance to win the game with two seconds left, the Raptors inbounded to Pascal Siakam. With the Celtics having a foul to give, Jayson Tatum fouled Siakam to break up the shot. The Raptors’ second attempt resulted in a dramatically close 3-point attempt from Siakam, and the game reached overtime.
