Raptors hold off surging Celtics to stay atop Atlantic Division

The Toronto Raptors had lost two in a row in rather ugly fashion, with the prospect of three straight a distinct possibility as the charging Boston Celtics pulled into the Air Canada Centre on a wintery Tuesday night.

Boston has been peering at Toronto’s back all season in the standings and, predictably, was growing rather tired of the view.

A four-game winning streak, along with the continued inspired play of point guard Isaiah Thomas, had pulled the Celtics to within one game of the Raptors’ hold of first place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

What would normally constitute a throw-away contest in the midst of a long season suddenly had some jam for two teams not yet ready to cede ownership of the East to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We’ve had two losses, which is not a reason to panic,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey said before the game. “But just the way we lost. So everything goes all into the mix.

“Our focus, our energy, our toughness – whatever the adjectives you want to use has to be in play.”

Heartbreaking loss by knicks