Celtics vs Raptors: Toronto Stays Alive on OG Anunoby’s Buzzer Beater

By M.G. Alison. First Posted: Sep 04, 2020 09:56 AM EDT

Celtics thought they had it, but Raptors' OG Anunoby said no way and drilled in a three-point buzzer beater with 0.5 seconds left in the ballgame to stay alive in the Eastern Conference semifinals series, 104-103.

Anunoby saved the Toronto Raptors from a bleak future as they cut Boston Celtics' series lead to 2-1. No other team in the NBA's history has ever made it back after putting themselves in a 3-0 hole in the second round of the Playoffs.

By avoiding a 3-0 deficit, the Raptors did it again, making a come back after falling 2-0 in the last 10 years.

According to a report on CBS Sports, they did it last season when they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals. To what or who do the Raptors owe their Game 3 win against the Celtics, Hubie Brown.

Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said that he took that final play from Brown. Before becoming an analyst of the ESPN, Brown was an NBA coach and it was him who had drawn that final play that resulted to Anunoby's trey.

Nurse said it was one of the two plays that he had with him and when the Celtics took the lead on Daniel Theis dunk and left them with just .05 seconds left in the final canto, his boys were ready to execute the play.

While the Raptors were not able to execute it well, it still turned out right for Toronto. Anunoby told ESPN that the final play was designed for Pascal Siakam first, then Fred Van Vleet for the second option.

According to a report on NBC, Kyle Lowry, who opted to pass the ball to Anunoby instead of Siakam and Van Vleet, said he had confidence in him.

Anunoby did not even celebrate his feat as his teammates came rushing to hug him because he said that he knew he was going to make it. The Raptors' hero finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

He is making the most of this Playoffs series by being one of Toronto's consistent players. He has been putting up 14.7 points and eight rebounds in each game.

Anunoby was not able to play in Toronto's title run last year as he, unfortunately, had to undergo appendectomy.

The Boston Celtics was led by Kemba Walker who was marvelous all night as he finished with 29 points and three assists. He also created a lot of chances for the Celtics to score.

Lowry led the Raptors with 31 points, coupled with six rebounds and eight assists. The Raptors have no doubt shrugged off their lackluster performance in Game 1 and are sure to bank on their Game 3 win to hopefully get past the Celtics once again in Game 4.

Although, they are still looking at an uphill battle as they have to win their next four games. Celtics vs Raptors Game 4 will be on Saturday, September 6.