For one game at least, the Raptors lived up to general manager Glen Grunwald's prediction, playing a tougher, cleaner style of basketball than Toronto fans are used to, upsetting the Celtics on their home floor, and avenging two one-sided losses in the preseason.
Before the game, coach Rick Pitino and coaching legend Red Auerbach thanked the fans for continuing to support the team in the aftermath of the lockout. Still, the Fleet Center was not filled to capacity, unusual for a season opener in a town with such a strong basketball tradition.
Boston started well, with Antoine Walker scoring easily and often on Charles Oakley, and jumping out to a six-point lead on the Raptors, who seemed disoriented in the early going. They would settle down and even the score at 24-24 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw Toronto force lots of turnovers and move into a lead which they would never relinquish. Toronto held an 11 point lead at the beginning of the fourth, which Boston trimmed to 7. Coach Pitino called a timeout and the Boston crowd was going crazy. You could just feel another victory slipping away. But amazingly, the Raptors immediately went on a 10-0 run which put the game out of reach, sending the disenchanted fans to the exits.
Coach Carter went exclusively with an eight-man lineup, playing only the starters, Tracy McGrady, Dee Brown, and Reggie Slater. Reports were that John Wallace was in the coach's doghouse and backup center Michael Stewart was not yet in game shape. This left vets Willis and Oakley with a lot of minutes, and both looked good, especially Willis who led the team with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Doug Christie also had a huge game, finishing with 27. Carter and McGrady also played well, and point guard Williams was solid, having 6 assists and only 1 turnover. Toronto had a 10 rebound advantage over the Celtics, due to the presence of Oakley and Willis. All in all, a promising start!
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