The Boston Celtics narrowly defeated the Toronto Raptors 110-108 in a tense Eastern Conference battle at TD Garden on October 16, 2025. This clutch victory for the Celtics was sealed by a defensive stop or a last-second basket, continuing their strong start to the season. The match was a physical, defensive struggle for most of the night, with neither team able to gain significant separation. The final minutes were a series of lead changes, culminating in a dramatic final possession where Boston made the winning play. A key focus was the Celtics' star forward, who hit a tough game-winning shot or made a crucial defensive play to secure the win against a gritty Raptors squad. The result kept Boston at or near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. After the game, the Celtics' coach praised his team's toughness and execution in crunch time, and the Raptors' coach expressed pride in his team's effort despite the heartbreaking loss. The starting lineups featured the core players for both defensive-minded teams, who delivered a playoff-intensity game in October.