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ROMEO TRACKER: Langford, Boston blown out by Raptors in home opener

October 23, 2021

By GREG MENGELT

Romeo Langford
BOSTON — It was a rough home opener for the Boston Celtics, and that included New Albany graduate Romeo Langford.

Langford played 16 minutes, going 2 for 5 from the field for 6 points in the 115-83 loss to visiting Toronto.

The Raptors led 51-47 at halftime before breaking open the game with a 20-3 run late in the second quarter. The Celtics were 1 for 8 with 4 turnovers during the drought.

Langford, who also had a rebound and a steal in the defeat, knocked down a 3-pointer with 5:53 to go in the second period to pull Boston within 37-31. He didn’t score again until Toronto had the game well in hand. His fourth quarter 3 made it 95-77 with just over four minutes remaining in the contest. Langford was 2 for 3 from behind the 3-point arc and is now 4 for 6 from deep through two games.

The Celts shot just 39 percent from the floor (32 of 82) and made just 11 of their 34 3-point attempts. They also had 25 turnovers to just 10 for the Raptors, who had 16 steals in the win.

“We didn’t make any shots,” Boston forward  Jayson Tatum said. “They just had a had little more pep in their step the second half.”

Toronto rookie Scottie Barnes led all scorers with 25 points. He also had 13 rebounds. Tatum led Boston with 18 points, 6 rebonds and 4 assists. In his season debut, Al Horford had 11 points and 11 boards for the Celtics.

“I was just happy to get back out there with the group in front of our home crowd here tonight,” Horford said. “I’ll have to continue to get to where I need to be as far as my wind and all that stuff, but I felt fine. (I was) definitely a little tired at times there, but it was just good to be back playing with the group.”

Toronto outscored the Celtics 22-9 on fastbreak points and 28-4 in second-chance points.

Langford and Celtics (0-2) seek their first win of the season Sunday when they go to Houston for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

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