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BOSTON – Kyrie Irving was just stellar Friday night.
The Boston Celtics' guard had 43 points on 18 shots against 26 in a thrilling 123-116 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors, adding 11 assists, two rebounds and three flights.
Irving really started cooking in the fourth quarter and overtime, and it became clear at one point that everyone just needed to get out of his way. Whether it was hitting three points from the parking lot or driving up to the edge and making dizzying passes, the Raptors simply had no answer for him.
LeBron James was among those who praised Irving's performance, but he was far from alone. Here's what other Celtics have to say about the star's big night.
Brad Stevens: "I think it's fair to say that when he goes like that, you change everything in. You stop in your tracks and you're looking again for spacing and opportunities to give him the ball with a dribble Even if it happens on the 3-point line with a live dribble, I think these are good things … I'm doing everything I can to stay out of his way (when he plays like that ). "
Marcus Morris: "I am a little used … I told him that he had to have an English class because his English with this ball is thin, it is nil. I have never seen anyone put the ball at the top of the board like that and get the result. "
Gordon Hayward: "Ah man, he made some pictures tonight where you're like" Wow. "You think you're a fan, and when he's in that mode, I think the whole arena knew where we were going, as well as the Raptors they just could not stop him, he played a lot tonight, we relied a lot on him.
Kyrie Irving: "Pretty peaceful (play like that). You just try to do the right readings, that's all, and take what the defense gives you. … Apart from fatigue, I do not think there is anything else in my head, but only the next part that must be played on both sides of the ground. Most teams use the same offensive package as the one used to try things throughout the game, but I just take mental notes on what will happen, and then try to do a pre-switch or an adjustment here or a screen here or something that gets somebody open. Then, of course, Brad is there to dilate everything. So it's great to have this continuity.
Miniature Photo via Bob DeChiara / USA TODAY Sports Images
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