Did Toronto's nightlife catch up to the Celtics' star duo in loss to Raptors?

New year, new Raps? It sure seems like it.

The reigning, defending, almighty 2024 NBA Champions, Boston Celtics, came into town for a showdown at Scotiabank Arena, and the Toronto Raptors gave them a run for their money. Despite coming into the matchup as heavy betting favorites, the otherwise overlooked Raptors would hold them to less than 100 points en route to a dominant 110-97 victory.

This was just icing on the cake for Raptors fans, who were already riding a nice high thanks to the team's victory over Golden State on January 13, which was propelled by a fourth-quarter frenzy led by Chris Boucher.

Talk about some huge wins for a back-to-back campaign at home, against two recent championship franchises no less. Not too shabby for a rebuilding squad, huh?

Better yet, would you believe it was neither the Celtics' star-studded tandem of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who led their team in scoring? It was standout sixth man Payton Pritchard actually.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum had no answer for the Toronto Raptors

The two Star Jay's (no, not StaRJ, like RJ Barrett, although he might not be getting the credit for a potential All-Star appearance that you'd expect) struggled significantly on January 15, as they failed to find an offensive rhythm.

Jaylen Brown would only put up 10 points on 4-for-16 field goal shooting, while Jayson Tatum recorded 16 points on an equally mediocre 5-for-15 field goal shooting night. Without a doubt, a tough go-around at the office for the C's, who came into this Raptors showdown with everyone expecting them to dominate.

So, what exactly went wrong for Boston's widely acclaimed duo? Perhaps a night out in the Six, indulging in Toronto's vibrant after-hours scene, had Brown and Tatum working overtime. Well, at least that’s what some on social media playfully suggested after their rough night.

Did Brown and Tatum party a little too hard in Toronto?

That's right; despite coming into town as opposing rivals, that doesn't mean they aren't welcomed into the city with open arms. As it seems, Toronto rapper Top5 had a blast hanging out with Boston's two favorite sons. Given Top5's close association with Drake, perhaps this was all a big ruse to make Boston's two top stars a little groggy for their epic showdown with the Raptors.

Ah, that would be something, wouldn't it? However, it's hard to say for certain whether a sneaky inside job or another factor is to blame, but something clearly clicked for the Raptors on January 15, whereas it didn't for the Celtics.

Saying 'Oh yeah, it's because Brown and Tatum did poorly' would be a quick scapegoat. Such a statement would dismiss the immense effort the Raptors displayed as a unit, showcasing significant strides in their defensive efforts and overall contributions from both the starters and bench players.

For Raptors fans, this victory tastes oh so sweet, especially considering that it is the team's first victory over the Celtics since March 28, 2022.

Although the tank largely remains alive and it's always a chase to win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, perhaps Toronto can keep the vibes going. They could focus on better showcases of fighting spirit, whether they continue to churn out wins or experience close-margin losses.