Celtics crush Raptors, 100-64

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BOSTONBeat 'em down. And thenbeat 'em down some more.

The Boston Celtics have seen their share of weak foes this year.

But it wasn't until Wednesday night's 100-64 thumping of the Toronto Raptors did they crush an opponent from the opening tip until the final horn sounded.

It was the kind of win that the C's (11-10) of old, are used to delivering against a Raptors team that's once again in rebuilding mode.

Even Kevin Garnett, who does a little bit of everything most nights, had a new trick for the Garden faithful.

With time running out in the second half, Garnett launched a contested 3-pointer that went in.

It was only his fifth (in 30 tries) 3-pointer as a Celtic, which gave Boston a commanding 57-35 lead.

Boston's lead ballooned past the 30-point plateau in the second half, and seemed to only grow over time. A big part of the Celtics' success was the 3-point shot, as the C's connected on a season-high 12 3-pointers.

Bolting out to such a huge lead had a much different feel about it compared to Tuesday's game in Cleveland, a game in which the Celtics led by as many as 22 points in the second half only to see that lead cut to as little as two points late in the fourth quarter before holding on for a 93-90 win.

The C's had no thoughts about Tuesday's game or any game in the past for that matter, against the Raptors.

Their focus was to do the best with what they had, as they continue to play short-handed.

Playing without Rajon Rondo (wrist) for the eighth straight game, his replacements -- Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore -- continue to show the kind of growth the C's like to see from its young players.

Bradley, who has been one of the C's better defenders, tied a season-high with 11 points. And Moore, more of a playmaker than defender, had eight points.

Paul Pierce led all scorers with 17 points to go with six rebounds and eight assists. The Raptors were led by Jerryd Bayless' 14 points, and Ed Davis' double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

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