Boston Celtics: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 8: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images /

10. Kyrie drops 43 in overtime win against Toronto Raptors

Early in the season, the Celtics stumbled out of the gates to an 8-6 record through 14 games. Losses to the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, and Denver Nuggets — all eventual playoff teams — made their refurbished team’s start to the season seem underwhelming.

But a bright spot at the midway point of November came in a thrilling overtime win against the Toronto Raptors, where Kyrie Irving posted 43 points on 18-of-26 shooting. It was a victory they owed the Raps, who took the first matchup in Toronto, 113-101.

The Celtics led Toronto most of the game, but were led by Irving late in the fourth and in the extra time, where his “Uncle Drew” persona took over, scoring and assisting on nearly all of Boston’s final baskets to seal the win.

Kyrie Irving goes off for 43 PTS (18-26 FGM), 11 AST to power the @celtics to victory in overtime at TD Garden! #CUsRise pic.twitter.com/1oKK0dJwdy
— NBA (@NBA) November 17, 2018

His 11 assists that night also helped set the tone for what would be Kyrie’s most productive season passing the ball. With the wealth of talent around him, Irving took advantage of double-teams and became an elite distributor in his first full season with the team.

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