The Celtics didn’t make it easy on themselves on Sunday, but they made it count.Boston blew a 23-point lead, but regrouped late to escape Toronto with a 121-113 win, stretching its winning streak to five games.

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 8 in the fourth, steadying the Celtics offensively and defensively after Toronto’s 23-4 run. That run turned a blowout into a one-possession game early in the final quarter.

Once the starters regrouped, the Celtics regained control, holding Toronto to just 18 points over the final nine minutes.

Brown delivered another All-NBA-level performance, finishing with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists across 39 high-usage minutes.

White added 27 points, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, continuing what has quietly been one of the best stretches of his season.

Five Celtics scored in double figures, moving Boston to 15-9 and ahead of Toronto (15-10) in the Atlantic Division standings.

The Raptors lost their third straight, despite Brandon Ingram’s 30 points. Seven Raptors hit double digits, but Boston’s poise prevailed.

The Celtics now get a rare breather: three full days off before Thursday’s trip to Milwaukee to face a Giannis-less Bucks team (10-15). After six games in nine days and wins over every other top-six East team, the Celtics enter the break playing their best basketball of the season.

Here are four takeaways from Sunday afternoon’s win:

1. Boston Offense Humming Early:

Boston’s first-half offense was every bit as explosive as it has looked during this recent surge.

The Celtics dropped 77 points before halftime, shooting 56% from the field and 44% from deep.

Brown and White set the tone, but Boston’s work on the offensive glass may have mattered even more: 9 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points. For an aspect of their game that has been a problem all season long, it’s always great to see Boston have big nights on the boards.

The Raptors were overwhelmed by Boston’s pace, spacing, and relentlessness on the boards as the Celtics built a 21-point cushion at the break.

2. Defense Disappears In The 3rd:

The Celtics’ recent wins have come largely through firepower, but the lack of defensive focus finally caught up to them after halftime.

Toronto shot a blistering 65% in the third and drilled all three of its 3-point attempts, erasing nearly the entire Boston lead in a matter of minutes.

Ingram poured in 11 in the frame, the Raptors pushed in transition, and the Celtics were suddenly on their heels.

The slippage forced head coach Joe Mazzulla to shorten the rotation sooner than he wanted, turning a would-be coast into a scrap.

Speaking of Toronto…

3. Raptors’ Bench Outplays Boston’s:

Boston’s depth, a recent strength, was absent Sunday.The Raptors’ bench outscored and outworked Boston’s, especially after halftime.

Four Toronto reserves had at least 9 points; only Anfernee Simons reached double digits for Boston’s bench. That disparity - and the third-quarter collapse - led Mazzulla to reinsert the starters with nine minutes left as an immediate stabilizing force.

All of this is to say - the Raptors might be a problem come playoff time. This team wasn’t expected to do anything of note this season, and I’m not predicting a deep playoff run. But in a weaker Eastern Conference, there’s no doubt in my mind this team could push a team to six games in a first-round series, maybe even steal a round if Ingram stays healthy.

4. Rest Has Arrived:

The Celtics just completed a grueling stretch: six games in nine days, 10 wins in their last 12, and a climb into the No. 3 seed in the East as of publishing.

Now, they get a rare midseason reset.

After Sunday, Boston plays just three times over the next 12 days.

With a trip to Milwaukee next and the new year approaching, the Celtics find themselves healthy (mostly), hot, and increasingly confident.

For a team that’s beaten every top-six East opponent during this tear, the timing of this break couldn’t be better.

…cue the Duck Boats!

Kidding…kinda.

Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.