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Duke Basketball: Kyrie Irving sets career high in assists in Celtics victory

ByKevin Connelly|
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 19: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on December 19, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Suns defeat the Celtics 111-103. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 19: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on December 19, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Suns defeat the Celtics 111-103. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The former Duke Basketball freshman sensation, Kyrie Irving, set a new career high for assist in a game in a victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.

Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving has been in the news this week and it hasn’t been for his play on the basketball court.

Irving has publicly called out his teammates for not being able to handle adversity and not having what it takes to win an NBA Championship.

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The Celtics fell by two points against the Orlando Magic last Saturday and then fell again to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night, but Irving did not play against the Nets due to a quad injury.

However, Irving would return to the floor at home against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors.

Irving backed what he told the media and he set a new career high in assists against the Raptors with 18 assists in the Celtics 117-108 victory.

Along with the 18 points, Kyrie also scored 27 points, grabbed five rebounds, and also was able to manage a block and a steal.

Irving made 11-of-19 shots from the field and three-of-six from 3-point range against Toronto, but Kyrie and the Celtics will look to keep the momentum rolling as the Memphis Grizzlies come into Boston on Friday night.

On the season, Irving is averaging 22.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.

The Boston Celtics currently sit in the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 26-18 record, and are six and a half games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 1 seed. The Celtics are also three games behind the Indiana Pacer and the Philadelphia 76ers who are tied for the No. 3 seed.

The Boston Celtics host the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:00 pm ET on Friday night, as seven of the Celtics next eight games will be at the TD Garden.

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