Celtics hang in late to close out Raptors
TORONTO -- The Raptors' flagship radio station described the Celtics as ''desperately" trying to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. It was an attempt at drumming up interest in last night's game.
But with the Blue Jays playing their season opener a few blocks away, it was a futile attempt. Then again, how do you make a game between two lottery-bound teams sound exciting?
For what it's worth, the Celtics probably got more excitement than they wanted from the Raptors. In a close finish, Boston prevailed, 124-120, officially eliminating Toronto from the playoff picture before what seemed to be a three-quarters-full
After falling behind by 7 points midway though the fourth quarter, the Celtics tied the game, 109-109, on a pair of free throws by Ryan Gomes with 2:06 remaining. Doc Rivers went with a surprising lineup of Gerald Green (11 points), Tony Allen (13 points), Paul Pierce (22 points), Wally Szczerbiak (22 points), and Gomes (17 points) for the final two minutes.
Following the tie, Boston converted on all nine of its final possessions, while Toronto scored on only five of its final nine. Gomes, Green, Pierce, and Szczerbiak proved clutch at the line, hitting just enough free throws to keep their lead. It was only fitting that Green capped the win with a windmill dunk reminiscent of the controversial one he threw down the last time the teams met.
''I thought that group got us in the game and I wasn't going to go with anyone else," said Rivers. ''We were going to win or lose with the group out there. Their energy got us back in and I was not going to put anyone else in. I didn't care what situation it was."
That group helped the Celtics rally after they squandered an opportunity to put the game out of reach in the third. Boston took control in the quarter with a 14-2 run featuring 3-pointers from Delonte West and Szczerbiak. When Pierce capped the run with a pair of foul shots with 5:06 remaining, the Celtics had an 83-71 lead.
But the Raptors responded with a 9-0 run. Although he struggled from the floor, Mike James stayed aggressive throughout the game. His efforts were rewarded with four trips to the line, a driving dunk, and a steal in the closing minute of the third. James returned the lead to Toronto, 90-89, at the end of the period.
''Unfortunately, we haven't been able to pull games out," said Morris Peterson (32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists). ''It seemed like [last night] was the same story, just a different day.
''We need to understand that down the stretch we have to come together, and we have to make sure we do the little things."
In the first half, it was a big man doing all the right things who pushed Boston ahead. Raef LaFrentz (20 points, 8 rebounds) was a big reason the Celtics shot close to 60 percent from the floor and finished the first half with a 63-61 lead.
The veteran capped a 9-0 run with his fourth 3-pointer of the first half, giving Boston a 54-51 lead and the momentum it needed to stay in front until intermission. A trey from Szczerbiak stretched the advantage to 5 points (61-56) with 1:23 left in the half.
While the Celtics could take a measure of satisfaction from the win, they had to be concerned about turnovers. They finished the game with 20 turnovers (for 29 points), but by staying aggressive, they went to the line almost twice as often as the Raptors (53-28), and that helped make up for their careless play.
