World Events

Stars

China

Basketball

Soccer

Tennis

N.America

Olympics

Pierce sparks Celtics to overtime win over Raptors

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-13 14:20

BOSTON - The Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors for the second time in two days on Monday, but this time they needed overtime to secure a 115-109 win.

Toronto Raptors guard Roko Ukic (L) reaches in to knock the ball away from Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game in Boston, Massachusetts January 12, 2009.[Agencies]

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 39 points despite a sore right knee for the Celtics, who held off the Raptors 94-88 in Toronto on Sunday to end a four-game losing streak.

"There's players who play the game; there's players who absolutely love the game. Paul's one of those 'love' guys," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters after Pierce was on the court for more than 49 minutes.

"He's tough as nails... (and) he's able to play through pain because of the love for the game."

Pierce nailed a three-pointer for the first points of the overtime session and the Celtics never trailed again.

"Doc's been around me long enough to know that it takes a lot to keep me off the court," Pierce told reporters.

"I was a little ginger but I was able to get some much-needed rest last night."

Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 12 rebounds to help secure the 19th victory in 21 home games for the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics, who trailed by 10 points in the third quarter before rallying.

Andrea Bargnani, who paced the Raptors with 23 points, forced overtime on a three-pointer with a second to play but was held scoreless in the extra session.

"We shot ourselves in the foot tonight," the Raptors' Chris Bosh, who added 18 points and 11 rebounds, told reporters.

"There were a couple rotations that we made mistakes," he noted. "On one (in overtime), we left the hottest guy on the court, Paul Pierce, open."