Facing a nine-point deficit in the closing minutes, the Raptors were headed toward a loss. Then one flukey play might have cost them much more.
Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Al Jefferson added 22 points and nine rebounds to help the Celtics beat Toronto 95-87 on Monday. The Raptors also lost Spanish rookie Jorge Garbajosa to a left ankle injury that put him in the hospital.
Garbajosa left on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital. Toronto spokesman Rover Yau said Garbajosa would stay in the hospital overnight for evaluation.