A cavalier attitude at the end of the third led to an uncomfortably close game in the fourth. The 3-pointer by Pierce represented the end, not the continuation of what Rivers called the "best stretch of basketball" by Boston this season. The conclusion of the third and start of the fourth could only be described as "horrible" by Rivers. No defense meant a disappearing lead down the stretch. Only a missed layup by Toronto point guard Milt Palacio at the buzzer preserved Boston's 110-109 victory.
Unlike in recent late-game triumphs, the Celtics did not linger on the parquet in celebration, preferring to quickly and quietly head to the locker room, annoyed at what transpired.
"I guess the good news is that our guys are upset," said Rivers. "We've come a long way when we win a game and the guys have their heads down."
Boston led by 14 points (93-79) after Al Jefferson completed a 3-point play with 10 minutes 30 seconds remaining. That was when the Raptors reverted to the form that helped them set an NBA record with 21 3-pointers against the 76ers last Sunday. Field goals from the arc by Donyell Marshall (2) and Jalen Rose quickly reduced the Toronto deficit to single digits. A dunk on the break by Rose (35 points) was all Rivers needed to see before he reinserted the starters. But the Raptors continued to close.
Morris Peterson nailed a 3-pointer to bring Toronto within 106-105 with 2:43 remaining. Then, another driving layup by Rose gave the Raptors their first lead (107-106) since the start of the third quarter. The comeback was particularly impressive considering Toronto lost Chris Bosh early in the fourth with a bruised lower back. The absence of Bosh reinforced the fact that Boston had only itself to blame. It was a combination of fouls, turnovers, and poorly defended shots that allowed the Raptors to rally. All the while, shouts from the FleetCenter crowd of 17,020 and the bench called for the Celtics to "wake up."
