Celtics in foul mood

''I thought the double team would come and I'd have to pass it and then hope to get it back, but they went one-on-one," said Arenas, who scored 19 points. ''When I crossed over, he grabbed my arm. Then I went up. I didn't think he would reach for [the ball], so I was going to jump into [Kendrick Perkins]. But he reached and bailed me out."

When asked which win at the foul line was more satisfying, the one last night or the one Jan. 7, Arenas said, ''Both, but this one truthfully because it's the same repeat of the other. And it's [angering Celtics coach] Doc [Rivers]. He doesn't want to lose a game by a call at the end. Two free throws. It's a hard way to lose a game."

Rivers would be the first, but not the last on the Celtics side, to comment that the game should never have come down to two free throws. Despite the fact that Boston committed 17 turnovers (for 20 points), found itself on the wrong end of a few controversial (many would say blown) calls, and had a 12-point first-quarter lead turn into a 39-37 halftime advantage, the home team still should have won. Or so the Celtics (17-25) justifiably believed.

''This game was ours," Rivers said. ''We did all the right things. The turnovers hurt us. Unforced errors. Obviously missed free throws hurt us. We still should've won the game. But we didn't and there's nothing I can do about it. ''

The Celtics led, 81-74, after Pierce hit an 18-foot turnaround jumper with 4:12 remaining in the game. It finally seemed they had overcome three-plus quarters of inconsistent play and were ready to proceed toward victory. But not so fast.