Amir Johnson lifts Toronto Raptors over Boston Celtics
Amir Johnson converted two free throws with 2.7 seconds left in the game, leading the struggling Toronto Raptors to a 102-101 upset win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday 21 November at the
Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
Johnson, who finished the game with 17 points and 11 rebounds, snatched an offensive rebound off a missed lay-up from Leandro Barbosa, and then drew a foul from Paul Pierce that led to the
game-winning free throws.
“I was comfortable,” said Johnson when asked about what he was feeling before the taking the free throws. “I was showing them we were going to win this game. The only thing going through
my mind was that I was going to make these throws and we were going to win the game.”
Andrea Bargnani also had a share of the spotlight with his 29 points, Sonny Weems added 16 points, while Reggie Evans scored nine points and grabbed 16 rebounds, helping the Raptors snap
their eight-game losing skid.
The Raptors were down by three points, 101-98, with 21.3 seconds left in the game, but they refused to give as Weems converted a lay-up, followed by a huge steal from Barbosa, who went coast-to-coast
for a lay-up, but was blocked by Pierce. However, Johnson recovered the ball that led to the game-winning foul shots.
Boston had a chance to win the game, but Pierce missed the potential game-winner for the Celtics.
“I thought I got a great look there for the last shot but it shouldn't even have come down to it,” said Pierce, whose last shot was contested by Weems.
Nate Robinson, who started in place of injured point guard Rajon Rondo, had 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting for Boston, while Ray Allen and Pierce chipped in 19 points apiece. The Celtics
absorbed their second-straight defeat after losing against the Kevin Durant-less Oklahoma City Thunder, 89-84, on Friday 19 November.
“I know we're a better team than those two teams, I know we are,” said Pierce, referring to Oklahoma City and Toronto. “It's just mentally coming out and having the right mindset. I don't
think we have the right mindset coming into these games against opponents that we're supposed to beat.”
Kevin Garnett, who finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, expressed his disappointment over their defensive mentality in their last two games, saying that they seemed to under-estimate
their opponents.
“We can't just show up. We've got to play some D,” said Garnett, who shot 6-for-12 from the field. “These teams we're playing against are very high-calibre offence teams. We know what they
are. On paper they might not be whatever but as far as talent, this league has a lot of talent and you've got to respect that.”
Toronto’s new recruits, Jerryd Bayless and Peja Stojakovic, who were both acquired from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for Jarrett Jack, David Andersen, and Marcus Banks, did not suit
up. They are expected to play on Wednesday 24 November against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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