Garnett, Pierce reach milestones in Celtics' win

[March 14, 2013]  BOSTON (AP) -- Kevin Garnett scored 12 points, passing Jerry West for 15th on the NBA's career scoring list, and Paul Pierce joined him among the top 20 scorers in league history with 15 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 112-88 on Wednesday night.

Garnett needed four points to pass West (25,192 points) and Pierce entered the game nine points shy of tying Charles Barkley (23,757) for 20th.

Garnett hit a bank shot with 10:03 left in the second quarter and received a standing ovation when his milestone was announced during a stoppage a few minutes later. Boston fans returned to their feet again in the third to recognize Pierce, who responded with a salute back to the crowd.

It was a short night for Boston's 30-something stars, who were resting comfortably on the bench through the fourth quarter as their teammates finished off the Raptors.

Jeff Green scored 20 to lead the Celtics, who ended a two-game slide and won their 10th straight at home. Jason Terry and Jordan Crawford added 12 points apiece, while Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley both scored 11 for Boston.

Rudy Gay had 19 points and DeMar DeRozan added 17 points for the Raptors, who have lost seven of nine. Terrence Ross scored 13 for the Raptors, who got within four points before Boston blew it open in the third quarter.

After falling behind by 13 early in the third, Toronto scored nine straight to get right back in it. DeRozan scored 12 in the period, including a three-point play with 6:04 left that pulled Toronto within 60-56. Pierce answered with four straight to start Boston on a 14-4 run.

Bradley hit a jumper to put Boston up 66-58, then stole a pass and took it in for a layup.

Terry added a 3-pointer to end the run, giving Boston a 74-60 lead. The Celtics closed the period on a 21-6 run, leading 81-62 entering the fourth and making it a short night for Garnett.

NOTES: The Celtics outscored the Raptors 28-18 in the second quarter and led 49-40 at halftime. ... The Raptors announced Wednesday that forward Andrea Bargnani was expected to miss the rest of the season with an injury to his right elbow. ... Gay was a game-time decision after missing a game with a stiff back. ... Toronto's Sebastian Telfair received was ejected after the third quarter with his second technical of the game.

[Associated Press]

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