Celtics win first title in 13 years

Updated: 2005-04-18 10:59

Paul Pierce had 25 points and 11 rebounds and the Boston Celtics celebrated their first Atlantic Division title in 13 years after a 103-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, left, takes off up the court as Toronto Raptors forward Morris Peterson tumbles the floor during first half NBA action in Toronto on Sunday April 17, 2005. [AP]

The Celtics wrapped up their first division title since Larry Bird's final season in 1991-92 when Philadelphia lost to New Jersey just minutes before Boston finished off the Raptors.

It's the 25th division crown for the Celtics, and it gives them the No. 3 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Celtics head to the postseason having won four straight and six of seven.

Pierce scored Boston's final five points on free throws. He went 11-for-13 from the line. Raef LaFrentz added 18 points for the Celtics, who outrebounded the Raptors 41-33.

Jalen Rose had 31 points for the lottery-bound Raptors, who have won just four of their last 14 games.

Marcus Banks' two free throws gave Boston a 14-point lead — their biggest lead of the game — with 9:23 left.

But Morris Peterson sparked an 11-0 run with consecutive layups as Toronto cut the lead to three with 6:26 remaining.

Antoine Walker's short jumper gave Boston a seven point lead with 2:35 left, but Rose converted a three-point play and hit a jumper to cut the lead to two with 1:55 left.

Pierce followed with two free throws, Walker blocked a shot on the other end and Pierce made one of two free throws to give Boston a 101-96 lead with 28 seconds left.

Pierce added two more from the line with 22 seconds remaining.  Fans booed Toronto center Rafael Araujo, who is averaging less than four points and four rebounds a game. First-year general manager Rob Babcock has been criticized for selecting Araujo with the eighth pick in the draft, one pick before Philadelphia took Andre Iguodala. Babcock has also been criticized for getting little in return for Vince Carter, and signing volatile point guard Rafer Alston to a six-year contract.

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