INQUIRER Sports

BOSTON -- Paul Pierce battled through the pain of a sore knee to score a season-high 39 points and lift the Boston Celtics to a 115-109 win over Toronto on Monday.

Team captain Pierce also scored nine points in overtime for the Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden arena.

"Actually, I feel pretty good, could have played another quarter, I think. I'm feeling pretty good," Pierce said.

Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Boston, which blew a four-point lead in the final 25 seconds of the National Basketball Association game but rebounded with a team-record 22 points in the extra period.

It was Pierce who got the scoring underway in the overtime with a three-pointer.

"Ya'll need to start playing some of that Superman theme music in the building when he's going like that," Garnett said of his teammate. "This is Clark Kent right here, ladies and gentleman. He was 13-for-26 tonight with 39 points, nine rebounds and four assists."

"Superman. I'll be Batman, I'll be Robin, I'll be anybody you want me to be. I'll be the garbage man. But this is Clark Kent right here."

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said he was only 50-50 on Pierce playing on Monday night because of his baulky right knee.

Brian Scalabrine came up big for the injured Kendrick Perkins, adding 11 points for the Celtics, who improved to 31-9 overall and 19-2 at home.

Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points for Toronto, including a three-pointer with one second remaining to send the game into the extra period.