The Toronto Raptors were short a couple of key frontcourt players.

BOSTON - The Toronto Raptors were short a couple of key frontcourt players. Devonte Graham Jersey . It didnt matter because Kyle Lowry stepped up big.Lowry scored 35 points and had a key steal in the closing minute to lead the Raptors to a 110-107 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.With big men Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas sidelined, Lowry took over for the Raptors in the second quarter and carried them from there.He came out aggressive, forward DeMar DeRozan said. We need him to do that.DeRozan had 23 points and Patrick Patterson added 14 for Toronto, but it was Lowry that Boston coach Brad Stevens praised.I said before the game that he probably should have been an All-Star last year, Stevens said. It looks like he took that one seriously because he looked like one tonight.It came after the Raptors fell behind by 16 points in the first quarter.We cant be that way, coach Dwane Casey said. It shouldnt have to come from me to crack the whip at every turn to get us going.Rajon Rondo led Boston with a triple-double of 13 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Jeff Green had 20 points for the Celtics, who have lost three straight after a season-opening win over Brooklyn.They were missing some guys and he knew he needed to step up, and did his job, Boston forward Kelly Olynyk said of Lowry.With the score tied at 105, Lowry stripped rookie Marcus Smart and fed DeRozan for a fast-break layup with 33 seconds left. He was fouled on the play and hit the free throw.If he got by me he would have got a layup, Lowry said. I knew DeMars always going to trail me. I was just hoping he was hurrying up.Rondos two free throws sliced it to one, but Lowry nailed a fadeaway jumper from the left wing with 8 seconds to play.Green back-rimmed a long 3 and Bostons Jared Sullinger grabbed the rebound, but time ran out.Boston had overcome a horrible shooting stretch filled with turnovers, rallying to tie it at 105 on Smarts 3-pointer from the top with 1:10 to play.The Celtics trailed 102-97 with 2 1/2 minutes left.Toronto trailed by seven, but closed the third quarter with an 11-2 spree, taking its first lead since the games opening basket on a driving floater at the buzzer by Lou Williams.Leading 88-86 after three, the Raptors pushed it to 92-86 on James Johnsons steal and breakaway jam with just over nine minutes left. The Celtics went 5 1/2 minutes without a basket.After Sullingers three-point play — Bostons only basket in a 10 1/2 minute stretch — cut it to 94-92, the Raptors scored the next six points. The Celtics had already committed 27 turnovers midway into the final quarter and finished with 28.Lowry scored 14 points in the third quarter, taking over by handling the ball for long stretches before either driving to the middle of Bostons defence or hitting long jumpers.The Celtics had opened a 27-11 lead eight minutes into the game, but the Raptors — sparked by Lowrys nine points — got back in it with a 15-0 run over a 3 1/2 minute stretch late in the second quarter and closed it to 57-54 at halftime.___TIP-INSRaptors: C Valanciunas did not play after leaving Tuesdays win over Oklahoma City with a bruise on his right hand at the start of the second quarter. He returned to that game, but left again after getting accidentally hit in the face. Theres nothing broke, everythings negative, Casey said before the game. A little bit of everything. He got beat up pretty good, got hit in the nose, and cracked his knuckle on somebodys knee or something. ... F Johnson (sore left ankle) missed his third straight, but Casey said he expects him to return Friday.Celtics: C Vitor Faverani, who had off-season knee surgery in Europe, was back with the team. Theres a long way to go before he gets back on the court, Stevens said.WHAT A NIGHTLowry was 12 of 17 from the floor, nailing two from beyond the 3-point line. He also was 9 of 10 from the free throw line, had four assists and four rebounds in 35 1/2 minutes. Hes just really good, Stevens said.SIZZLING STARTThe Celtics hit 15 of 19 shots in the opening quarter en route to a 35-23 lead after one.UP NEXTRaptors: Host Washington on Friday.Celtics: Host Indiana Friday. Cheap Swingman Hornets Jerseys .Best moustache: How can we not give this to Lanny McDonald? Check out the duster for yourself. Cheap Charlotte Hornets Jerseys .com) - Colorado may be ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference standings, but they are a club that the Avalanche may want to avoid in the playoffs. http://www.cheaphornetsjerseys.com/ . Not Peyton Manning. Hes holding on to the heartache to stoke his competitive fire. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '