Celtics send Spurs to fourth straight loss

SAN ANTONIO -- Coach Doc Rivers had some strong advice for the Boston Celtics before their first stop on a tough three-game swing through Texas: Play hard, or else.

“Doc told us if we don’t pick up the energy, then we’re going to get embarrassed in here,” said Kevin Garnett, who had 21 points in Boston’s 93-91 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.

And for the first two quarters, it looked as if that might happen with the Spurs leading by as many as 22 points.

Paul Pierce had 22 points for the Celtics, who were without Ray Allen (jammed left ankle) for the second straight game. Rajon Rondo added 20 points.

Former Clippers guard Sam Cassell had 17 points and gave Boston its first lead of the fourth quarter with 46 seconds left when he made a three-point basket to make it 89-87.

“He’s got a lot of experience. That’s why we brought him in,” Pierce said of Cassell. “Late in the game, that’s what he does.”

Manu Ginobili had 32 points to lead the Spurs, who lost their season-high fourth in a row and have dropped six of their last seven.

San Antonio trailed, 93-89, with 9.6 seconds left. Tony Parker then got an easy basket for San Antonio but it appeared too late for the Spurs. But with two seconds -- and a timeout -- left Bruce Bowen stole the ball from Garnett on the inbounds play and passed to Robert Horry, whose three-point attempt missed at the buzzer.

Around the league

Washington Wizards point guard Gilbert Arenas said there was still no timetable for his return from Nov. 21 knee surgery despite an MRI exam Monday that showed it was fully healed. He and the team said increased workouts would determine his playing status. . . . New York Knicks center Eddy Curry had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove torn cartilage and is expected to miss the rest of the season.