Raptor ejected in final quarter

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 16, 2004

TORONTO (AP) &045; Kevin Garnett didn’t like it when Matt Bonner took him down and celebrated, so Garnett went after him.

Chris Bosh had a season-high 24 points and 14 rebounds in Toronto’s 96-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, in a game where the Raptors’ Bonner was ejected for flagrantly fouling Garnett.

After Bonner knocked Garnett to the floor with 5:24 left in the fourth, Garnett charged the rookie forward. Official Anthony Jordan and Raptors coach Sam Mitchell held Garnett back, but Latrell Sprewell ran toward Bonner and pushed him.

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&uot;It was a hard foul. That really didn’t even spark me until I saw him pointing into the crowd like he’s some enforcer,&uot; Garnett said.

Bonner was ejected, and Sprewell received a technical foul.

Fans chanted &uot;Bonner! Bonner!&uot; and heckled Garnett, but nothing else came of the confrontation.

Bonner, called ‘Opie’ by his teammates, thanked Mitchell after the game.

&uot;I think his life flashed in front of his eyes when Latrell Sprewell and Kevin Garnett went running at him,&uot; Mitchell said. &uot;After the game he told me ‘Way to grab Kevin, coach.’ I told him, ‘You know what Matt, way to get out of the way.&uot;’

Bonner could receive a one-game suspension for the flagrant foul, but he thinks he won’t get anything once the league sees the replay.

&uot;I would never try to play dirty like that,&uot; Bonner said.

Bonner, a fan favorite, slapped hands with the fans as he left the court.

&uot;I felt a lot of pride for myself, the team, the whole city of Toronto that they support me so much,&uot; said Bonner, who said he’s never been ejected before in his life. &uot;I feel honored.&uot;

Bosh, who patterned his game after Garnett, came within one point and one rebound of career highs. The second-year forward, who has struggled recently, finished 11-of-21 from the field for the Raptors, who ended a seven-game losing streak.

&uot;It was real big, not only to win the game but to be an important part if it, it’s real special to me,&uot; Bosh said.

Garnett had 23 points and 15 rebounds, but made just 9 of 27 shots.

After Bonner’s ejection brought the crowd to life, Toronto’s Morris Peterson made an empathic dunk to give the Raptors an 87-81 lead with 4:47 left.