BOSTON -- CELTICS C2

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before his team's final preseason game last night that it was by design that Boston will have a full week to get ready for its regular-season opener.

At the time the schedule was made, it probably was to make sure that the Celts had as much time as possible to work out the rough spots. While that's still true, it also will be nice to have that time to get everyone as close to 100 percent physically as possible.

Boston faced Toronto last night without Paul Pierce, Theo Ratliff and Brian Scalabrine, all of whom are nursing injuries, and also had to be cautious with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West as they returned from ailments.

Still, the Green made it interesting -- as they likely will do all season -- before falling, 106-102, to Toronto, which is unbeaten in the preseason.

Pierce, who has an infected left middle finger, and Scalabrine, with a separated left shoulder, are expected to be at the team's next practice tomorrow afternoon. According to Rivers, it will be a surprise if Ratliff, who has not played since the team's third preseason game on Oct. 13 because of a bad back, is able to practice over the weekend.

But Boston needs him to return. Ratliff was penciled in as the team's starting center going into the season. Even though he is 33, Ratliff brings an interior presence the Celtics have not had in some time. Without him, Boston would have a very young frontcourt.

Ratliff's return also is affecting the way Rivers looks at his team. With the up-tempo style he wants to play, Rivers thinks it best that Boston go 10 players deep each game. But until Ratliff is able to play again, he may be forced to go with a nine-man rotation.

"I'm probably at nine (players targeted for the rotation)," Rivers said. "With the speed we want to play at, though, you almost have to go 10."

Last night, 12 players took to the parquet for the Celts, with Szczerbiak, who rehabbed his surgically repaired left knee during the offseason, leading the way offensively. He netted a game-high 27 points, on 10-for-19 shooting. Sebastian Telfair added 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and West (back strain) scored 17, plus 5 boards and 5 assists.

Rivers said before and after the game that he'd like to play better defense without fouling, and that didn't happen last night. The Celts committed 32 fouls.

Though they played only a few minutes together in the eight-game preseason, Rivers wants to get Pierce, West and Szczerbiak on the floor together over the next few days of practice. He also said his team will hone two new defensive looks that he hasn't yet unveiled.

Morris Peterson had 21 points for the Raptors, who played without Chris Bosh (left heel) and T.J. Ford (left hamstring).

smanza@projo.com / (401) 277-7340