Celtics forward Paul Piercebattles Toronto forward Jamario Moon for a loose ball during the first half last night. Pierce hit for a season-high 39 points.

AP / Charles Krupa

BOSTON — Superman shook off the Kryptonite, which in this case was a sore right knee, as Boston’s captain, Paul Pierce, torched Toronto for a season-high 39 points and 9 rebounds last night at the TD Banknorth Garden to carry the Celtics to a thrilling 115-109 overtime victory over the upset-minded Raptors.

“That was Superman,” Boston forward Kevin Garnett said of Pierce’s performance, adding that the Superman theme song should be played in the Garden whenever Pierce gets it going like he did last night.

The win was Boston’s second in as many nights after losing seven of nine.

“These games are tough, back-to-back,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “You rarely win them both so there are a lot of good things about this win. To win back-to-back games in this league during the regular season, usually it’s a split. It’s like playing a doubleheader and we won both, so I’ll take them.”

Rivers said he didn’t even think Pierce was going to play before the game after he injured his right knee on Sunday in Toronto. In that game, he collided with teammate Brian Scalabrine and was “questionable” for last night’s game.

But he was certainly glad Pierce played.

“He’s as tough as nails, plus he has such a love for the game,” Rivers said. “He’s able to play through pain because of the love for the game.”

“It takes a lot to keep me off the court,” Pierce said. “I was a little ginger but I got some much-needed rest last night and this morning.”

“He performed unbelievable,” Boston forward Leon Powe said of Pierce.

Garnett (20 points, 12 rebounds), who made his 1,000th career start last night and scored his 21,000th career point, Ray Allen (12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), Brian Scalabrine (11 points) and Powe (10 points, 7 rebounds) also reached double figures for Boston.

The Celtics looked to Pierce in overtime and he delivered, scoring nine points in the extra session.

“He performed unbelievable,” Powe said. “He came out here and willed the game.”

His performance helped Boston set a franchise record for points in overtime as the Celtics outscored the Raptors, 22-16, in the extra period.

“In overtime it wasn’t really about my aggressiveness,” Pierce said. “The couple of shots that I got were from ball movement, and I was able to knock them down.”

It didn’t take long.

Pierce started the ovetime scoring by burying a 3-pointer to give Boston a 96-93 cushion, but Anthony Parker came right back with an 11-foot jump shot to make it 96-95.

Pierce responded with a 23-foot jumper and Rajon Rondo followed that up with a layup to increase Boston’s advantage to 100-95 with 2:43 left.

Toronto called a timeout to regroup and they did just that. Roko Ukic drove right to the basket for a lay-in.

Allen answered with a 3-pointer, but Ukic responded with a layup to slash Boston’s advantage to 103-99.

Pierce then found Powe open underneath on Boston’s ensuing possession. He passed him the ball and Powe scored and was fouled on the play. But he missed the free throw.

Boston made all eight of its free throws in the final minute of overtime to seal the win.

“They played very well in the overtime period and made shots when they had to,” Toronto coach Jay Triano said of Boston.

Toronto was able to take advantage of the absence of Boston starting center Kendrick Perkins, who missed his second straight game with a left-shoulder injury.

Its front line, sans Jermaine O’Neal (knee), combined to score 49 points.

roblee@projo.com