BOSTON -- J.R. Giddens didn't know whether to sit or stand.

Set to make the first start of his NBA career, Giddens double-clutched when the lights dimmed for the Boston Celtics' pregame introductions Saturday night at TD Garden. For the past season-plus, Giddens has taken a spot standing in one of the two lines formed in front of the Boston bench to support the veteran starting five as it's introduced.

But playing without Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce, the Celtics used as radical a starting lineup as they have since Giddens arrived. It was only the second time this year Boston didn't have its typical starting five in place at the Garden (Garnett also sat out against Indiana on Dec. 22).

Giddens eventually settled down in his chair and enjoyed the moment.

And while his hesitation was a microcosm of his night -- Giddens passed up numerous opportunities to shoot while registering two points over a career-high 20 minutes -- his contributions and those of others unaccustomed to playing large roles helped Boston emerge with a thoroughly satisfying 103-96 triumph over the Toronto Raptors that snapped a three-game losing streak.

Kendrick Perkins, one Boston starter who's manged to avoid the injury bug, might have summed it up best: "J.R. is 1-0 as a starter, Lester Hudson] is 1-0 as a seventh man. It's all good."

Click HERE to read the full story.