Pierce leads Celtics
past the Pacers
Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutive points to pull away and beat the visiting Indiana Pacers 94-87 Friday night.
Pierce added 10 rebounds and eight assists to help Boston win its fourth consecutive game despite playing without starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal. Kevin Garnett and Mickael Pietrus added 13 points and eight rebounds apiece as the Celtics matched their longest winning streak of the year.
Danny Granger scored 21 points for Indiana, which had beaten Boston twice this season.
Bulls 107, Bucks 100 • Derrick Rose scored a season-high 34 points to lead Chicago to the win over visiting Milwaukee. He hit 14 of 24 from the floor and scored 18 of his points in the second half.
The Bucks played without center Andrew Bogut, who fractured his left ankle at Houston on Wednesday. Former Bull Drew Gooden started in place of Bogut and had 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
Hawks 107, Pistons 101 • Joe Johnson scored 28 of his 30 points after halftime, including a tying 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in regulation, as Atlanta stunned host Detroit in overtime.
Hornets 93, Magic 67 • Carl Landry scored 17 points and New Orleans snapped a nine-game losing streak by beating visiting Orlando.
Heat 99, Knicks 89 • LeBron James scored 31 points, Dwyane Wade scored 28 in his return from a sprained right ankle, and Miami won at home against New York.
Timberwolves 87, Spurs 79 • Ricky Rubio scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter and dished out 10 assists to lift Minnesota past visiting San Antonio.
Rockets 103, Wizards 76 • Chase Budinger scored a season-high 21 points, hitting four 3-pointers, Luis Scola added 19 points, and Houston blew out visiting Washington in the second half.
Nets 99, Cavaliers 96 • Deron Williams scored 27 points as visiting New Jersey won consecutive games for the first time this season.
76ers 89, Bobcats 72 • Lou Williams scored 17 points and Jrue Holiday had 15 to help Philadelphia win at home.
Mavericks 116, Jazz 101 • Roddy Beaubois had a season-high 22 points and Lamar Odom added 19 points to lead host Dallas.
Associated Press
