BOSTON — Paul Pierce missed his first 10 shots and then scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, including seven straight to put the Boston Celtics ahead for good in a 103-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
Pierce finished with 21 points, going 12 for 13 from the free throw line to make up for his slow start from the floor. Kendrick Perkins scored 19 points to go with eight rebounds, and Rasheed Wallace filled in for ailing Kevin Garnett with nine points and 13 rebounds.
Troy Murphy had 24 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for Indiana, which lost its fourth straight. Earl Watson scored all 18 of his points in the first half to help the Pacers open a 15-point halftime lead.
Lakers 111, Thunder 108
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the sixth time this season and NBA-leading Los Angeles shook off a rough first half before holding off Oklahoma City for its 16th victory in 17 games.
Pau Gasol had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the road-weary Lakers, who needed two last-minute free throws apiece from Bryant and Derek Fisher to win their first game back from a five-game road trip.
Wizards 105, 76ers 98
WASHINGTON — Brilliant at the beginning and end, and basically silent in between, Gilbert Arenas scored 31 points to lead Washington over Philadelphia, ending a three-game home losing streak.
Arenas scored the game’s first seven points and finished the opening quarter with 15. After adding only two points in each of the next two periods, he came back out of his shell in the fourth, scoring 12. He finished with eight rebounds but only two assists.
Knicks 88, Bulls 81
NEW YORK — David Lee rattled in the clinching jumper with 5.5 seconds left, finishing with 18 points and a career high-tying 21 rebounds as New York held on to beat Chicago.
One night after blowing a 35-point third-quarter lead in a home loss to Sacramento, the Bulls nearly battled back from a huge deficit in this one. But New York prevailed for its third straight victory and seventh in nine games.
Bobcats 88, Pistons 76
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gerald Wallace had 29 points and 12 rebounds in his return after missing a game with severe headaches, leading Charlotte over Detroit to snap a three-game skid.
Stephen Jackson added 13 points despite playing with a sore back for the sharp-shooting Bobcats, who held a comfortable lead over the final three quarters.
Hawks 112, Timberwolves 87
MINNEAPOLIS — Jamal Crawford scored 26 points and Joe Johnson added 21 points and six assists to lead Atlanta past Minnesota.
Al Horford had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Mike Bibby added 18 points and six assists for the Hawks (20-7), who tied the best start in franchise history.
Grizzlies 121, Warriors 108
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Zach Randolph scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and Memphis withstood Golden State’s strong start to beat Golden State.
Trail Blazers 85, Mavericks 81
DALLAS — Brandon Roy scored 23 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 12 rebounds and Portland rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Dallas.
Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and nine rebounds in his return from an elbow injury and J.J. Barea added 22 points for the Mavericks, who had won six of seven.
Rockets 108, Clippers 99
HOUSTON — Carl Landry matched his career high with 27 points in his first game back after dental surgery, helping Houston beat Los Angeles.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
