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Late Pierce burst lifts Celtics to victory

Memphis Grizzlies' Pau Gasol, left, loses control of the ball while battling Detroit Pistons' Antonio McDyess during their NBA game on Saturday, in Memphis, Tennessee. PHOTO: AP

Paul Pierce atoned for a woeful shooting effort with a 3-pointer late in regulation and two jumpers in overtime to lift the Boston Celtics over the New Jersey Nets 96-88 in the NBA on Saturday.

Al Jefferson scored a career-high 32 points and added 18 rebounds in helping Boston rally from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and post their third straight win. The Celtics recently lost a franchise-record 18 in a row.

Pierce shot just 8-of-28 from the floor and finished with 17 points. Delonte West added 15, including a 3-pointer with 4 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.

Cavaliers 120, Raptors 97

At Cleveland, LeBron James kept up his midseason scoring surge with 36 points and Larry Hughes added 27, leading Cleveland to an easy win over Toronto.

By scoring more than 30 for the third straight game, James raised his average to 33.6 points in his past seven games.

Knicks 104, Hawks 100, OT

At Atlanta, Stephon Marbury scored 11 of his 38 points in overtime and New York made up a late 15-point deficit to hand Atlanta its fifth straight loss.

Steve Francis added six of his season-high 26 points in the overtime. Marbury and Francis scored all of New York's 17 points in the extra period and 33 of the Knicks' last 35 points.

Pistons 92, Grizzlies 89

At Memphis, Tennessee, Chauncey Billups had 19 points and nine assists, and Tayshaun Prince scored 17 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:17 left, to lead Detroit.

Chris Webber scored 13 points for Detroit, while Richard Hamilton finished with 12. Antonio McDyess had nine points, but added eight rebounds and five blocks.

Spurs 97, Rockets 74

At Houston, Tim Duncan scored 26 points and San Antonio beat Houston for its season-high eighth straight victory.

The Spurs got 14 points from Michael Finley and 13 points and eight rebounds from Francisco Elson as they won in Houston for the fourth straight time.

Mavericks 103, Magic 98

At Dallas, Jason Terry had 29 points and 15 assists, and Dallas established a club record with its 15th consecutive victory.

Dirk Nowitzki contributed 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Josh Howard added 21 points.

Kings 104, Trail Blazers 96

At Portland, Oregon, Kevin Martin scored 15 of his 33 points in the first quarter and Sacramento won its third straight.

Zach Randolph had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Portland, which never led and committed 18 turnovers.

Clippers 87, Pacers 64

At Los Angeles, Corey Maggette scored 20 points, Elton Brand added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and the Clippers recorded their best defensive game in franchise history.

Jamaal Tinsley had 16 points for Indiana, which lost for the fifth straight time since beating Milwaukee in double overtime on Feb. 21.
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