The Boston Celtics derailed the Dallas Mavericks’ bid to move into second place in the Western Conference with a 102-93 victory on Saturday.
Paul Pierce scored 29 points for the Atlantic Division leading Celtics, who won their fourth successive game, while Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas, the Southwest Division’s top team, with 28 points.
Pierce had 17 points in the second half, when the Celtics shot a torrid 68.8 percent.
“He’s starting to get his confidence,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of Pierce. “I got on him in a timeout because I thought he was looking to pass too much. I told him to just be aggressive, just be who you are, and he was that.”
Pierce’s three-pointer with 1:44 to play turned a one-point Boston lead into a more comfortable four-point cushion.
He then stole a pass from Nowitzki and fed Rajon Rondo for a fast-break lay-up to put away the Mavericks, who had won 14 of their previous 15 games.
Rondo finished with 20 points and Ray Allen had 21 for Boston.
“Rondo was really key down the stretch,” Mavericks center Brendan Haywood said. “He made a lot of plays for their team. I think they really fed off his energy.”
Dallas trailed by only a point at the half, but let Boston open up a nine-point lead on an Allen three-pointer in the third quarter.
“We were playing from behind for most of the night,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “That made it tough. You’ve got to be able to get some stops. We didn’t get stops. That was our undoing.”
A win would have lifted the Mavericks past Denver into second place behind the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference.
BULLS 98, 76ERS 84
Derrick Rose scored 23 points in his return from a sprained left wrist as the Chicago Bulls snapped their losing streak at 10 games with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kirk Hinrich added 17 points and 11 assists, Brad Miller had 16 points, and Hakim Warrick 13 for the Bulls, 2 1/2 games behind Toronto for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Marreese Speights had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia.
RAPTORS 100, NETS 90
At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Chris Bosh scored 36 points as Toronto handed New Jersey its seventh straight loss and 13th in a row at home.
Jarrett Jack added 15 points for Raptors, 3-10 in its last 13 games. Devin Harris had 22 for New Jersey.
HEAT 77, BOBCATS 71
At Miami, Quentin Richardson scored all 18 of his points on three-pointers and Michael Beasley added 16 points as Miami moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Dwyane Wade had 14 points on a poor shooting night, but made up for it with nine assists and five blocks to help Miami move a half-game ahead of Charlotte.
Stephen Jackson led Charlotte with 18 points.
BUCKS 102, NUGGETS 97
At Denver, Carlos Delfino had 26 points and John Salmons added 21 to make up for Andrew Bogut’s off-night as Milwaukee downed Denver.
Bogut, who averages 16.3 points and 10.4 rebounds, was limited to two points and three rebounds in 15 minutes. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups each scored 29 points for Denver, but Anthony missed a series of shots in the final minutes.
GRIZZLIES 123, WARRIORS 107
At Memphis, Tennessee, Rudy Gay scored 25 points and O. J. Mayo added 21 to help Memphis hand Golden State its 13th consecutive road loss.
Zach Randolph finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Darrell Arthur matched his career high with 16 points and had a season-best 13 rebounds.
Monta Ellis led Golden State with 28 points.
JAZZ 106, HORNETS 86
At Salt Lake City, Paul Millsap had 22 points and 15 rebounds, C.J. Miles scored 19 points, and Deron Williams added 17 points and 11 assists for Utah.
The Jazz pulled away with a 17-1 run at the end of the second quarter and led by 35 in the second half. Marcus Thornton led New Orleans with 19 points.
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