Paul Pierce scored 36 points to spark Boston over Miami 112-108 in over-time on Wednesday, sealing the Atlantic Division crown for the reigning NBA champions.
The Celtics improved to 51-18, 15 games ahead of nearest division rivals Philadelphia with only 13 remaining in the regular season and one game atop Orlando for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland.
Miami were without NBA leading scorer Dwyane Wade, who missed his first game of the season after being sidelined by a right hip flexor.
PHOTO: EPA
But the Celtics were minus stars as well, with Kevin Garnett out for his 13th game in a row because of a right knee strain and guard Ray Allen sidelined after suffering an elbow injury in Chicago.
The game was deadlocked at 100-100 after regulation, but the Celtics jumped on top quickly in the five-minute extra session, Eddie House and Pierce sinking three-pointers and Rondo adding a layup for a 108-100 Boston edge.
Rajon Rondo scored 27 points for Boston, who had 16 points from House and 13 more from Kendrick Perkins. Pierce grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Heat, 36-31 to stand fifth in the East, were led by 21 points from Michael Beasley and 19 by Mario Chalmers.
ROCKETS 106, PISTONS 101
In Houston, Yao Ming scored 31 points and had 15 rebounds on Wednesday as the Rockets downed a depleted Detroit in double over-time.
Houston scored on their first five possessions of the second period of over-time to take a 10-point lead as Aaron Brooks made a three-pointer, Ron Artest scored on back-to-back drives and Yao sank a pair of jump shots to give the Rockets their biggest lead of the night.
The Pistons kept coming, as Arron Afflalo and Walter Hermann each sank three-pointers and Hermann added a free-throw.
But Brooks’ two free throws with 25 seconds remaining put the lead back to five and after Afflalo missed a three-point attempt, Brooks made two more free throws to seal the victory.
Detroit were playing their second game in as many nights without the injured Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Allen Iverson.
They had lost three of their prior four games, but kept the Rockets in their sights all night.
Afflalo, starting for Hamilton for the second straight game, led the Pistons with 24 points and Antonio McDyess scored 14 points with 20 rebounds.
The Pistons appeared to have an opportunity when Rodney Stuckey made one of two free throws to tie the game at 82 with 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Detroit forced a turnover, but Herrmann missed a wide-open three-pointer as time expired in regulation.
SUNS 126, 76ERS 116
In Phoenix, Jason Richardson scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, while Shaquille O’Neal had 26 points and 11 rebounds in Phoenix’s win over Philadelphia.
Steve Nash added 24 points and 10 assists to help the Suns move within four games of idle Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Andre Miller had 23 points and eight assists, while Thaddeus Young also had 23 points for Philadelphia.
Wednesday’s other NBA results:
• Hornets 94, Timberwolves 93
• Bulls 103, Thunder 96
• Magic 106, Bucks 80
• Nets 115, Knicks 89
• Trail Blazers 95, Pacers 85
• Bobcats 104, Kings 88
• Nuggets 111, Grizzlies 109
• Clippers 123, Wizards 108
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