Celtics outlast Raptors in OT

The Toronto Raptors waged a fierce battle Monday night, but fell 115-109 in overtime to the Boston Celtics in the second leg of a home-and-home series at the TD Banknorth Garden. Paul Pierce led all scorers with 39 points, including nine in OT, as Boston swept the two-game set from Toronto. "There's players who play the game [and] there's players who absolutely love the game," Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said. "Paul is one of those love guys." "You all need to start playing some of that Superman theme music in the building when he is going like...read full article

NBA Backcourt Report: Celtics Top Toronto Twice

The Boston Celtics were able to beat the Toronto Raptors for the second night in a row, but they would need overtime to do it. Andrea Bargnani hit a 3-pointer with a second left in regulation to force the extra period, but the defending champs pulled away after that, finishing on top 115-109. Paul Pierce led Boston with 39 points, but his best work was done in overtime. Pierce started the period with a 3-pointer, finished with 9 points total, and the Celtics never looked back, leading the entire extra five minutes of play. The Celtics fought back from a 10-point deficit in...read full article

Celtics need overtime to subdue Raptors

Paul Pierce scores a season-high 39 points, nine of them in overtime, to lift Boston to a 115-109 victory at home.

at Boston 115, Toronto 109 (OT): Paul Pierce scored nine of his season-high 39 points in overtime and the Celtics swept a back-to-back, home-and-home series with the Raptors. One day after Ray Allen's 36 points led Boston to a 94-88 win in Toronto, Pierce led a comeback from a 10-point deficit midway through the third quarter and carried Boston (31-9) to its...read full article

Celtics fall at home 89-85 to Rockets

Von Wafer hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to give Houston the lead as the Rockets beat the slumping Boston Celtics 89-85 in the NBA on Wednesday. It was the sixth loss in eight games for the defending NBA champions, but their first at home since a Nov. 14 defeat to Denver sent them on a 19-game winning streak. Yao Ming had 26 points and eight rebounds, scoring on a putback with 12.9 seconds left to help the Rockets snap a three-game losing streak and a five-game road skid. Paul Pierce scored 26 points, and Kevin Garnett had 18 and eight rebounds...read full article

Rockets 89, Celtics 85: Slumping champs drop another

Okay, now it's serious. The Celtics have lost six of their last eight after the Houston Rockets, playing without the injured Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier, punched the defending world champs in their collective mouths, 89-85, at the Garden last night. What was thought of a few days ago as a natural bump in the road seems a little more serious than that this morning. Next up for Boston: the Cavs on the road tomorrow night. "(The Cavs) have been looking forward to this," said Paul Pierce. "We're going to get their best punch. The way they've been...read full article

Rockets hand struggling Celtics narrow defeat at home

Struggling NBA champions Boston Celtics suffered their third straight defeat after Houston Rockets edged them 89-85 at home on Wednesday. Houston guard Von Wafer made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 seconds left and Yao Ming added two of his team-high 26 in the final seconds to clinch victory. The Celtics entered the contest having lost five road games in their last seven contests, but the holders could not find any solace at home either. Paul Pierce led the way with 26 points for the Celtics, who scored a season-low 11 points in the fourth quarter to let the...read full article

Nearly perfect Pierce leads Celtics

Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics got over their disappointing West Coast swing in a hurry against the overmatched Washington Wizards. Pierce scored 26 points on nearly perfect shooting, and the NBA-leading Celtics beat Washington 108-83 on Friday night. "It always leaves a bad taste in your mouth,'' Pierce said. "Knowing that we're going to spend a large amount of this month on the road, it's good to get back home and finally get a taste of some winning.'' After an overnight flight Wednesday, coach Doc Rivers figured his players might be tired Friday. But...read full article

NBA: Celtics crush Wizards to improve to 18-1 at home

Paul Pierce scored 26 points on nearly perfect shooting and the Boston Celtics roared back from a rough road trip to beat the Washington Wizards 108-83 on Friday night. The Celtics went 1-3 on their West Coast swing after the best 29-game start in NBA history, 27-2. With the victory, they improved to 18-1 at home. Pierce made his first nine shots and all five 3-point attempts before missing his final shot, a 3-pointer, but Kendrick Perkins converted the offensive rebound with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter. Pierce left the game with 48 seconds...read full article